Advertisement

Glory can go all the way: Vukovic

Danny Vukovic has tasted grand final heartache on three occasions. Pic: Getty Images

Danny Vukovic has more reasons than most to hope Perth Glory end their A-League drought this season.

The experienced goalkeeper has played in three grand finals - one with Glory and two with Central Coast Mariners - but is yet to taste victory.

The 29-year-old was also part of Perth's 1-0 FFA Cup defeat to Adelaide United in December.

Vukovic will celebrate his 100-game milestone for Glory in tomorrow night's top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park.

Three-and-a-half seasons with Perth punctuated by the high of a grand final appearance in 2011-12 and the low of coach Alistair Edwards' sacking has left Vukovic feeling it might finally be Glory's time.

"I've got a good feeling," he said. "We've been on top for 16 weeks. You don't do that if you're not a good side.

"We haven't had the best run of form in the last couple of weeks, but we're still on top and we're remaining positive.

"It's a big game on Saturday night against Melbourne Victory, but if we can get a positive result we can really kick away from the rest of the pack."

Vukovic will equal the record for most A-League matches by a player tomorrow night, drawing level with the 221 appearances set by former Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Heart captain Matt Thompson.

Vukovic, who turns 30 later this month, has started in all but one of the games.

"It feels like I'm getting old," he said.

"I've been in the league for 10 years now. It's been a great 10 years - a few lows, but a lot of highs and very enjoyable.

"I still remember my first game. You're thinking then that you'd love to have a long career, but you don't know how it's going to pan out. To see how far I've come, it's certainly a feather in my cap and something I'm proud of."

The league leaders have had Victory's measure this season with two wins and a draw, including an emphatic 4-2 triumph over their Melbourne rivals in the FFA Cup quarterfinals.

·Glory midfielder Brandon O'Neill has had his contract terminated to allow him to seek other opportunities.

The 20-year-old notched 16 appearances for Glory after making his debut in 2012.

"We've been on top for 16 weeks. You don't do that if you're not a good side."" *Danny Vukovic *