Perth Glory forward Stefan Colakovski has opened up about his difficult debut season at the A-League club, saying his prolonged snub was something that simply happens in football.
Colakovski played just two games - both off the bench - under coach Ruben Zadkovich last season.
He wasn't seen again following the 4-0 loss to Melbourne City in round five.
The continued absence of Colakovski on the team sheet throughout the season puzzled fans, with Zadkovich saying the former Melbourne City winger simply didn't fit into his new formation.
"We think he's a fantastic character, he's a top guy around the dressing room and he's certainly much loved, so there's no hard feelings there," Zadkovich said in January.
"But at the moment he's not doing enough to get selected."
Colakovski has enjoyed far more luck under new coach Alen Stajcic, scoring off the bench in games against Newcastle and Central Coast to announce himself as a major weapon.
The 23-year-old said his lack of chances last season came down to opinion.
"I mean that's football. Some people rate you, some people don't," Colakovski said on Thursday.
"Last year, it wasn't an easy year, but it's in the past now. I've got nothing bad or good to say about last year - it happened.
"Now I'm just looking forward to doing well this season."
Colakovski said he was determined to stay at Glory despite being frozen out last season.
"Last year was tough but I was adamant I wanted to stay at Glory and do well and prove to the club why they signed me," Colakovski said.
"Of course it's nice the fans have my back, and it's nice the last couple of weeks I've been able to repay them with a few goals.
"Hopefully there'll be more goals and more wins throughout the season."
Colakovski will be back in action in Saturday night's clash with Western Sydney at CommBank Stadium.
Glory will not be allowed to name star midfielder Oliver Bozanic or Jarrod Carluccio due to a clause in the loan deal that sent the pair from the Wanderers to Perth.
Colakovski, who has already played 124 minutes this season compared to the 61 minutes last campaign, praised the influence of Stajcic.
"The gaffer's great. We all bought in to what he wants to do here within the first week," Colakovski said.
"He's keeping a good morale in the group and we're all motivated to do well this season."
Glory moved up to sixth on the back of last week's 2-0 win over Central Coast, while the Wanderers are one point further ahead in fifth with a win and two draws to their name.
