Fifty-SIXTH edition season 2015/16 Round 26 VS Central Coast Mariners

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This Match We've packed this issue of the Wanderer with everything you need for tonight's match

FEATURES FIFTY-SIXTH EDITION SEASON 2015/16 ROUND 26 VS CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

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The Wanderer The views in this publication Farewell To Wanderland 8 A Forgotten Rivalry 18 are not necessarily the views of The end of an era A look back on tonight’s fixture the NRMA Insurance Western Story by Jacob Windon Story by Domenic Trimboli Wanderers FC. Material in this publication is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written permission from the Club. Regular Columns Advertising Open Letter: Foundation Fox Football Fix 20 Guardian Funerals For all advertising enquiries in The Wanderer or questions Player 5 Wandercrew members Anth's Spot the of the Week: Our Half- about partnership with Warm Up 6 Difference 22 Time Participants 26 the club please contact the Corporate Partnerships team Five Things 11 Corporate NEWS: A [email protected]. home loan alternative Players To Watch: In the Community: PHOTOGRAPHY for Western Sydney Enter your school All photography courtesy Reddy vs IZZO 13 borrowers 23 in the Wanderers of Ali Erhan, Beans & Schools Cup 27 Mash Photography, Daniel Fox Football Focus Take Five with Boud, Getty Images with Adam Peacock 15 Jonathan Parramatta Melita Eagles and Steve Christo. Today's Match 16 Aspropotamitis 25 Our Partners 30

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Open Letter

From the Foundation Player Mark Bridge The local boy reflects on his favourite moments at Wanderland

t’s going to be a strange leaving Wanderland. I have so many great memories here and it’s a place that all Iof us hold dear. The fact that our final game at Pirtek is against Central Coast is interesting. I remember our first game here at Parramatta was against them, so playing them tonight is a fitting ending for what has been a magical few years at this place. Hopefully we can end on a high and put up a winning performance to go out on. To have the accolade of first Wanderer to score at Pirtek is something I really cherish. Of course it’s always a team effort and as a striker it’s nice to get on the sheet every week but my first goal here was something I’ll remember long after I stop playing. However, my favourite moment at Pirtek would have to be Shinji Ono’s New Year’s Day goal against Victory. To see The maiden a volleyed finish like that was something Bridge scored to behold. It’s very rare you get to see the Wanderers' moments like that in football and we’re first ever goal at very lucky to have experienced that at Wanderland Pirtek, let alone the Hyundai A-league. It’s those moments that make This park also means a great deal to Although this is an emotional ending, Wanderland special for all who walk our squad and is a place that is revered you look to the future and you know that through its gates. throughout the entire league. A lot the stadium, once its re-done, is going to be But what really transforms Pirtek of opposing players enjoy coming to amazing. And it’s going to be a place that into Wanderland are our fans. They’re Pirtek for the atmosphere but, luckily the Wanderers turn into a fortress, creating easily the greatest in the league. Their for us, also find it very intimidating. countless more memories. I’m sure of it. passion is moving and to an extent some So as a player we’re privileged to be people come just to watch them - that’s able to play on this amazing arena Mark Bridge how good they are. They’re unbelievable. week-in week-out. Foundation Player

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ooking back on our most recent clash completely honest, I don’t have a Lon Friday night against Melbourne favourite as of yet. We still haven’t Victory we were very good for 60 finished what we want to achieve this minutes. We managed to reduce a very season which is to win the championship. attacking team with a strong front four So saying that, if we continue to play the to only one shot from outside the box football we have been playing and with a which was very pleasing on our behalf. few minor details to improve on, I hope Unfortunately we didn’t capitalise to be telling you my favourite memory with a goal from all our great play and will be holding the trophy at the end of dominance which we deserved and the season. Victory scored a second goal against the But first we must take on the Central ON THIS DAY run of play. Coast Mariners today who are a free We have now moved on to tonight spirited team. We must show them Courtesy of Andrew Howe which is potentially our final game respect like all the teams we play against @AndYhowe_statto at Wanderland. and continue with our good play. I’m laying and coaching legend Every great memory I’ve had confident the boys will perform like they Pat Mt Druitt Town Rangers, at Wanderland comes off the back have all season and for us to take all Wayne Farnsworth was born of a match we have won. But to be three points. on this day in 1965. Farnsworth played juniors at Busby Soccer Match Day PARTNER Fixtures & Results Club and also spent time at Marconi and Lansvale youth Scan the QR code below for all score teams. He joined NSW State updates across our Hyundai A-League, League team Parramatta Melita Westfield W-League and Foxtel Eagles from Liverpool Albion in National Youth League matches. 1983 and, while still a teenager, made the step up to the at the start of the 1984 season following Melita’s entry in to the national league that year. He stayed on with the Eagles following the club’s demotion back to the NSW State League in 1985, and in the late 1980s moved on to Mt Druitt Town where he became senior coach in 1990 aged just 24. He stayed on at the Rangers for several years.

6 The Wanderer Round 26 WARM UP

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s a fan and a former player of the next couple of years but I am looking Aclub it was heartbreaking to watch forward to seeing what the upgrade +500 our recent match against Melbourne will bring and the ability to bring more POINTS + Victory as we didn’t get the three points people to the game to watch the team 5000 we were searching for. we all love. POINTS Watching the game it was very much All my favourite memories at + a case of us being unable to take our Wanderland have been centred around 7000 POINTS chances whereas Victory took theirs. the Sydney Derbies. You simply Now though, we’re back home cannot beat them. @paulboudaher  and ready to play our final match But today we take on the team we at the original Wanderland. You first played against in our debut season, always knew from the very start that the Central Coast Mariners. there was something very special The Mariners have nothing to about this club. play for in terms of the ladder as it is Every experience that we have had so impossible for them to now make the far in our fortress has just gotten better top six but I’m sure they will be still be and better as time has gone on. playing for their pride. I have started to take my nieces and They have some great players in their  nephews to the game so it’s been great squad including recent international @averman84 to show them this experience. Luis Garcia so they will make it a It will certainly be sad to say difficult match making it a challenging goodbye to our home stadium for the race for us to the finish line. WSWREWARDS doWnload the app today! turn to page 28 now to see how you can win a @moudi_najjar  double pass to the Wanderers Medal 2016 by voting for the Members' player of the year. PluS you Can eaRn 100 BonuS PointS* for entering the code 'WsWRnd26' into the app!

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Story by JACOB WINDON @JacobWindon Farewell to Wanderl and

It's only been home for four seasons but the soon-to-be rebuilt Pirtek Stadium has already give n the Wanderers a lifetime of memories

onight we celebrate our final regular season West was, like the people of the Western Sydney match before the demolition of a venue which region itself, given a dismissive backward glance. has given us so much and played host to some Rejected as the washed-up back alley of a larger and No place like Tof Australian football’s greatest moments. more glamorous whole. home “We go out to their little shed – there’s only It was another snide reminder of the intrinsic There's nothing 16,000-19,000 out there.” geographical differences that separate Penrith from like a full house at “It’s a one-night opportunity for the Wanderers Paddington, the harbour city and its people and the label Wanderland to come out and come to the big city of Sydney, but that is blanketed upon the Western Sydney community. also to our mansion. The little shed of is not only “And 45,000 people in a full house and a great Western Sydney’s spiritual home but a physical atmosphere, let’s make a good spectacle of it.” embodiment of such difference. The Wanderers Those bullishly-uttered words were, of course, would wear Arnold’s jibe as a badge of honour and famously espoused by Sydney FC manager Graham later, , spoken like a true Westie, would Arnold before the first of the season. reclaim the identity that is so often pigeon-holed at The Sky Blues boss was at his grizzly best (or the Western Sydney region. worst, depending on your allegiance) as the build up “For us, we’re just pleased we can give our fans to the derby reached fever pitch. another game here” said Popovic plainly. “We’ve had His “little shed” jest was naturally a harmlessly many big games here recently and derbies are special,” flippant slice of pre-derby joshing (and, in all “It doesn’t really matter what anyone thinks of us honesty, a fairly lacklustre effort), yet Arnold’s joust or our stadium. This has been our home, it’s a fantastic did draw another line in the rivalry’s sand and a stadium for football. The fans love it, the players love particularly deep one at that. playing here and we’re looking forward to another derby.” For the Wanderers fans Arnold light-heartedly The manager’s words will reverberate in the goaded, it was that familiar feeling of being written hearts and souls of Wanderers fans and players past off, how Pirtek Stadium in the heart of Sydney’s and present everywhere for many years to come.

8 The Wanderer Round 26 FEATURE

This has been our home, it's a fantastic stadium“ for football. Farewell to ” Wanderl and

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And even after those years, we might still not provide the proverbial memory lane and passage truly appreciate how special an arena Wanderland towards Wanderland that will be achingly missed Together we was not only in the decades of service before during its reconstruction. sing but in housing the unthinkable achievements But ambition is woven so deeply into the fabric of The Red & Black of the Wanderers in their formative years. This this club and, having conquered the continent, the faithful have era will stand out as one of the most exciting decision to move onto the next level represents the helped create times in Australian football’s sprawling history next step in their philosophy to become the world an unrivalled and Parramatta Stadium as one of the era’s most class sporting organisation the region deserves. atmosphere revered artefacts, where an enormous sense of Nothing, however, could erase the myriad of pride and belonging was cultivated over four beautiful memories and collection of moments that unforgettable seasons. now plaster the stadiums walls. The Wanderers History had been formed here, the surrounding will be back at Wanderland before long but for streets have been soaked in Red & Black and now, here’s to one last moment to treasure.

10 The Wanderer Round 26 Five Things

FIVE THINGS Five people who made Wanderland

1 3 4

2

3. Tomi Juric 5 The Auburn-born boy etched his name 1. Tony Popovic into Wanderers folklore when he One Premiership Plate, two grand scored the winner and sole goal of the finals, three finals appearances in four 2014 AFC Champions League Final years and an AFC Champions League at Wanderland, latching onto Antony winner’s medal – all in little under Golec’s divine ball. Juric’s goal will five years of existence. Despite what remain one of the most iconic moments Australian football could achieve in the in Australian sporting history. future, it will likely never compare to Popovic’s remarkable inaugural reign. 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley The current Wanderers skipper played 2. Shinji Ono a huge role in transforming Wanderland Arriving as Western Sydney’s into one of the fiercest away trips in the international marquee in the inaugural Hyundai A-League. Alongside former 5. Mark Bridge 2012/13 campaign, the Japanese captain and centre-half partner Michael If there is a Wanderers record out there superstar has been unrivalled in his Beauchamp – followed by Matthew chances are its most likely held by Mark ability to make the terraces revel in pure Spiranovic and Alberto – Topor- Bridge. One of the club’s most loyal genius. One of Wanderland’s favourite Stanley’s resilience and leadership has servants, the club’s all-time leading goal sons, Ono left a litany of sensational helped build an aura of impenetrability scorer bleeds Red & Black and has sent moments that will ensure his legacy around the stadium and set the tone for Wanderland into delirium more times remains part of the club forever. the club’s winning mentality. than anyone else.

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Liam Reddy Goalkeeper Goalkeeper The 34-year-old squares off against his Izzo has managed to establish himself as former side, having made six starts for the Mariners’ first choice shot-stopper in the Wanderers so far this season. With what is his third season in the Hyundai 196 league appearances to his name, A-League. The 21-year-old, who has Reddy is one of the country’s most PROUDLY represented Australia at all youth levels, brought to experienced custodians and will be you by has shown plenty of promise in what has relishing the prospect of a finals tilt with been an otherwise forgettable season for the Red & Black. the Central Coast.

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Fox Football

Story by Adam Peacock @adampeacock3 Fox Football Focus Fox Sports will analyse one part of the opposition for every home match

he supersub got a bit of attention this season. Brendon Santalab, TWanderers’ weapon off the bench, uncoiling his unique blend of energy and cutting edge. Some prefer to refer to that ‘energy’ tag as a ‘pest’ but that’s usually the opposition, meaning whatever he’s doing he’s successful at it. Santalab’s six goals, five as a sub, have been rightly acclaimed but look deeper into the stats of who scores when, and it is no surprise to learn the top five teams in the competition lead the league for goals scored in the final 30 minutes of games. Only Melbourne City (23) have Impact scored more goals after the hour mark Santalab has than Wanderers (22). follow on made a habit of 20 with Brisbane and Perth both on 18. changing games It’s no secret more goals are scored late from the bench in games with the fatigue factor than earlier. But these stats don’t lie. six goals this term, five off the bench and Jamal Reiners is back playing football The trick is to give yourself a better all in the last 10 minutes of games. after a family bereavement and is an chance of scoring in those 30 minutes Melbourne City are perhaps the undoubted star of the future. with a supersub. Exhibit A: Santalab, B. exception, but when you have three As for Melbourne Victory and Brisbane have one – Henrique. Six of attacking players as good as Fornaroli, Sydney, if they can belatedly get his seven goals have come after the hour Novillo and Mooy in your midst, the things going, the two leading mark and after he came off the bench, need for replacement excellence is goalscorers in the history of the and he’s a proven match winner as seen somewhat diminished. Hyundai A League – Shane Smeltz in, uh, sorry Wanderland, a Grand Final. Perth don’t have a standout candidate, and have been used Adelaide, too, have a dangerous but have two very dangerous players at predominantly as subs this season. player to inject into the game, though he opposite ends of their career – Richard So in a league as close as it has ever needs to regain fitness to play any part in Garcia has spent the majority of the been between four teams at this stage the finals – Pablo Sanchez, probably the second half of the season coming off the of a campaign, who starts with a bib on Reds’ most natural goal scorer, who has bench to create chances, while teenager could prove as vital as who doesn’t. WandeReRS SHoP get #MatChReady foR WandeRland

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Stay Connected VISIT Wanderland.com.au  15 Today's Match Western Sydney wanderers fc SQUAD S B # Name Position ¨ ¨ 2 Shannon Cole Defender ¨ ¨ 3 Scott Jamieson Defender ¨ ¨ 4 Nikolai Topor-Stanley Defender TODAY'S ¨ ¨ Score 5 Brendan Hamill Defender ¨ ¨ 6 Mitch Nichols Midfielder ¨ ¨ 7 Romeo Castelen Forward ¨ ¨ 8 DIMAS Midfielder MATCH ¨ ¨ 9 Federico Piovaccari Forward Grab a pen and write down your own SUBSTITUTES ¨ ¨ 10 Dario Vidosic Forward ¨ ¨ 11 Brendon Santalab Forward record of the game ¨ ¨ 12 Scott Neville Defender ¨ ¨ 13 Matt Sim Midfielder LADDER Ladder Correct at completion of Round 25 OFF ¨ ¨ 14 Golgol Mebrahtu Forward CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS ¨ ¨ 15 Kearyn Baccus Midfielder 1 MELBOURNE CITY FC 25 13 5 7 61 39 22 44 ¨ ¨ 16 Jaushua Sotirio Forward ON 2 BRISBANE ROAR FC 25 13 5 7 47 39 08 44 ¨ ¨ 17 ALBERTO Defender 3 ADELAIDE UNITED 25 12 7 6 41 28 13 43 ¨ ¨ 18 ANDREU Midfielder OFF ¨ ¨ 19 Mark Bridge Forward 4 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC 25 12 6 7 38 32 06 42 ¨ ¨ 20 Goalkeeper 5 PERTH GLORY 25 12 4 9 46 36 10 40 ¨ ¨ 21 Jacob Pepper Midfielder 6 MELBOURNE VICTORY 25 10 7 8 36 32 04 37 ON ¨ ¨ 22 Defender 7 SYDNEY FC 25 7 10 8 32 34 -02 31 ¨ ¨ 23 Shayne D'Cunha Defender 8 NEWCASTLE JETS 25 7 6 12 23 37 -14 27 ¨ ¨ 30 Goalkeeper 9 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 25 7 4 14 33 48 -15 25 OFF ¨ ¨ 31 Alusine Fofanah Midfielder 10 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 25 3 4 18 30 62 -32 13 ¨ ¨ 32 Defender ¨ ¨ 33 Josh Macdonald Forward Legend ON ¨ ¨ 34 Mario SHABOW Forward P Played W Wins D Draw L Loss F For A Against GD Goal Difference PTS POINTS ¨ ¨ 36 Liam Youlley Midfielder ¨ ¨ 40 Nicholas SUMAN Goalkeeper OFF Coach Assistant Coaches Tony Popovic Hayden Foxe ON Andrés Carrasco

16 The Wanderer Round 26 Today's Match Central Coast Mariners SQUAD S B # Name Position ¨ ¨ 1 Paul Izzo Goalkeeper TODAY'S ¨ ¨ 2 Defender ¨ ¨ 3 Joshua Rose Defender Score ¨ ¨ 4 Jacob Poscoliero Defender ¨ ¨ 5 Harry Ascroft Defender MATCH ¨ ¨ 6 Mitchell Austin Forward Grab a pen and write down your own ¨ ¨ 7 Fabio Ferreira Forward SUBSTITUTES record of the game ¨ ¨ 8 Nick Montgomery Midfielder ¨ ¨ 9 Roy O’donovan Forward Ladder Correct at completion of Round 25 ¨ ¨ 10 Luis Garcia Midfielder OFF CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS ¨ ¨ 12 Trent Buhagiar Forward 1 MELBOURNE CITY FC 25 13 5 7 61 39 22 44 ¨ ¨ 13 Alastair Bray Goalkeeper 2 BRISBANE ROAR FC 25 13 5 7 47 39 08 44 ON ¨ ¨ 14 Daniel Heffernan Forward 3 ADELAIDE UNITED 25 12 7 6 41 28 13 43 ¨ ¨ 15 Bradley M cdonald Defender 4 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC 25 12 6 7 38 32 06 42 OFF 5 PERTH GLORY 25 12 4 9 46 36 10 40 ¨ ¨ 16 Midfielder 6 MELBOURNE VICTORY 25 10 7 8 36 32 04 37 ¨ ¨ 17 Francesco Stella Midfielder 7 SYDNEY FC 25 7 10 8 32 34 -02 31 ¨ ¨ 19 Josh Bingham Forward ON 8 NEWCASTLE JETS 25 7 6 12 23 37 -14 27 ¨ ¨ 21 Michael Neill Defender 9 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 25 7 4 14 33 48 -15 25 ¨ ¨ 22 Jake Mcging Midfielder OFF 10 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 25 3 4 18 30 62 -32 13 ¨ ¨ 23 Tomislav Uskok Defender Legend ¨ ¨ 25 Adam Berry Defender ON P Played W Wins D Draw L Loss F For A Against GD Goal Difference PTS POINTS ¨ ¨ 28 Matthew Fletcher Forward ¨ ¨ 30 Goalkeeper OFF ¨ ¨ 40 Thomas Heward-Belle Goalkeeper PROUDLY brought to you by Coach Tony Walmsley ON

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Story by Domenic Trimboli @dom_trimbolI A forgotten rivalry

They might be occupying opposite ends of the table now but it wasn't too long ago that the Wanderers v Mariners fixture was one of the league’s most anticipated match-ups.

t’s funny how things in football can Sadly for Central Coast fans, such historically speaking, one of the league’s change so quickly. a scenario couldn’t be further from most intriguing to-and-fro’s. Rewind the clock three years back present-day reality as the Mariners It was a rivalry that was a tussle Iand tonight’s clash would’ve been the come into tonight’s fixture having from the very start, as the two hottest ticket in town. already scooped the undesired honour sides played out a 0-0 draw in the ’s resolute Central of the wooden spoon for the first time Wanderers’ first-ever competitive Coast side would have one eye on their in the club’s history. fixture in the 2012/13 season. usual finals series tilt while licking their And although tonight’s battle is almost Few would’ve expected things to lips at the prospect of a late-season exclusively centred on the Wanderers’ unfold as they did thereafter, as the pair visit to Wanderland as the race for the dash for the plate, there will be those would go on to cement themselves as the Premier’s Plate neared its climax. who will remember this match-up as, league’s undisputed top dogs.

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18 The Wanderer Round 26 FEATURE

No Love but This fixture has seen some gripping contests in the past

The quest for the Premier’s plate And while the Wanderers would enjoy scoring department with the Red & Black would soon become a two-horse race and a slither of retribution when they knocked just shading the Mariners 11 goals to nine. it was one that Graham Arnold’s side out the Mariners in the semi-final the With the Mariners having little to led for 14 straight weeks, the Wanderers following season, Red & Black faithful play for tonight, Tony Walmsley’s outfit continually snapping at their heels. will forever be holding their breath until could fixate on evening the ledger against The jostle for top-spot reached its revenge is extracted to the full. the Wanderers as a means of motivation. crescendo in the now fabled Round 23 Tonight the two sides will meet for In a salary-capped league, every clash in where a Labinot Haliti the fourteenth time and despite the club is bound to have its peaks and goal 10 minutes from full-time broke the Mariners’ recent shortcomings, the head- troughs; it’s what makes the Hyundai Mariners’ undefeated record at home and to-head record between the two clubs A-League the competitive, unpredictable catapulted the Wanderers into first—a continues to tell a story of fine margins. competition that is it. position they wouldn’t relinquish as they Of the 13 times the pair have met, the It’s something that the Wanderers will stormed to their first piece of silverware. Wanderers have picked up five victories certainly attest to and it’s something that Though it was the Mariners who against the Mariners’ four. Four draws the Mariners will find solace in, as they would have the ultimate last laugh that account for the remaining fixtures. look to end a disappointing season on an season, triumphing 2-0 in the big dance. It’s also tight in the head-to-head goal- encouraging note.

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Story by David Weiner @davidweiner9 Fox Football Fix An ode to Wanderland

NOISE no one will ever forget. of the Hyundai A-League’s great sights now, a The first time you hear the Red and few of years in. Black Bloc chant, it takes your breath away. The Wanderers were still winless, an unknown Euphoria AOr the first time you see the passionate march; or quantity. It was Alessandro Del Piero and Shinji Game day at the explosion of colour and movement that has made Ono’s first derbies and there was great anticipation Wanderland is Western Sydney games become something that has of the Hyundai A-League finally having a clash almost a spiritual attracted the attention of Australia’s greater sporting between east and west in Australia’s biggest city. event public in recent seasons. You could hardly get a seat then. Good luck It’s a legacy all Western Sydney fans can truly getting one now. be proud of. Then the noise arrived. The thunder. The The first ever Sydney Derby. Pirtek Stadium. banging of the drums. The chanting. The first march. That was the first time I witnessed it. The sea of Red & Black that descended with a It was extraordinary then. Just as it is still one headline for the first time on the Hyundai A-League.

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20 The Wanderer Round 26 Fox Football

Unrivalled passion. Back then, no one knew there would be two grand finals, an unprecedented fairy tale Premiership run and an AFC Champions League miracle. But, build it, and they’ll come. You did. Fans were engaged, given something to believe in, to cherish and to be proud of. And boy, have they come since. Fans have flocked in their droves, to the point that a seat at Wanderland is the hottest ticket in town. Other fans have had to raise their game. The side has been roused and driven across the line thanks to the noise. It has also forced a change in the conversation outside of football. You captured the imagination and brought attention to the code. Some observers might like to ruffle feathers, but mostly, the wider A few intrepid seasons beckon but look at the sporting public just watches on in envy at the positives. Word can be spread to fans who might not cauldron that Wanderland has become. have attended games yet. On Display At times, rather than being the sideshow in the Then, imagine the possibilities. Wanderland is terraces, the electricity at Pirtek Stadium, the vista, Derbies at ANZ Stadium. Rugby league gets one never short on has been the talking point as well, or the subject of grand final and one Origin. noise or colour its own news packages or feature stories. We’ll get three grand final type stages every single regular I know, because there were times when season (and imagine if it was ever to be a season decider!). we’d have video producers tasked with the Then there’s the new $300 million, 30,000 seat sole responsibility of re-creating the magic you stadium. More fans, another phase of membership created as best as possible to convey to the other opportunities for the club. Greater facilities for players fans at home, who couldn’t be there to experience and supporters. A modern, state of the art venue. it themselves. It’s the natural next step in the evolution for the Football fans create a unique atmosphere, that’s Wanderers and what supporters in this sporting well known. You can’t go to the NRL or AFL and hotbed truly deserve. experience the same hairs on the back of the neck. It might be the end of Wanderland as we know But that’s preaching to the converted, here. it but it’s the dawn of another exciting chapter and Thanks to Wanderland, football has been able to massive opportunity for the sport. really put that notion front and centre and walk the walk in Sydney’s cluttered market. And the voice hasn’t just been limited to the noise at the game, with the supporters’ voice off the field, Shootout around the sport, also growing and making a difference. Sunday LIVE AT 7:00PM EDT As wonderful as Pirtek Stadium has looked when Once the final whistle on Sunday at capacity, in full voice and with heaving noise as the sounds, Tara Rushton settles in to host Wanderers have grown, a successful Western Sydney Shootout at 7.00pm alongside Mark was always going to outgrow its intimate surrounds. Bosnich, and . Memories will persist and heroes created. From Each week, the team unpack the action Shinji’s wonder goals, to Covic and Topor-Stanley’s from the previous round and take a defensive heroics, to Bridge’s goals and new heroes look at the lighter side of the game. like Nichols, Castelen and Santalab.

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WITH Anthony Siciliano @a_siciliano17 ANTH's Spot the Difference Can you find the five differences between both photos?

LAST ISSUE'S ANSWERS 1. The Pepper chilli is missing from Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s jersey 2. The star is also missing from Nikolai Topor-Stanley’s jersey 3. There is a pole missing under Mark Bridge elbow 4. The zipper is missing from Jaushua Sotirio’s jacket 5. The ‘D’ is missing of the Aqualand sign

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22 The Wanderer Round 26 Corporate NEWS

A home loan alternative for Western Sydney borrowers Helping the Wanderers community

he housing market in Western Sydney has experienced exponential growth in recent Ttimes and unfortunately many residents in this region are missing out on their piece of the action due to being knocked back when applying for a home loan. Research by Pepper has shown that many individuals in the Western Sydney corridor applying for finance are underserviced by the traditional banks. There are many reasons why people may fall outside of the traditional lending criteria. For example, if you’re a small business owner who has been in operation for less than two years, or endured a life event that limits your capacity to keep up with loan repayments. Specialist lenders can offer a range of solutions Parramatta call centre employing over 100 staff, its to meet your specific circumstances, in particular work with a range of local brokers and its sponsorship those who don’t meet the requirements of the banks. of the Western Sydney Wanderers and Pepper Stadium. Keeping it in Mario Rehayem, director, Sales and Distribution at Pepper is helping Western Sydney to tackle the the family Pepper says residents of Western Sydney shouldn’t home loan market with an exclusive offer for WSW Tanya Geraghty, hang their head on a bank’s response when applying staff, players and Members. The highly competitive Channel for a home or car loan. variable rate of 4.09 per cent per annum coupled Marketing “Look for an alternative lender and ask for a with no establishment fees, saves customers $599 on Specialist at second opinion. As a non-bank lender specialising an already hugely discounted rate. Pepper; Jacob in flexible loan solutions, we know there are a range Wanderers midfielder, Jacob Pepper, also had his say Pepper, Western of circumstances that mean people are locked out “It’s great to see our sponsors rallying behind the Sydney Wanderers of the traditional lending market: they could be club and giving something back to ensure success midfielder; self-employed, have credit impairment or an unusual on and off the field for our fans, players and staff. Mario Rahayem, income source that the banks don’t accept.” This offer will help local Western Sydney-siders get Director, Sales With almost 15 years’ experience in the specialist across the line.” and Distribution lending market, Pepper is proud to be invested and To find out more, visit pepper.com.au/wsw-offer, call at Pepper involved in the Western Sydney region, through its 1300 000 109 or contact your local Mortgage Broker.

Exclusive Home Loan offer for all Wanderers Members

Pepper Group Limited ACN 094 317 665, Australian Credit Licence Number 286655, is the servicer of loans made by Pepper Finance Corporation Ltd ACN 094 317 647

Find out more: pepper.com.au/wsw-offer

Stay Connected FOLLOW US @WSWANDERERSFC    23 SPEEDING HURTS US ALL TAKE FIVE

SPEEDING Take Five Jonathan Aspropotamitis is in the hot seat for HURTS US ALL this edition of the Wanderers Take Five In the movie of your life who would play you? Johnny Depp

Who was your favourite player to watch when you were growing up and why? Lionel Messi because he’s so good at beating defenders and can do anything he wants with the ball

What was your favourite TV show as a child? The Simpsons Your earliest memory of If you were to go to When you were growing up the Wanderers is? Maccas, what is your what did you want to be? I remember them winning the usual order? I wanted to be a professional footballer premiership in their inaugural season A McChicken meal with small chips

What is your favourite What is your favourite film? If you were on X-Factor holiday destination? 22 Jump Street what song would you Greece audition with? What kind of things Take me to Church by Hosier If you were stranded on do you like to do when an island, what would be you're not training or your three essential items? playing football? A football, my laptop and some food I like to play Football Manager, hang out with friends and go to the beach PROUDLY brought to Who is your favourite you by musician? Your signature meal is? Calvin Harris Spaghetti Bolognese

come and pick up your free wanderers code red snap band *Limit of one snap band at code red laser per member until stock runs out

1 hour of laser skirmish for $10 LASER SKIRMISH per person - Valid Monday-Friday Only Not valid during school holidays Parramatta 3/175 James Ruse Drive Rosehill VALID FROM FEB - MARCH 2016 coderedlaser.com.au 9638 3144

Stay Connected WATCH Western Sydney Wanderers TV  25

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Guardian Funerals Wandercrew members of the Week PROUDLY brought to Congratulations to every one of our you by half-time participants who’ve helped make our match days great this season.

If you're interested in volunteering for the club send an email to [email protected] In the Community

Story by Christian Layland @Layles89

Enter your school in the Wanderers Schools Cup Be part of the action!

Proud partners of the Wandercrew

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guardianfunerals.com.au All areas 1300 662 172

he Western Sydney Wanderers Schools Cup is based on their region with the winners moving on to back for another year and your school can enter! the Wanderers Schools Cup Finals. Open to all schools in Western Sydney, The tournament gives players, teachers and Having a Ball Tthe Wanderers School Cup has been running every referees the opportunity to have an enjoyable Last year's year of the club’s existence. football experience while challenging other School's Cup was Schools can enter teams in three divisions: schools in Western Sydney. a resounding · Years 5/6 (mixed) If you are interested in more information success · Year 7 (boys) or you would like to enter your school in the · Year 7 (girls) Wanderers Schools Cup, email us at community@ Each school will play in a qualifying tournament wswanderersfc.com.au.

leaRn to play the WandeReRs Way Holiday CliniCS Call 1300 139 938 to Book in

pRogRaMs staRt fRoM Wednesday 13 JanuaRy 2016 Running thRough the suMMeR sChool holidays all aCRoss WesteRn sydney

foR all the dates and loCations Visit WsWCoMMunity.CoM.au

Stay Connected VISIT Wanderland.com.au  27 tuesday 3 May WandeReRS medal 2016 single tiCket taBle of ten $275* $2,500*

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ensure that notifi cations are enabled Visit the 'points' menu to see how Visit the 'Redeem' menu and use need help? Call the Membership - switch on your phone’s bluetooth to you can start earning your points to claim great prizes services hotline during offi ce receive special messages at Wanderland hours on (02) 8602 6424 DOWNLOAD OUR tuesday 3 May FREE TRAINING APP WandeReRS medal 2016 single tiCket taBle of ten $275* $2,500* gRand BallRooM, allphones aRena pResented By Corner of olympic Boulevard and edwin flack avenue sydney olympic park BlaCk tie RegisteR youR inteRest Contact Ben trupiano by email [email protected] *all prices excl. gst youR step-By-step guide to doWnloading the WsWReWaRdS app to youR sMaRt deViCe SteP 1 SteP 1 Continued SteP 1 Continued SteP 2 FOOTBALL, NRMADE BETTER

search for 'Wanderers Rewards' alternatively scan the QR code above for or scan the QR code above for login with your 'My Wanderers' Key features: in the app store or google play account details and download ... • Video lessons with Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Dimas Delgado, Romeo Castelen and more; including NYL and W-League players. SteP 3 SteP 3 SteP 4 SteP 5 • Tips and challenges to perfect your skills and technique from Trevor Morgan (National Youth League Head Coach) and (Wanderers Academy Technical Director). Download or update the FOOTBALL, NRMADE BETTER training app today! ensure that notifi cations are enabled Visit the 'points' menu to see how Visit the 'Redeem' menu and use need help? Call the Membership - switch on your phone’s bluetooth to you can start earning your points to claim great prizes services hotline during offi ce receive special messages at Wanderland hours on (02) 8602 6424 OUR PARTNERS

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