Called in to replace the injured Trent Sainsbury for the FIFA World Cup 2018 AFC Qualifier, the sofly spoken centre-back might be mild-mannered off the pitch but he’s an imposing figure on it.
Mrcela is pushing hard for game time as he competes for a starting spot with Matthew Spiranivic, Bailey Wrght and Akex Wilkinson as Australia takes its first step on the long road to Russia 2018 against a side ranked 177 in the world.
At 24, Perth-born Mrcela has already played for six Croatian clubs and made his presence felt during a seven-day camp in Dubai - as he seeks to duplicate the form he showed for his club side NK Lokomotiva Zagreb for the country of his birth.
Despite being monitored for the past 18 months, the 193cm Mrcela admits he was taken aback to receive a call up – and is determined not to let the opportunity slip through his fingers.
He has been struck by the step up in intensity from club to international level as Postecoglou instills a technical touch to a side with a workaholic mentality.
“The intensity and the professionalism are greater than you see in Croatia,” Mrcela said. “The mentality is really about hard working.
“I am trying to learn as much a possible and take it all back to Croatia and continue to work hard and see what I have to improve on.
“Just being here shows I am heading the right way with my career and that I am on the right track.”
Mrcela is a ball playing stopper …at ease in possession, domineering in the air and not one to launch the ball into orbit.
“It’s hard to talk about yourself but I am strong in the air and Croatians are all comfortable the ball and I like to be part of the offensive plays,” he said.
“I am among some great defenders here and they are becoming great friends too and the best will play. I want to start as much as they do, and we’ll see what the coach decides.”
Mrcela has been taken under the wing of Socceroos elder statesman Tim Cahill in camp, with the defender explaining: “Tim is really a fantastic lad and it’s been really helpful for me sitting next to a legend like him.
“It has has made it easier to adapt with the other boys.”
Mrcela has ambitions to gravitate to a more high-profile European league after seven years across the divisions in Croatia.
“That’s my ambition and hopefully this (northern) summer I can get there,” he said.
Mrcela wants to excel for Australia to repay the country for the “better life” it gave his parents, with a sister and brother all born there before returning to the land of their lineage.
“My father wanted to return to Croatia after it got it’s in dependence after the war. He spent many years in Australia and it’s a big part of my life and also my family’s.
“I feel like an Aussie although my accent is lost. I can’t do anything about that.
“I have some memories and have been back a few times; the last was four years ago.”
Meanwhile, Tommy Oar is confident his club future will be decided later this month as he assesses a number of offers after parting ways with FC Utrecht after five years with the Eredivisie club.
“I think everything should be sorted out in a couple of weeks,” he said. “Staying in Europe is definite but as the for the league, it most likely will be outside Holland.
“The Dutch league is known for producing young players and everybody who plays there has an aspiration to ultimately play in a bigger league in Europe and I am no different. Hopefully I will make the next step.
“I certainly want to go somewhere I can play and not be somewhere I am out of my depth, so to speak and have to take a backward step in six months or a year.
“I think I have learned a lot in Holland, on an off the field. They teach you how to play with you brain a bit more than in Australia, where it’s more about running and the physical side of the game.”
