Photo:  Olympia's signing from South Melbourne, Joshua Colosimo [PlessPix]

Olympia Warriors’ 20-year-old defender, Joshua Colosimo, is not a big man, but he plays like a terrier.

He is everywhere, never gives in, and makes like tough for opponents, especially strikers.

The recruit from South Melbourne will go in where angels fear to tread, oblivious to personal safety.

It cost him on Saturday night in the 3-2 loss to Clarence United at Wentworth Park.

In the closing seconds of the match, Clarence scored their winner and, as the home side’s players celebrated their goal, many eyes turned to the Olympia goalmouth, where Colosimo lay on the damp turf, not moving.

He received treatment on the pitch for a suspected rib injury and was carried by stretcher from the field and into the warm club rooms, when an ambulance was summoned.  He was, according to some, having difficulty breathing.

Fortunately, he was able to leave the ground under his own steam and fly back to Melbourne that same evening.

Photo:  Joshua Colosimo (right) gets away from Beachside's Huw Jarvis [PlessPix]

He is ready for Saturday’s Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy State-wide competition final against South Hobart, scheduled for 6.30pm at KGV Park.

“I can’t wait,” said Colosimo.  “It’s going to be a great experience down at KGV, the home of football in Tasmania and, hopefully, the surface is good.

“Both clubs have a great supporter base and it’ll be a great final.”

Colosimo, who works part-time and studies construction management and building surveying, joined Olympia Warriors half-way through the current season.

He and South Melbourne team-mate, Jake Van Der Mey, were signed to try and shore up the side and help Olympia avoid relegation.

His opening game was the 5-0 loss to South Hobart, and he has played in two State-wide Cup games and 8 league matches since his signing, resulting in two wins in the cup to take Olympia to the final, and two wins, three draws and three losses in the league.

Colosimo scored the winner against Tilford Zebras in their Milan Lakoseljac Memorial Trophy game, which put them into the semi-finals, so it’s no wonder he is keenly anticipating Saturday’s final.

“That goal was a bit of a fluke, but I’ll accept it any day of the week,” he said.

He was recommended to Olympia by South Melbourne, who were eager to get him some senior playing experience.

“Jake and I were on the fringes of the South Melbourne senior team and in and out of the side,” Colosimo said.  “I thought it would be a good opportunity to come down here to Tasmania and get some senior experience.

“It’s proving to be a fantastic experience.”

Photo:  Colosimo in defensive mode and ready to take on the world [PlessPix]

Colosimo has adapted quickly to the artificial surface at Warrior Park and likes playing on it.

“It promotes good football,” he said.  “Anyone who complains about it takes it a bit too far.

“I guarantee 99 per cent of people would rather play on an artificial surface  that is perfect every week than on a surface that is bumpy and muddy and on which you can’t play the game.

“At the end of the day, you play the game to enjoy it.”

Colosimo was in his second year at South Melbourne when he signed for Olympia Warriors.

He played for Bulleen Lions in the league below the State League before that and while he was in Year 12 at school.  He also captained his school team to their first championship.  That team was coached by former Socceroo Jimmy Rooney, from whom Colosimo learned a great deal.

Colosimo played a leading role in Olympia’s 3-1 win over Beachside recently, a game which saw Olympia safe from relegation.  He had a hand in two of the three goals.

“It was a very scrappy game and Beachside were very hard to break down,” he said.

“After half-time, we finally got in the groove and we were able to take things into our own hands.

“I was always confident, though, that we could avoid the drop.”

Photo:  Joshua Colosimo (left) with Olympia Warriors coach Franco Previdi [PlessPix]

Colosimo hopes to play senior football in the Victorian Premier League next year.

“This experience has been a really good stepping stone to that,” he explained.  “You can play in the under-21s in Melbourne all you like, but you’re playing against boys.

“When you play senior football, regardless of the level, you play against men, and that’s what I’m doing here and I think that toughens you up mentally and physically as well.”

Olympia’s youngsters certainly have a role model in Colosimo.

His fierce competitiveness, fair play, skills and commitment to Olympia’s cause have made him a great signing and he will be missed next season as he returns to the larger stage of Victorian football.