At the age of 35, former Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak has decided to call time on his career, announcing his retirement on Saturday 11 July.
The Australian was a much-loved figure at Selhurst Park. Not necessarily because of his footballing talents, but due to his leadership on the pitch and his journey to south London.
While there were sour grapes surrounding his departure in 2016, he will always be remembered at Selhurst Park. Partly because he has never been replaced.
Mile Jedinak Embodied Everything Crystal Palace Are Now Missing
Modern Great
In an alternate universe, there would a statue of the Australian outside of the Main Stand at Selhurst Park, holding aloft the FA Cup.
If Jedinak had left under the right circumstances, his own terms in many respects, then he would be heralded a legend even more than he is now in SE25. He would be the captain of an FA Cup winning side, not one that was remembered for so nearly being heroes.
The Australian arrived in south London as a relatively unknown quantity. Joining on a free transfer from Turkish club Genclerbirligi, nobody knew what to expect from the Australian.
However, his playing style was quickly established. A hard-hitting midfielder that did not ooze quality on the ball, but exceeded in what he did best.
Jedinak was the ideal defensive midfielder throughout his time with Palace. He broke up play, he put his heart and soul on the line and stepped up for his team-mates when he felt he needed to.
2012/13
The 2012/13 was an historic campaign for Palace, and Jedinak was at the forefront of it.
It ended with the Australian lifting the play-off final trophy, but it twisted and turned up until that May Bank Holiday at Wembley.
Promotion was achieved two years ahead of schedule, following the purchase of the club by CPFC2010 following administration in 2010.
Jedinak led a side made up of players with points to prove, unwanted by their former clubs, to Premier League glory up the steps of England’s most famous stadium.
The Australian’s grit and determination set the tone for the season. He led the battle following his appointment as captain midway through the season. At times it was testing, and a matter of trial and error, but Jedinak always led from the front and his team followed.
His leadership, from the 2012/13 season until his tenure was over, is what won over the fans at Selhurst Park. Even the Championship at times proved difficult from him to handle in terms of footballing ability, but he never backed down. When a pass went amiss from the Australian, he harried the opposition to win it back.
His Leadership is Now What Palace Miss
Wilfried Zaha, throughout his career, has been targeted by the opposition. Taunted and jeered by the opposition fans off the pitch, opposing players would hack down the Ivorian at any opportunity.
A wound up Zaha is not an unfamiliar sight on the pitch. When that happened under the watch of Jedinak, he would be the first one in line to protect the valued winger at Palace.
That was the now-35-year-old all over. As previously mentioned, he led from the front, and was the first person at any battle on the pitch. Jedinak dictated what happened, and led from the heart of the action.
Now, since his departure, Palace have forgone his leadership. Luka Milivojevic showed glimpses initially, but has never quite fulfilled the captaincy role in the same was as his Australian predecessor.
It was never about the money for Jedinak and the squad over 2012/13, it was about proving that they are still capable of playing at the highest level. They were all leaders, and played with the passion and intensity that is adored in SE25.
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