Melbourne Victory’s Roly Bonevacia preparing for what could be his final game for the club
A short-term contract could lead to a lifelong memory for a Melbourne Victory midfielder.
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Melbourne Victory midfielder Roly Bonevacia’s uncertain future beyond Saturday night’s A-League grand final has him desperate to win the title.
Bonevacia, 32, joined the Victory in February in a deal until the end of the season.
The former Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers star – who spent five years plying his trade in the Middle East before returning to the A-League – had to bide his time on the Victory bench but has started in three of the Melbourne club’s past four games.
In six A-League seasons across two stints, the Netherlands-born Curacao international is set make his first appearance in a decider when the Victory bid to end Central Coast Mariners’ dream of a treble this weekend in Gosford.
“I’d love to win something,” Bonevacia said.
“I’ve absolutely loved it here at the Victory. It’s shown me that patience and consistency will win you the race.
“If the opportunity is there for me to stay beyond this season, I would love to stay here … but for now I’m a free agent and not contracted for next season, so I’m not sure.”
Bonevacia has enjoyed the chance to again be coached by Victory mentor Tony Popovic, having worked under him at the Wanderers for a short time in 2017.
“The coach is good. He expects hard work, no matter what, and I like that,” he said.
Popovic’s own future remains clouded beyond the grand final, with the Victory standing firm on the financial terms of a new deal that doesn’t match what the coach is earning under his soon-to-be expired contract.
The Victory’s clash the Mariners will be the fifth time Popovic has coached an A-League grand final team and he’s yet to win one.
He did, however, guide the Victory to Australia Cup glory in February 2022.
And the team the Victory beat 2-1 in the Cup final? The Mariners.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Popovic said of the grand final.
“I’ll try to play my part in helping the players be ready for another big match.”
Originally published as Melbourne Victory’s Roly Bonevacia preparing for what could be his final game for the club
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