Western Sydney goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne expects Saturday night’s Sydney Derby to be better and more passionate than its Melbourne counterpart because of the Wanderers’ huge fanbase.
Redmayne joined the Wanderers in the off-season after three years at Melbourne City (Heart) where he played in a handful of local clashes against Melbourne Victory.
Now as the Wanderers No.1, the 26-year-old will on Saturday night taste his first cross-town dogfight in Sydney.
And in a statement which is sure to ruffle a few feathers south of the border, the shot-stopper is predicting this fixture to be the best of the big city derbies in the A-League.
“I played in a few Melbourne derbies but heard some great things about the Sydney derby and I’m expecting big things and an amazing atmosphere,” Redmayne told reporters on Tuesday.
"I think with the passion and the energy that the Wanderers fans bring, I think it's going to be better than the Melbourne derby, that's what I'm expecting.
"Derbies is what football is all about. That passion, that rivalry, almost the bragging rights I guess,” he added.
"There's a lot more pressure a lot more atmosphere, and sold-out crowds, everyone's on their feet, it's just fantastic.
“I just can't wait to get out there on Saturday and play in front of half the stadium full of Wanderers fans.”
Redmayne has started both games so far this season and says he feeling comfortable as the club’s No.1 after being largely a second-choice keeper at his previous clubs.
He says he has benefitted from coach Tony Popovic’s work ethic and a “whole new level of professionalism” at the club.
“I’m more than happy being at the Wanderers and I’m ecstatic at the support and the coaching staff here at this club,” he said.
“I think it’s fantastic not only for me but the whole squad and the whole club that we have such driven people at this club.
“There’s been a lot of positives [in the first two games] and we just have to keep building.”
Redmayne isn’t the only Wanderer who will be experiencing the derby for the first time, with Spanish playmaker Andreu also set for his first clash with the Sky Blues.
He has been involved in big derby clashes in Poland with Polonia Warsaw – against Legia Warsaw – but says more than 40,000 fans at Allianz will make this an experience to remember.
"I hear many things, that it's the best game in the league and a lot of people will be in the stadium - 40,000 or close,” said the Spaniard, who admits he knows little about Sydney FC.
“It will be a special game. I like a lot playing in these kinds of games because always the nerves are on yourself…I hope we can get the three points."
The fixture is tipped to sell-out before game day on Saturday.
A-League: Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant and the Wanderers’ Scott Jamieson go from holiday pals to fierce rivals
THEY look like the very cliché of Aussie backpackers, with cameras ready and sights to be seen. Not exactly footballers on an end-of-season bender.
It couldn’t be further from a Mad Monday, but then the circumstances were a bit different too for a couple of young teammates who three years later will be derby enemies.
The stars seriously aligned for Rhyan Grant and Scott Jamieson in May 2012, as Sydney FC’s season came to an end, and plans were laid for the team’s usual end-of-season trip.
Captain Terry McFlynn’s assiduous collection of the team fines meant the kitty put aside for the trip had hit five figures – but one by one the players pulled out.
“Even a month out from the end of the season there were five or six players up for it, and we were meant to be going to Vegas or somewhere,” said Jamieson.
“But then it came down to four, and three, and at the last minute it was me and Rhyan. I checked with Terry McFlynn, and he said there was no reason why we couldn’t take the whole kitty. So we did.”
Instead of Vegas, plans changed slightly – first a few days in LA, and then onto New York. They took in a Lakers game, climbed the Rockefeller Building, and spent a lot of time in each other’s company.
“As people may know, ‘Jamo’ can be a bit, well… it’s lucky we’re mates, I’ll put it that way,” said Grant.
“It was good fun – there was only two of us, and $10,000 between us to spend. It sort of turned into a holiday instead of the usual end of season trip. He was good, he was always up for doing stuff and checking things out.”
It was probably a necessary bit of catharsis, after Sydney’s season saw them sneak into the finals but lose to Wellington, as then-coach Vitezslav Lavicka’s tenure ended with a whimper.
Jamieson was on the way out, having signed for Perth, and made it a farewell to remember.
“We got up to a bit of mischief in LA,” he said, “then New York we did all the sights. It was freezing cold, but we were quids in. I think I paid for a few bits and pieces, but that was about it.”
All of which might mean something for two mates playing in the derby, except “it’s not a normal game though is it?” said Jamieson. “I’ve kicked him a few times before when I was at Perth, that won’t be a problem.”
Grant, though, isn’t so bothered about the prospect of any verbal exchanges. “If I was him I’d be more concerned with trying to take it all in,” he said.
“Only when you play in it do you realise what the derby is like. It’ll be good for him, and hopefully he sees the bad side of it when they lose.”
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First FFA Cup Semi Final coverage details
The match, which will be LIVE and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9pm AEDT, pits one club aiming to reach its second consecutive Cup Final, while for the other it is the chance to continue an impressive Cup run.
After finishing runners up to Cup holders Adelaide United in the inaugural Westfield FFA Cup last year, Perth Glory is just one win away from having the chance to go one better in 2015.
Perth Glory are proving to be the Westfield FFA Cup specialists following their run to the Final in 2014 coupled with their success in reaching the last four this year, and this reputation will only be further enhanced if they can prevail tomorrow in front of a boisterous home crowd.
Standing in their way is Melbourne City FC, a team on their own mission to stamp themselves as a genuine contender and determined to stay in the running for their first piece of silverware.
Both teams are coming off defeats in the Hyundai A-League last weekend and will be relishing the opportunity to get back on the winners list with the reward of a spot in the Westfield FFA Cup showpiece on 7 November.
If you’re in Perth or the surrounding area, make a night of it, get to nib Stadium and be part of what is sure to be a finals-like atmosphere.
You can also watch all of the action unfold on FOX SPORTS (Channel 505). Coverage begins at 9.00pm AEDT.
There will be LIVE updates on the Westfield FFA Cup Twitter channel @FFACup, while you can also follow the progress on the official match centre and get half time and full time updates on the competition’s official Facebook page. #getaroundit
Perth Glory v Melbourne City FC
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (9:30pm AEDT)
Wednesday, 21 October 2015
nib Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 6:30pm local (9:30pm AEDT)
Click here to go to the official match centre
Tickets: Click here for ticketing details
TV Broadcast: Live and exclusive on FOX SPORTS 505 from 9:00pm (AEDT)
Radio Broadcast: ABC Grandstand Digital, online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App
Twitter: Follow the match and join the conversation using the hash-tag #PERvMCY
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