Zadkovich, 25, knows all about football’s ups and the downs.

In 2003, playing for scratch money for hometown club Bulli with his two brothers while working as a labourer, to jumping on a plane, bugging UK clubs for trials and jagging a pro contract with QPR and Notts County - all in the space of a few weeks.

With the taste of English football still fresh, he returned home in late 2005 and promptly scored on debut and won an A-League crown with Sydney FC.

Pim Verbeek capped him in 2008 and shortly after, against Serbia in the group opener, he ghosted in at the far post to slide home Australia’s only goal at the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

In that same tournament, the wiry midfielder locked horns with Sergio Aguero, Lionel Messi and Roman Riquelme as the Olyroos lost to eventual gold medalists Argentina.

Zadkovich’s star was on the rise and shortly after the Olympics, he joined his new team-mates at English club Derby County.

It all seemed to be going swimmingly.

Two years, three groin operations and a double hernia later, he exited Pride Park with his career seemingly in tatters.

Back home he reassessed and realised the A-League would be his best option.

Newcastle offered him a lifeline, a lifestyle and the lure of a three-year deal. The player is ensconced in Merewether Beach's surf side culture and loving it.

And last season over 20 appearances in the A-League re-established his credentials as a new, more mature Zadkovich emerged.

This season, 18 appearances has him on track to better that number while his goal against the Sky Blues (his third since joining the club) was memorable for obvious reasons.

Right now, the South Coast of NSW product is reinvigorated on and off the pitch as the improving Jets, now fifth on the A-League ladder, eye a finals run.

And given his terrible luck with injuries, “Zadko” knows who to thank first.

“Rob Dingle the head physio and fitness coach Adam Waterson," he told au.fourfourtwo.com. "The effort they put in for all the players and their dedication to the job has been super.

“For a guy like me, I’m the fittest I’ve ever been, and for the majority of the squad, we’re really feeling the rewards from the hard work they’ve put in.

"They’ve been massive for us and even though we haven’t had the greatest of seasons we’re now starting to hit some form and a lot of credit goes to those guys.”

The Jets, heading into a pivotal clash with fourth-placed Glory this weekend, are hitting their straps at just the right time.

And Jobe Wheelhouse’s leadership and on-field form is one of the main reasons, added Zadkovich.

Wheelhouse took over the captain’s armband following last months’ messy demotion of classy midfielder Kasey Wehrman.

The 26-year-old, from Toronto, is one of the most under-rated players in the A-League and alongside Zadkovich, they provide the quality going forward and defensively.

“Guys returning from injury such as Jobe Wheelhouse and Franny Jeffers - those two have come in and Jobe’s a really good captain,” said Zadkovich.

“It’s no coincidence that he’s taken the armband back and we’re starting to win games. It’s taken a little while to adapt to Dutchy’s [coach Gary Van Egmond] style of play, but slowly, slowy, the results have come.

“I don’t want to give away too much though…” he added when pressed on specifics of the game plan.

“He likes a pretty fast game with the ball and without the ball. It’s taking a little time to adapt but we’ve got a good mix of individuals who offer something different.”

That something different has seen the Jets smash Sydney 5-2 and Heart 3-0 in recent weeks. And Zadkovich’s work-rate and improving decision-making on the park are helping to win him more fans.

But there are always doubters. So it was no surprise that his goal celebration in front of the Cove was pointed.

“The people doubting you, I guess that makes the feeling even more satisyfing. It’s fuel to the fire," he said. “A lot of people will always doubt you but really, their opinion don’t really count for very much.

"The only thing that matters is how hard you work and what you can achieve. I don’t give anyone the satisfaction of telling me what I can and can’t do. It’s as simple as that.

"You make your own destiny."

Right now, life couldn’t be better. He’s bought a tinny, fishes on Lake Macquarie and jumps in the surf almost every day. And more importantly, at 25, he feels his best years are yet to come as the Jets head in the right direction under new owners and a smart young Aussie coach.

Zadkovich added: “I’ve ended up in a good position to reap the rewards over the next part of my career.

“The possibilities in football are endless and it’s been a roller-coaster.

"I’m in Newcastle, I like it here so… happy days.”

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