Western Sydney Wanderers keeper Andrew Redmayne said the team was buoyed by reports of around 10,000 red and black fans descending on Adelaide this weekend for the Hyundai A-League Grand Final.
With the game almost sold out and 50,000 fans set to descend on the iconic SA venue, excitement is building ahead of the season finale.
By road or air, the Wanderers’ fanatical fan base are set to descend on the City of Churches in huge numbers – similar to 2014’s Grand Final at Brisbane’s Suncorp.
Redmayne, 27, stressed the importance of their voices on the terraces as the club aimed to make history by winning a first Championship after twice missing out in the last four years on the final day.
“I know there are a lot of Wanderers fans are travelling down there and that’s phenomenal,” he told reporters at Sydney airport on Friday.
“They make a lot of noise and it’s going to feel really good for us.
“They are the best fans in the league, they travel in numbers and I’m really looking forward to playing in front of them.”
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But the Gosford-born shot-stopper tipped a tactical battle in Sunday’s Hyundai A-League decider against Adelaide United at Adelaide Oval.
Unlike last Sunday’s extraordinary semi final between Wanderers and Roar – won by the home side 5-4 in extra time – the keeper isn’t expecting calamitous defending and free-flowing football on Sunday.
“We really limited Roar’s entries into the final third [in last weeks’ semi final] and we’ll do the same on Sunday.”
Redmayne has sat on the bench for two previous grand finals when he played at Brisbane Roar but is expected to start on Sunday.
“It’d mean everything [to start]. It’d mean the world to me. It was fantastic to be a part of that success in Brisbane. I can’t wait.”
Redmayne added the preparations – typically meticulous under coach Tony Popovic – ensured the players weren’t feeling the nerves.
“For me personally I bought into a new philosophy at this club and I’m working the hardest I’ve ever worked in my career.
“He’s fantastic [coach Popovic]. Probably the best coach I’ve ever worked with. It’s good that everyone reaps the rewards of the confidence he instils in his players.
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“Nerves are fine just really excited. We had a solid run yesterday and everyone knows our game plan and what we’re trying to execute and if we execute well, we’ll be hard to beat.
“The team’s well prepared and I’m looking forward to a really great game.”
