MIlos Lujic is a striker who spent five seasons with South Melbourne in the National Premier Leagues Victoria era. Lujic arrived at Lakeside from 2013 champions Northcote City, where as the league's leading scorer he was instrumental in their success, including winning the Jimmy Rooney Medal for best being best afield in the 2013 grand final.[1]
Apart from Northcote, prior to joining South, Lujic had played at a variety of Victorian clubs, including Richmond, Altona Magic, Oakleigh Cannons. and Springvale White Eagles.
There were high expectations on Lujic - especially as the previous big name forward signed from Northcote, Trent Rixon, had failed to produce the expected goal scoring exploits.
Lujic had no such issues, proving close to unstoppable across his first three seasons at Lakeside. And while his league output eventually slowed down, Lujic's goal scoring feats place him among the club's greatest forwards, even taking into account the superior competitions his predecessors played in.
A prolific goal scorer, Lujic led the club's goal scoring in each of his five seasons at South Melbourne, won the league goal scoring title in his first three seasons at the club, and won the league's player of the year award in 2014.
After a difficult 2018, in which suspension, motivation, and an overseas holiday all interfered with his productivity, Lujic and the cub parted ways at the end of the season.[2] Lujic then went on to join former South coach Chris Taylor at Oakleigh Cannons.
The son of Footscray JUST player Zdravko Lujic, who spent a decade in the National Soccer League, Milos was unable to make the step up to national league football. A brief injury replacement spell at Wellington Phoenix,[3] and a trial at Sydney FC were as close to Lujic came. Considering his state level goal scoring record, the question will always remain about whether a higher division team should've taken a chance on Lujic.
Milestones[]
Arrived from: Northcote City
Departed to: Oakleigh Cannons
Debut: NPL Victoria Round 1, 2014, against Heidelberg United at Lakeside Stadium
Last game: NPL Victoria Round 26, 2018, against Port Melbourne Sharks, at Lakeside Stadium
Hat-tricks[]
- NPL Victoria Round 3, 2014, vs Green Gully
- 2016 FFA Cup, Round 4, vs Keysborough
- NPL Victoria Round 15, 2016, vs Northcote City
- NPL Victoria Round 25, 2016 vs Pascoe Vale
- 2017 FFA Cup, Round 7 vs Dandenong City
- NPL Victoria Round 2, 2018, vs Dandenong Thunder
Honours[]
- NPL Victoria Champions 2014, 2016
- NPL Victoria Premiers 2015
- 2015 Dockerty Cup
- 2015 FFV Community Shield
- FFV Gold Medal 2014
- Jimmy Mackay Medal 2015
- NPL Victoria leading scorer 2014, 2015, 2016
- Club leading goalscorer 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Stats[]
| Season | League | FFA Cup | Dockerty | C. Shield | NPL National | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2014 | 26 | 22 | - | - | 4 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 32 | 24 |
| 2015 | 27 | 22 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 31 |
| 2016 | 28 | 27 | 4 | 6 | - | - | 0 | 0 | - | - | 32 | 33 |
| 2017 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 33 | 25 |
| 2018 | 16 | 10 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 17 | 10 |
| Total | 122 | 96 | 17 | 21 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 150 | 123 |