He might have turned 32 but don’t expect to hear Melbourne Victory veteran Grant Brebner complaining about his club’s gruelling playing schedule.
The durable midfielder – who made his name with Hibernian and Dundee United in the tough Scottish Premier League before joining the A-League four seasons ago – admits the thought of playing two games in three days is a challenge at this stage of his career.
But the alternative – not playing at all – is far worse!
With Melbourne battling a striker shortage and needing to defend for its life in Sunday’s second leg of the major semi-final against Sydney in Sydney, Brebner’s ability to provide cover to the defence looms as critical.
And equally his experience at the game’s top levels will be vital 48 hours later when Melbourne backs up for its second Asian Champions League game at home against Korean side Seongnam Ilhwa, having lost the opening match in its group to Beijing Guoan.
“It’s a fantastic position to be in and the games don’t come any bigger,” Brebner said.
“There are certain teams on holiday at the moment so we are thankful we are still involved in the two competitions and the games will come thick and fast but we are looking forward to them.”
But when asked whether he was confident his body would cope with two games in three days; Brebner joked: “Obviously today I am confident but after Sunday night (the Sydney game) I will let you know.”
However Brebner would not swap the Victory’s gruelling playing schedule for anything.
“We are playing in the Asian Champions League and we have a chance to get into the A-League grand final, what more could you ask for?” he said.
But Brebner’s immediate goal is ensuring Melbourne finishes the job in Sydney this weekend to ensure it hosts the A-League grand final for the third time in five seasons.
And despite the chance of injured pair Archie Thompson and Robbie Kruse joining suspended Nik Mrdja on the sidelines, leaving the Victory without a senior striker, Brebner has no thoughts of going to Sydney to defend for the 0-0 draw.
“Over the season and over the course of our history, Melbourne Victory has always wanted to win the game,” he said.
“We will be definitely going up there to win it but we also know in the back of our mind a draw is good enough.”
