The Newcastle Jets have quietly undertaken one of the largest rebuilds of any A-League club in recent seasons.
Coach Arthur Pappas has ushered in several young players with great promise while trying to find senior professionals to add experience to his side.
In a move that has surprised supporters, Newcastle announced the signing of the former prodigious A-League striker, Eli Babalj.
He was expected to have an amazing career after breaking through in Australia, only to see his dreams derailed by club politics and injuries like so many before him.
Babalj was born in Sarajevo but immigrated to Western Australia with his family.
There were a lot of A-League sides interested in the 6’5″ striker who had a sublime deft touch, but his hometown club Perth Glory signed the 15-year-old to their youth team.
However, Babalj left the Glory after one season to play for the AIS in the Youth League.
This was a gifted AIS team that included Lawrence Thomas, Trent Sainsbury, Terry Antonis, Brendan Hamill and Mustafa Amini. They surprisingly finished bottom, but Babalj drew the plaudits with nine goals.
Melbourne Heart was the next A-League club to take a punt on the talented kid and his tally of 11 goals in 35 matches had European teams on high alert.
Heart had received multiple offers from several teams, however, once Babalj found out which clubs were interested there was only one he wanted to sign for: Red Star Belgrade.
Red Star Belgrade were managed by one of his childhood heroes, the legendary Robert Prosinecki and Bablj couldn’t believe his dream was coming true.
What happened to Babalj next is another cautionary reminder for young Australian players interested in signing for an overseas club.
Straight away there were problems in receiving his international registration. By the time this was rectified, the coach who moved pillar and post for his signature, Robert Prosinecki, had left the club.
His replacement didn’t seem to have the same faith in the player and Babalj cut a frustrated figure in Belgrade. A brutal fight in training with Nathaniel Asamoah which was plastered all over the local papers didn’t help his cause, either.
Red Star then missed paying the latest instalment of the transfer fee on time, so Melbourne Heart invoked their clause to bring a jaded Babalj back to Australia.
His second stint at the Heart was short and then he spent the next two injury-plagued seasons in Holland.
The injuries that he thought were left behind in Holland returned when he tore his ACL at Adelaide United.
Stints in the Czech Republic, India, Australia and most recently Thailand followed.
I can’t say that I agree with the perception in Australia of Eli being arrogant and lazy in training, especially given what I witnessed during his time in Adelaide.
Eli reminds me a lot of Tomi Juric, besides the connections to the Balkan – they are both introverts, nonchalant and seem to prefer their own company.
Babalj is still one of the best Australian players I’ve seen of his size when it comes to the ball at his feet – a man of 6’5” should not have ball control similar to a 5”9” playmaker.
Newcastle are taking a major gamble on a player that has barely played 50 games in several seasons due to constant injuries.
His time is Europe was marred by club politics and agents who seemed more concerned about how much of a fee they would receive when their client is sold rather than the player’s health and wellbeing.
Babalj has by all reports been training the house down in Newcastle’s pre-season and this is the leanest and fittest he has been in years.
There is absolutely no shame in Babalj coming back to the A-League a decade later. If he can stay away from injuries, he could play an integral part in mentoring the Jets’ young strike force.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
yep :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Saffi
Roar Rookie
Nice article Andy. I noticed he’s 29, so still young enough to make a difference. Let’s hope Eli can maintain his fitness and help Newcastle move up the league.
sportstar111
Roar Rookie
great insight as always Andy :thumbup:
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
never judge a player off youtube clips, they can be very decieving lol
Marcel
Guest
His "highlights" reel is so threadbare it has to include near misses amongst an assortment of routine tap ins and Keeper errors..
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
only way that closes is with more games, more teams and better developement
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
definitely has the skillset to still be playing, first touch is sublime. whether he can get past his injury demons is another issue
Winter
Guest
Still a massive gap between npl and A League
Franko
Guest
An ideal A-League2 player at this point.
Punter
Roar Rookie
I do enjoy your articles on youth football, very insightful. Thanks.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i wouldn't expect him to score more than 5 goals, if pappas can get that tune out of him for this season that would be a great return. newcastle will be competitive this year
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
very blunt answer lol. multiple a league clubs as well as a european glamour club have all signed him throughout his career. theres a reason why, he is skilfull - however getting his body right is the issue. pappas has always had a good eye for recruitment, could be a very shrewd signing if he can chip in with 3-5 goals this season
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i used the correct word to describe him as he broke though, he ticked (and still ticks the height haha) all 3
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Depends how much game time they get, Babalj was off the bench first season. His scoring rate was quite decent for minuted playes in his first stint. He had the ability to hold the ball up, better than anyone since Viduka. I dont know why anyone would go to the Balkans not exactly a center for Sports medicine, off the field a lot of mafias that hang around the clubs.
Winter
Guest
Things can always change for the better. However 11 goals in 35 games is about the bare minimum for a striker that you expect. 20 goals is a fantastic season. 0 to 5 goals is a poor season.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
"the former prodigious A-League striker, Eli Babalj" The word 'prodigious' means - remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. He doesn't fit the word. His best period as a forward was 2010-2012 where he played 35 games for Heart and scored 11 goals. Since then it's been a never ending drought, sadly. Unlikely to change.
Waz
Roar Rookie
No