The former Central Coast Mariners man says a central berth is his preferred position but he knows he faces stiff competition from those already on the Victory books.

Carlos Hernandez, Kaz Patafta, Billy Celeski and Nick Ward can all play in a central attacking role with Grant Brebner and Kevin Muscat other pivotal players who sit deeper.

Pondeljak, 32, told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Any club looking to challenge for success and to win things needs to have options and strength in depth.

"All I can do is give everything I’ve got, do all the things I know I’m capable of and hopefully that is enough to earn you a place.

“The club already has some quality midfielders there and I’m looking forward to training and playing with them. I’d say my ideal position is in there behind the front two but you just do the job you’re asked to do, whether in the middle or out wide.

"Of course there are players who want your position but as I said, it’s up to you to perform well enough to make sure the coach picks you.”

Pondeljak, still smarting from the Mariners Grand Final defeat by the Newcastle Jets, admitted it had been a hard decision to leave the Gosford club but it was simply the right time to head for home.

He said: “I’d been aware for a couple of weeks about Melbourne’s interest.

"I spoke to my wife and we just decided that it was time we headed back there, we’ve been away for nine years.

"Everything was pointing to it and that’s why we’ve done it. I guess we’d been getting a bit homesick lately and this came up at the perfect time. I did have a couple of other A-League options but this felt right.

“Really, money had nothing to do with it. We’d had three great years on the Central Coast and it’s just a shame I couldn’t leave with a Grand Final win.

“But we had a fantastic season, certainly exceeding most other people’s expectations of us."

He added: "I’m sure Lawrie (McKinna) will bring in some good recruits during the off season and they’ll be confident of another good season next year.”

Pondeljak leaves a club where few expected them to be the minor premiers this year, to one that desperately underperformed in the defence of its crown.

He said: “When you join a club like Melbourne there will be pressure and expectation. I’m prepared for that.”

The move has reunited Pondeljak with a coach he credits for helping him progress into the pro ranks. Having swapped Lawrie McKinna for Ernie Merrick, is it something about working with Scots?

He laughed: “No, I don’t think it’s that. Ernie was my coach as a 17-year-old at the VIS so he knows all about me and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”