Kevan Sangster 
Justin Vidić in action for Brisbane Roar during a pre-season friendly. Photo supplied by Brisbane Roar.
The latest striker to join the Roar ranks this off season signed on the dotted line for the Queensland club last week after an extended trial – and he’s bullish on his new team’s prospects as the pre-season build-up continues.
So what is it that is filling him with confidence about his new club’s prospects and what can Brisbane fans expect from the young front man?
Unfulfilled talent
Vidić made his A-League debut as a 19-year-old for the Newcastle Jets back in December 2023, scoring his first goal for the club just weeks later.
His career seemed to be blossoming at the start of last season, scoring a double in a 2-1 win for the Jets in an Australia Cup tie last July, before being selected for the Australian U-23 (Olyroos) squad the following month.
But a frustrating season followed for Vidić, who made just eight A-League Men appearances for Newcastle, mainly off the bench, and failed to find the scoresheet during his limited opportunities.
So when the opportunity arose to reignite his career in Brisbane this winter, he jumped at the chance.
Big Ambitions
It’s been a whirlwind few weeks for the New South Welshman, moving to a new city and successfully winning a two year contract as part of Michael Valkanis’ Roar rebuild.
Round Ball Australia caught up with the young target man after his first appearance since signing – against St.George Willawong on Tuesday night – to get his initial thoughts on the move.
“I think we are building a special thing here with the staff and players. We should have really big ambitions this year – I want trophies and I want to win,” he explained.
Clearly the 21-year-old has just the hungry, winning mentality the club have been looking for in their recent recruitment, and he was keen to outline how important the coming season was not just for the club but his own career.
“For me personally it’s a really big year and I want to do as much as I can for the club. I know I’ll do well and score, create goals. I just want to play and give everything I’ve got for the team,” he added.
He also seems to be settling in well to his new surroundings, going on to explain that “the staff and the players have been so good with me, and it’s such a nice city. I’m really enjoying it.”
It sounds like the welcome he has received has made an impression on the talented young striker, who stands 187cm tall and is a presence in the air. His height and goal-scoring instincts seem well suited to compliment the other strikers in the Roar squad, and his smooth transition to Queensland life bodes well for his potential impact.
Bigger tests ahead
While last Tuesday night’s game against NPL opposition St. George ended in a 1-1 draw, it was a youthful Roar side that took the field as Valkanis continues to experiment with his line-up.
New signings Dean Bouzanis, Michael Ruhs, James McGarry and Milo Stajic were the main first team players on display, with young midfielder Noah Maieroni also providing an energetic display alongside Stajic in the centre of the park.
Captain Jay O’Shea as well as star youngsters Lucas Herrington and Sam Klein were all absent from the starting XI along with Vidić, who came off the bench with 30 minutes to play.
Bigger tests will lie ahead for Vidić and his new teammates, starting with the upcoming friendly this Sunday afternoon against reigning A-League Men Premiers Auckland, when more of Brisbane’s key players are expected to turn out.
Yet despite the low-key nature of his first game as an official Brisbane Roar player, Vidić was disappointed with the result.
“It was a good little hit out, they’re a pretty tough team. Good for the legs and to get some minutes in me, but not the result we wanted,” he said afterwards, still displaying that will to win, even in a thirty-minute cameo against lower-level opposition.
That winning mentality may go a long way for Brisbane this coming season, and it may also help propel this young striker to new heights if his confidence is anything to go by.