After playing his last game for struggling Balcatta FC in the NPL WA competition on June 30, Jelenovic signed with the Strikers the following Monday. 

He arrived in Tasmania four days later, suited up for his new side 24 hours after that and has now seen the team go to the top of the NPL Tasmania ladder in his two appearances so far.

Having settled in to his new home at Valley Road, the Croatian is now ready to make an impression on the scoreboard to help keep the Strikers entrenched in their current position. 

“I’ve fitted in really well with the team and they have welcomed me fantastically – I can’t complain about anything,” the 24-year-old forward said.

“I think I’ve found my position in the team, somewhere between up top and the wing and I think I can do pretty well there, especially alongside Brayden Mann who is playing really well.

“Devonport’s style is good for me because it’s direct, there is no mucking around at the back and the ball gets to the strikers.

“I reckon I can steal a few goals off Brayden abut I’m hoping for 5-6 goals in the last seven games.”

Jelenovic came to Australia in 2015 for university, where he studying to be a surveyor, and had also played for Inglewood United and State League club Western Knights in Perth before 19 games with Balcatta this season.

He said he had already been contemplating a shift in scenery before the approach from Devonport came about, and is enjoying the challenge that Tasmanian soccer presents.

“Balcatta was a good club with a good coach but we were 10^th on the ladder and I just wanted a change.

“Coming to a top club like Devonport was an attraction and it’s what keeps you going.

“Here the game is more physical, it’s more like the State League competition in Perth.

“The NPL in Perth is more tactical and there are less tackles – here you can tackle a bit more and I don’t mind that.”

Jelenovic looks set to retain his starting spot on Saturday when the Strikers host last-placed Clarence United from 2pm.

With injury concerns lingering around fellow midfielder Gediminas Krusa and defender Guillermo Lazcano, coach Chris Gallo may take the opportunity to give them more time to recover with important games on the horizon.

The key game of the round will be on Sunday when Hobart Zebras host South Hobart, while Launceston City travel to Kingborough and Northern Rangers entertain Olympia on Saturday.