Madonis Hyped for Sharks season

11 February , 2022 By Football NSW

After 13 years at Sydney Olympic FC, 26-year-old Jason Madonis has made the move to the Sutherland Sharks for the 2022 season and is ready to step into the next chapter of his football journey.

Having made his first-grade debut under the leadership of Grant Lee, Madonis became a stalwart of Olympic over the years, enjoying the success of their incredible Premiership/Championship double in 2018.

While Madonis has proved his loyalty to the club over the years, he has decided to take on a new challenge in 2022.

“I feel excited,” Madonis explained.

“It’s obviously a very new experience for me.

“I was at Olympic for 13 years so it’s always going to be exciting, but also a little bit nerve-wracking when you go into a new environment after such a long period of time.”

Joining an invigorated line-up at the Sutherland Sharks under the coaching leadership of Nick Dimovski, Madonis praised the recruitment of the club in putting together a well-balanced squad for 2022.

“Nick and the whole board at Sutho have done very well to put together a strong squad – hopefully a squad that’s going to be very competitive and try and push for a finals spot in the upcoming season.

“They’ve bought in some very good quality players, they’ve brought in very experienced players, as well as some hungry youngsters so it’s a good mix and it’s a good balance.

“Guys like Micky Neill, James Baldacchino, Nikola Taneski and Nick Sullivan, I’ve grown up with so I’ve either played against them or played with them.

“So there’s a good bond throughout the squad, and everyone’s kind of tied together in some way, shape or form.”

When asked if there was any pressure to perform after switching teams after such a long time in the competition, Madonis explained that he didn’t feel pressure but rather the responsibility that comes with his level of experience.

“When I’m enjoying my football, I know I have a lot to offer the club so not really any pressure.

“There is there is that added responsibility – I’m not leaving as a young kid anymore I am quite an experienced player, I’ve made over 150 appearances in the league so there is that sense of responsibility to do my best and give my all but yeah, I wouldn’t say any feeling any pressure.”

While having plenty of NPL New South Wales experience, Madonis still has plenty left to give to the competition.

“I’m still only 26 so I feel as if I’ve got my best years of me – the next two, three years I feel as if I’ll be in my prime,” he explained.

“I want to be known as a player that, whichever club I’m playing for at the time, I’m giving 110% and I’m giving my absolute all to the club.

“With Sutho it will be no different, I want to give my absolute all to the club on and off the pitch.”

-By Madeline Riley