By Kieran Yap 1/7/24
Melbourne City star Daniela Galic has bid farewell to the premiers for a move overseas. The reigning A-League Women Young Player of the Year departs the premiers with nine goals and nin assists over 39 games and after establishing herself as one of the competition’s best players by the age of 17.
Since joining City at the start of 2022/23 season, Galic was immediately trusted as one of Dario Vidosic’s key attacking players. The tricky but direct playmaker has been used through midfield and all three positions across the forward line.
Her enviable technique was on display in her first season, in her second she added pace and strength to the flicks turns and powerful shots. Although she is not yet at her full potential, the possibilities of what she could become are obvious to all her watch her.
Dubbed, “The Future of Australian Football,” by former Matilda Grace Gill and a fixture in the Young Matildas since the 2022 U20 World Cup, Galic has the ability to live up to the hype and her improvement over the past two seasons shows that she is not relying solely on her prodigious talent. This is a huge loss to the league, but massively exciting for Galic and Australian football.
In an interview with Impetus last season Galic credited her eye catching style to playing for fun with freinds and family. With both of her parents being footballers, this move feels like destiny, but it has been the result of hard work and a mentality beyond her years.
As a former playmaker himself, City coach Dario Vidosic was full of praise for Galic upon the announcement.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Dani throughout the last two years and she thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” he told the media.
“She has an extremely bright future and with her technical ability, work ethic and love for the game, I’m certain she has what it takes to reach her full potential.
“I, along with the whole Club, wish her all the best with the move to Europe and I’m sure we will be welcoming her back to Melbourne as a Matilda before too long.”
Although Galic’s ability is the result of a lifetime in the game, Vidosic deserves some praise for his faith in the youngster. He was not hesitant to give her plenty of game time, despite her being just 16 when he took charge of the side. In his first job as a senior coach, the temptation must have been there to trust in senior or experienced players, but his faith in Galic was rewarded with goals and silverware.
Her departure leaves big shoes to fill at Melbourne City, which is a sign of the impact she made in just two seasons.
With Hannah Wilkinson already moving on, and Emina Ekic moving to the US Super League, what the attack will look like is one of the intriguing subplots heading into the next season.
Rhianna Pollicina and Leticia Mckenna are still two of the best attacking midfielders in the country and the likes of Caitlin Karic and Shelby McMahon have shown what they can do in flashes, but could relish the same regular opportunities that Galic thrived on.
Although City fans will be sad to see Galic move abroad, the future remains exciting at the Grand Final runners-up.
“I’ve absolutely loved my time here at Melbourne City,” said Galic.
“It’s been an amazing two years.
“It has been such an enjoyable squad to be a part of and I’ve learnt so much under Dario. I can’t thank him and the support staff enough for how much they’ve helped me both on and off the pitch.
“I’m really excited for what the future holds, and I wish everyone at the Club all the best.”
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