 The 2002/03 season also saw the legendary coach Mirko Bazic return from Croatia to take charge of the side for the last 6 matches of that season, which included a 1–0 victory over rivals South Melbourne at home in the big derby clash in front of 7,157 spectators.In the final season of the NSL (2003/04) the club finished second last, its worst finish ever in the NSL.Despite the poor finish, 9 of the players from the squad in following years would end up at A-League clubs (including 7 that would in subsequent years go on to play for Melbourne Victory).