New Victory striker ‘didn’t want to play’ for Perth Glory

Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich says it was “easy” for him to agree to Melbourne Victory’s new striker leaving Perth.

Bruno Fornaroli is ‘excited’ ahead of his likely Melbourne Victory debut on Friday night. Picture: Albert Perez / Getty Images

Having “refused” to warm Perth Glory’s bench, an “excited” Bruno Fornaroli is poised to make his Melbourne Victory debut on Friday night against the Newcastle Jets at AAMI Park.

After joining the Victory this week as an injury-replacement player for sidelined defender Matthew Spiranovic (foot), the former Glory and Melbourne City ace is set to add a new attacking dimension to the Tony Popovic-coached team.

“He’s excited (and) he wants to play,” Popovic said on Thursday.

“He completed one full session (on Wednesday). The medical staff will … check him again after training (on Thursday), then we’ll make a decision.”

However, there seems little doubt veteran marksman Fornaroli – who controversially parted ways with Perth last week – will play for a Victory side desperate to find the back of the net after three games without a goal.

“We’re delighted he’s here,” said Popovic, who has previously coached Fornaroli in Perth.

“Circumstances for players can change very quickly at their clubs and an opportunity was there for us.

“I’ve worked with Bruno. We feel he’s a great asset for our football club; his experience and the way in which he plays is a little different to the players that we have.”

Bruno Fornaroli ‘refused’ to sit on Perth Glory’s bench. Picture: AAP / Brendon Thorne

Glory coach Ruben Zadkovich said it was “easy” for him agree to the termination of Fornaroli’s Perth contract.

“Bruno, while he’s a big loss for the club, he’s also 35 years old and at the back end of his career, and we need someone that’s going to spearhead this rebuild,” Zadkovich said.

“We need to move on as a club. It was pretty simple. Bruno wasn’t chosen to start in a game, and then refused to sit on the bench and he didn’t want to play.

“Once a player makes that decision, that he doesn’t want to put his body on the line for the team, it becomes really easy for me. You just pick the ones that do.

“Long-term and bigger picture for the club, we need to move past a 35-year-old striker at the end of his career as a marquee.”

Apart from Fornaroli, the Victory will also welcome back captain Josh Brillante, who missed last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Brisbane Roar through suspension after being sent off in his side’s 2-0 loss to Melbourne City on October 22.

“He’s our captain, he’s our leader, so we want him back in there as soon as possible,” Popovic said.

“He’s very determined to get back out there and play his part.”

Originally published as New Victory striker ‘didn’t want to play’ for Perth Glory