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WORLD Cup fullback-in-waiting Ivan Franjic has revealed he was ready to hang up his boots five years ago, fearing he would never fulfil his dream of playing professional football.
Franjic, 26, is aiming for a third A-League championship in four seasons on Sunday with Brisbane Roar, who will host Western Sydney Wanderers in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium.
He is also set to be selected in Australia's squad for the June-July FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he's likely to patrol the right side of the Socceroos defence.
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"It's been a great rise for me," Franjic told The Courier-Mail.
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But it all could have been so different had Franjic followed through with his idea of quitting the game in 2009.
While it's well known that the Melbourne product was juggling his carpentry apprenticeship with life as a semi-professional player in the Victorian Premier League, Franjic has admitted he was on the verge of choosing his trade over football.
"It just wasn't working. I was working seven to five as a carpenter, and I had started playing at Oakleigh which was on the other side of the city, so I was leaving home at 5.30 in the morning and coming home at 10 at night," he said
"It was just becoming too much. My back started hurting, I had little niggles, I had some injuries … I was ready to quit."
Ivan Franjic started in the Socceroos last match on home soil, against Costa Rica. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: News Limited
But after further talks with Oakleigh officials, Franjic decided to give it one more season.
"They said they'd look after me, and I was happy there. They treated me very well and I'm very grateful they did because it kept me playing for longer," he said.
It was the best decision Franjic ever made.
Later that year, the Roar came knocking, and what was initially a six-week injury-replacement deal has turned into a lasting and fruitful relationship.
"When I came to Brisbane, I made sure I was fit and ready. It was an interesting six weeks because I was thrown into the starting 11," he said.
"But it's all about self-belief. If you don't believe in yourself, no-one will."
Franjic is contracted to Brisbane for another two years, but admits it would be hard to knock back a chance to head overseas if a good offer came his way.
Via his family heritage, he recently acquired a Croatian passport, which will make it easier for him to play in Europe.
Persistence has paid off for Ivan Franjic. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia
"If something comes up that I can't say no to, I'd have to consider it. Playing in a top league has always been a dream of mine," he said.
"I've been here five years now. I've learnt a lot, obviously playing for the Socceroos has helped me a lot as well.
"If a big opportunity comes, I'll be very happy to take it, but I'm very happy here as well."
Franjic won't take his World Cup spot for granted, but Brisbane's great season and grand final berth has him and Roar teammate Matt McKay well placed to be part of national coach Ange Postecoglou's plans for Brazil.
"I don't know anything yet. Ange keeps his cards close to his chest," he said.
"The main thing was getting to the final first because the longer you can play games, the more chance you have of going to the World Cup.
"Now we're here, I'm going to put out my best performance on Sunday, and hopefully if I do well enough, he'll pick me."
The band is back together for a grand final edition of the Fox Football Podcast — with a few special guests dropping in as well. Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are in the studio, where they are joined by Wanderers fanatic Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, who dropped by for a chat too, and on the line by Brisbane Roar defender Jade North. Daniel Garb is on deck again to talk Mourinho, Liverpool, City and all things EPL & Socceroos.
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