Milos Lujic has runs on the board at South Melbourne but A-League light refuses to shine

ONE of the leading National Premier League strikers, South Melbourne’s Milos Lujic, says there are elements of the A-League that do not appeal to him.

Milos Lujic in action for South Melbourne during the FFA Cup Round of 32.

MILOS Lujic is widely regarded as one of the top National Premier League strikers.

After four years at South Melbourne, he sits behind only Paul Trimboli, Vaughan Coveny and Jim Armstrong on the club’s list of all-time league goalscorers

And yet, with where the 27-year-old primary school teacher is in life, playing in the A-League isn’t 100 per cent appealing to him.

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If the right offer came along, sure, Lujic would take the chance.

And he’s had a crack before, with a month on trial at Sydney FC and two weeks as an injury replacement at Wellington.

Neither 2013 stint worked out and so the AIS graduate has gone about compiling a fearsome NPL goalscoring record.

Milos Lujic competes in the air against Edgeworth Eagles. Picture: Getty Images

Lujic said his A-League prospects have gone cold.

And right now, with a family to also think about, that sits fine with the Springvale White Eagles junior considering the minimum A-League wage is about $55,000.

“Let’s face it, there’s not enough money in the A-League to change your life,” Lujic said.

“One contract in Europe definitely could, but on minimum wage in the A-League, in terms of where you are in your life, you’re back to square one — especially if you’re sitting on the bench or in the stands.

“And I’ve seen that happen before. Andy Brennan was with us, went to Newcastle for a year and now he’s back with Bentleigh.

“You’d have to speak to the coaches and find out their plans. You can never be given any guarantees, but you want to know you’re going to be given a chance to prove yourself.

“Obviously the finances would have to be right, I don’t want to be on that minimum contract at this point in my life.

“It’s a bit different for the younger boys, maybe, because it could change their life if it pans out well. And if I was 20-21 again I’d get out there and look all over the world, too.

Milos Lujic heads home a dramatic late winner against Edgeworth. Picture: Getty Images

“But with where I’m at, it’s not that appealing.”

Lujic, with 15 goals in the league this season, scored the last gasp winner against Edgeworth Eagles in the FFA Cup’s Round of 32 last month.

On Wednesday night South takes on Western Australia’s Sorrento FC at Lakeside Stadium for a spot in the quarter-finals.

And Lujic wants a more routine victory this time around for the sake of his club’s diehard fans.

“Luckily I got my head to one in the last minute, it was a great feeling and a big win for the club,” he said.

“It was definitely up there as one of my biggest goals.

“There’s been a few over the years, but in the context of the match and the club pushing for an A-League spot it was definitely important.”

FFA CUP - ROUND OF 16

SOUTH MELBOURNE v SORRENTO FC

Wednesday, August 23 at Lakeside Stadium, 7.30pm

@MattyHeraldSun

Originally published as Milos Lujic has runs on the board at South Melbourne but A-League light refuses to shine