New Phoenix recruit Liam Reddy can’t wait to play his first home match for his new Hyundai A-League team and is eager to make a difference at the back as the Wellington franchise pushes for its first finals appearance in its third season.
Reddy is currently at home in Brisbane for Christmas but is thankful to be given another opportunity, albeit at a rival club.
“I wasn’t going to play here in Brisbane for the rest of the season so it gives me the chance to play eight or nine games before the rest of the season to hopefully find a contract with a club but also to experience something different with a new group of guys in Wellington,” said.
Reddy signed with the Phoenix early last week and was then flown to Adelaide just days later to help his new side to a 1-1 away draw in the City of Churches.
“I flew into Adelaide on Wednesday night and had one training session before we played on Friday,” he said.
“Luckily, I knew a couple of the boys and I think I’ve played against most of them through the five years of the A-League.”
“It was difficult but I thought we coped well at the back and hopefully we can improve over the rest of the season.”
The Phoenix lie in eighth position on the competition ladder, having slipped down the table from fifth place just a month ago.
With a 13 day break between matches, the Phoenix have a real chance to usher Reddy into their defensive strategies before facing Central Coast Mariners away from home on New Year’s Eve.
“Time isn’t on our side so obviously we will have to do it all on the training park,” he said.
“I think we coped with Adelaide quite well on Friday night but with only eight games left, we really need to start winning some games if we are a chance at the semis.”
“Everyone is upbeat and obviously a little disappointed we didn’t get the three points the other night.”
“The guys are really looking forward to the next six to seven weeks and pushing for the finals berth which would be great on the back of the World Cup berth.”
“As an outsider looking in it seems everyone in Wellington really gets behind the team and hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.”
Reddy comes from an illustrious sporting family – father Rod played rugby league for the Kangaroos, brother Joel plays in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels, and sister Bianca plays in the ANZ Netball Championship for the Adelaide Thunderbirds.
“We all went different paths to be successful and it’s always good to have the banter,” he said.
“Joel had a good year with Parramatta and he’s just got back into pre-season there and they’re keen to go one step further this year and my sister plays in the ANZ Championship which is a great thing for netball.”
“We’re always very competitive when we get back together and we don’t like losing anything, whether it be a game of monopoly or basketball in the back yard, it’s always competitive in our household.”
