Poletti 
Macarthur FC's Marin Jakoliš in action against Perth Glory during Round 1 of the 2024/25 A-League Men season. Photo: Texi Smith
Having scored five goals this season in all competitions, Marin Jakoliš has lit the A-League Men on fire since signing with Macarthur on a one-year-deal, following the conclusion of his loan stint at Melbourne City last year from Angers SCO.
It was a move that Jakoliš said was an easy decision to make and it only took him a couple of hours.
“When Sam [Krslovic, Macarthur FC CEO] called me and he proposed to me this side, I told him after maybe two hours I’m coming,” Jakoliš said.
“Obviously because of the way we talked it was open and he knows what to expect from me, I know what to expect from him.
“Then I talked to the coach who had nice words and [said] I want you here.
“It was an easy choice. I wanted to come back. I enjoyed Australia. My goal was to come back and this was an amazing opportunity for me.”
It was a move that was also helped by the strong contingent of players he either already knew at the club, such as Valère Germain from when they were in France, or the players he has been able to easily connect with because of their shared Croatian roots, like Ivan Vujica and Tomi Uskok.
Jakoliš said their relationship is an element that has added a little something extra to his game.
“It’s more like they can give you the advice and we can talk in our language which is great because nobody will understand what’s happening. Every corner, every free kick, whatever is happening,” he said.
“We talk Croatian because I want them to know what’s happening and obviously talking before the game, after the game, just communicating during the game about what is happening, it gives you an advantage, and we’ll take every advantage possible.”
The Croatian connection is one that runs deep for Jakoliš, but so is his connection to Australia, with his father having moved to Australia as a child before returning to Croatia as a teenager.
“He left Australia when he was 13 or 14, and then the war started, etc. so he stayed in Croatia his whole life,” he said.
“But he was always talking about footy, Collingwood, and how his dream was to come back and live in Australia.
“I remember saying to him [that] I will bring you to Australia. When I will be free, we will go to visit Australia.
“I never thought about this [living in Australia], but I think that’s how life works. It’s one big circle and it’s me who made it.”
Jakoliš also said that he would love to represent Australia as a Socceroos member if the opportunity presented itself.
“They know my point of view that I am more than happy to do it and I would be wanting to do it for Australia,” he said.
“Now it’s just a question of am I or am I not [eligible], what do I need, because my father, he lived here 15 years, we all have a passport.
“My first passport was 2002, I have my new passport right now [from] last year.
“He was born in Croatia but he was five months old when he came to Australia.
“That’s why if you ask him, he’s like I was born in Australia. When you go to school and everything in Australia, then you leave at 15 years old, his whole life was Australia.
“It would be an honour.”