Tara Murray
One of Brimbank’s greatest ever soccer players is being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Socceroos legend Mark Viduka was among eight new inductees announced on the weekend.
Viduka grew up in St Albans and started his professional career at the Melbourne Knights, before he went on to make his name on the international stage.
Viduka represented Australia 43 games including captaining the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, the only time the side has progressed to the second round.
He also had a successful European career, playing 361 matches and scoring 162 goals for Dinamo Zagreb, Celtic, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.
He was named the Professional Footballers Australia Alex Tobin OAM Medal winner in 2011 and is a member of the Football Federation of Australia Hall of Fame.
Melbourne Knights took to social media to congratulate Viduka.
A fantastic achievement for one of Australia’s most prolific players,” the Facebook post said.
“Mark paved the way for so many young Australian footballers and is one of the most recognisable names in Australian sport.
“Beginning as a junior at the club and rising quickly to first team football, the name ‘Viduka’ is synonymous with the Knights.
“Mark has given many rich memories to the legion of Knights fans over the years.”
Sport Australia Hall of Fame chief executive John Bertrand AO said the hall of fame forms a who’s who of Australia’s sporting greats.
“Being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame is the pinnacle of Australian sport – one can go no higher.”
