It has been an interesting off-season for the heart of the Melbourne Victory midfield.
It has been an interesting off-season for the heart of the Melbourne Victory midfield.
The departure of Billy Celeski to play in the UAE and the constant speculation around a potential English Premier League move for Mark Milligan has no doubt kept Victory coach Ange Postecoglou-s mind ticking over throughout the break.
Victory captain Milligan is now likely to be partnered in the centre of the park by club stalwart Leigh Broxham who is going into his eighth season in the navy blue and is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“Most A-League players are hanging for the season to start as it is a long off-season but I am getting excited now," said Broxham.
“The pre-season has been pretty good. We had the Liverpool game, had a break and now have been back into it pretty solidly, playing a fair few games and building towards the start of the season.
“Physically and mentally I am ready to go and none of us have any excuses as the pre-season has been long enough.”
Broxham only started 15 of his 25 appearances last season and will be looking to make a spot in the starting 11 his own in 2013/14.
“I think you come into every year and starting is always the goal. If you ask most players, they'll want to play every minute.
“Last year I didn't play as much at the start of the season but adapted to what Ange wanted and began to get more time out on the pitch.
“I'm hoping to build on last season but there is a lot of competition for spots.”
Having been at the club so long Broxham admits former club captain and now assistant coach Kevin Muscat has helped him to continue to progress as a player.
“When I first started he (Muscat) was captain and I learnt a lot from him when I was starting out in my pro-career.
“He has had a lot of influence on my career and on that of many of the other younger players at the club and I am still learning from him today.”
Alongside Muscat in the dugout is head coach Postecoglou who is looking for success in his second season at the club.
“Each coach has their own style and Ange definitely has his own.
“He is taking the club in the right direction and his investment in youth shows he is not short-sighted in terms of where the club is going.
“Ange manages to get the best out of the players he has got, has a great football philosophy and if we as players buy into it then we will have success like we have had in the past.”
The Victory finished third last season and after beating Perth Glory in an elimination final went down to eventual grand final winners Central Coast Mariners.
“We know we fell a bit short last season and it is obviously a priority to do better.
“We want to be more consistent and build towards making the final this year."
The Victory played their final pre-season match against A-League opposition last Sunday and claimed a strong 3-0 win over the Western Sydney Wanderers to put them in the right frame of mind for the long year ahead.
“It was a good game where we scored early and then all the boys put in a good performance.
“Everyone is looking sharp and it was good to go down before hand to do some community work in and around Hobart.”
Broxham and his teammates kick off their season in what is set to be an epic Melbourne derby with Harry Kewell lining up against his former Victory side.
The match is on Saturday October 12 with kick-off at 7:30pm. Tickets are available here.