When Ivan Vujica joined the Bulls at the start of the season, he had “no doubt this upcoming season will be a successful one”. What he never expected was that he would be crowned the club’s best less than a year later.
His 2023 Macarthur Medal was a triumph of his consistency. The 26-year-old was the ever-present figure for the Bulls this season. He started in all of the 31 competitive games this season and was absent for just 25 minutes over the entire A-League campaign. It was also an acknowledgement of his selflessness. The tireless defender embodies the collective spirit of the Bulls. Fittingly, after being awarded the Macarthur Medal, his first thought was of his teammates.
“I didn’t expect it, I’m extremely rattled,” Vujica said. “I believe there were many other men who could have won this award but I am extremely grateful, that’s for sure.”
When asked about the highlights of his campaign, the former Australia and Croatia youth international immediately thought of the moment that mattered most for the Bulls’ faithful; “For me, what stands out the most was winning the [Australia] Cup. For ourselves but most importantly for our fans. We gave them their first piece of silverware,” Vujica said.
It was a moment that made a big character bashful. One of the club’s most vocal figures fell quiet. For a man who normally commands attention, the spotlight of an independent accolade was one he never desired. Nevertheless, it was one that was well deserved. A loud applause echoed throughout Wests Leagues upon his coronation as the Macarthur Medal holder for a player who sets the standards at the South West Sydney club.
2023 Macarthur FC Medal Night Winners
The Macarthur Medal: Ivan Vujica
Members Player of the Season: Filip Kurto
Goal of the Season: Jason Romero v Melbourne City, Rd 21
Academy Player of the Year: Tamires Souza
Club Person of the Season: Tima Johns
Pat Carbone Award for Volunteer of the Year: Stephanie Stivala, Katrina Morton, Sia Sainsbury, Karen Hawkes, Lauren Donovan
Academy Volunteer of the Year: Kathleen Dalziel
