Another big name could be set to join the exodus of experienced A-League players at season’s end, with Melbourne City’s Eugene Galekovic still mulling over his playing future.
Unlike Matt McKay, Carl Valeri, Alex Brosque, Mark Bridge and Brendon Santalab — to name a few of this season’s vintage crop of retirements — Galekovic is yet to make up his mind.
“My focus hasn’t been on my future it’s been on just trying to win a trophy,” he said.
That means Sunday’s elimination final clash with Adelaide United could be the last match the competition stalwart plays.
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No goalkeeper has played more A-League matches than Galekovic, with 287 starts.
With 83 clean sheets, the 37-year-old could yet join or overtake Danny Vukovic’s all-time record of 85 shutouts before the finals are done.
If City do finish their season with a loss at Coopers Stadium, at least it will be a fitting way for the legend to go out.
After starting out as Melbourne Victory’s foundation goalkeeper, Galekovic called The Reds home for almost a decade, starring in the club’s emotional double win of 2015-16.
The four-time A-League goalkeeper of the year then returned to his native Melbourne to join City.
With just eight outings last season and the arrival of well-pedigreed gloveman Mark Birighitti, Galekovic considered retirement prior to this campaign.
Instead, he re-doubled his effort, keeping Birighitti out of the side and winning the club’s player of the year award.
“The season I had last year, I didn’t want to finish on that,” he said.
“I gave everything this year. I treated training like it was my last training session, my games like they’re my last games.
“I’ve come to the end of the season and the finals and I’m happy with how the season’s gone but we haven’t achieved anything as of now.
“There’s three games to go and I want to achieve something for this group. My body feels fine. It’s a decision I have to make soon about which way I want to go.”
The popular figure won support from club captain Scott Jamieson to stay on.
“I don’t see no reason why not. [If] you win the player of the year, you’ve done really well,” Jamieson said.
“For me he’s the best goalkeeper to perform in the A-League … he’s been the best.”
Jamieson revealed Galekovic may have another offer in his inbox.
“It’s up to him whether he sees the goalkeeping coach role a nice one to slip into and have his feet up,” Jamieson said.
“I just know there’s a goalkeeping coach position available … not here but there’s one around the A-League.”