Fifty-Third edition season 2015/16 Round 19 VS Wellington Phoenix

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

FEATURES FIFTY-THIRD EDITION SEASON 2015/16 ROUND 19 VS WELLINGTON PHOENIX

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Why we love our Members 8 NPL clicks into gear 18 The Wanderer An ode to the Red & Black faithful Ushering in the NPL era The views in this publication are not necessarily the views of Story by Jacob Windon Story by Domenic Trimboli the NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers FC. Material in this publication is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written Regular Columns permission from the Club.

Open Letter: Today's Match 16 Guardian Funerals Advertising For all advertising enquiries Foundation Member Wandercrew members in The Wanderer or questions Dale Bromfield 5 Fox Football Fix 20 of the Week: Foxtel about partnership with national Youth League the club please contact the Warm Up 6 SLAV'S Spot the Volunteers 26 Corporate Partnerships team [email protected]. Difference 22 Five Things 11 Corporate NEWS: In the Community: PHOTOGRAPHY All photography courtesy Players To Watch: A Winning Why the Community of Ali Erhan, Beans & Neville vs Muscat 13 Partnership 23 Loves the Wanderers 27 Mash Photography, Ben Coonan, Daniel Boud, Eric Berry, Getty Images, Parramatta Fox Football Focus Take Five with Advertiser and Steve Christo. with Adam Peacock 15 25 Our Partners 30

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Open Letter

From the Foundation MEMBER Why this is a club like no other

journey back there would be hundreds of cars joining me on the trip home, showing just how passionate Western Sydney was for football. Since becoming a Foundation Member I have shared in many great memories with my fellow Wanderers family including playing in two Grand Finals, winning the AFC Champions League and some of the Derbies. The Wanderers have made me proud of being from Western Sydney – the place that we all call home. Not only because of the achievements we have had on the domestic and world stage but also because we have players that have been born and bred in Western Sydney taking to the field Western Sydney every week to represent their local club. Through and Like many Members I feel Through connected to the club as they are our Dale has been a designated team and they have lived Wanderer from up to their name of being a community day one club connecting with people from all over Western Sydney. I genuinely believe that this is iving only five minutes away life but I was always drawn back into why the Wanderers have been so from Wanderland and being a playing and supporting football. successful as they have captured the football lover I believed that it was So much so that, prior to community and emphasised all the Lonly right to become a member for my Wanderers, I would often drive to parts of Western Sydney which make it local team in their year of inception. Central Coast to watch Hyundai great and we’re lucky enough to have a It was that club, Western Sydney A-League matches – a much faster heavily football orientated community Wanderers, that I very quickly grew option than heading to Eastern Sydney. to support them. to love. It was on the drives back from As with many from Western that I knew that Western DALE Bromfield Sydney, I played rugby for parts of my Sydney needed a team: on the long Foundation Member #3828

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CMY OFFERING WANDEROUS ODDS THAT

K THE WANDERERS BEAT THE PHOENIX. WiLl ThE WaNdErErSjoin the club GO TO WWW.BETTING.CLUB FOR FURTHER DETAILS. Proud Partners of the BeAtGamble Responsibly 18+ WeLlInGtOn?Western Sydney Wanderers. Stay Connected FOLLOW US @WSWANDERERSFC    5 WARM UP

WHAT DOES THE FOXE SAY With Hayden Foxe

eflecting back on our match give my wife a kiss in the morning but I Ragainst Victory last won’t be buying her any flowers or gifts week I can honestly say that the team’s as she gets the ultimate gift every morning performance was excellent as we when she wakes up next to me. controlled parts of the game despite But Valentine’s Day won’t take the ON THIS DAY conceding one early goal. On any other shine away from what today is really about Courtesy of Andrew Howe night with that type of performance we – our Members. Our Members at the club @AndYhowe_statto would have taken all three points. are very important to us and they drive the Despite only walking away with one feelings of community and support. he last Western Sydney point we still sit at the top of the table Without Members you don’t have Tnational league derby took ahead of today’s match against Wellington a football club so they are super place on this day in 2004, Marconi Phoenix. At the moment they have had important when things are going well defeating Sydney United 3-0 in indifferent results throughout the season and when things aren’t. They’ve shown front of 2,579 at Marconi Stadium. with a mixture of both draws and losses. that they will stick not only with the The two sides went into the game When you look at the Phoenix’s squad team but the club as a whole over the equal sixth on points and with only they are a real threat as they have a very last few seasons with Members staying two further rounds of the 2003/04 strong front four that can open up any loyal and the numbers increasing. season to play the result was defence when they are on song so it will be I hope that today the team can give crucial leading to the NSL top six a difficult and testing game for the squad. back to our Members by playing some play-off series. A good spattering Even though it’s Valentine’s Day today great football and performing as well of future Hyundai A-League stars I won’t be doing anything romantic with as we did in Melbourne but this time were on show including Alex the squad or coaching staff. I will possibly finishing with a win. Brosque, Michael Thwaite and for the home team Match Day PARTNER Fixtures & Results while Sydney United lined up with the likes of , Brendon Scan the QR code below for all score Santalab and Labinot Haliti. The updates across our Hyundai A-League, match was the last at national Westfield W-League and Foxtel league level between these two National Youth League matches. local rivals, an intense and closely- contested twenty-year history where ultimately Marconi had a slight edge winning 17 to Sydney United’s 14 (17 draws). Their 1988 grand final at Parramatta Stadium, eventually won by Marconi on penalties, was one of the all-time NSL grand final classics.

6 The Wanderer Round 19 WARM UP

#HASHTAG You can earn 20 points in the WSW Rewards app by using the official hashtag +20 +100 Field Reporter #wsw - PLUS you could POINTS POINTS With Catherine Cannuli @Cannuli_13 appear in The Wanderer.

ike all Wanderers fans across the loyalty of our thousands of Members LWestern Sydney who didn’t travel to at the club. I believe that the Members +500 the match last Saturday in Melbourne make the club so without the thousands POINTS + I tuned in to watch our clash against at that pledge their allegiance every 5000 the Victory on TV. It was a great season to the Red & Black we wouldn’t POINTS performance by the team and we really have such a special football club. + should have won and taken the three Our opponents, the Phoenix have 7000 POINTS points back home with us. really struggled this season to get the We created a lot of dangerous results and have been stuck at the other @blakelaz  opportunities and just struggled to finish end of the table. Like every game in the our chances. Statistically, there were 30 Hyundai A-League each team has an balls into the box during the second half even chance of winning so this should alone and we only got one goal out of all make for a great day of football. these chances which created some really As we are currently sitting at the top of stressful football to watch as a supporter. the ladder everyone is looking to knock us Luckily, Brendon Santalab was off the top and today will be no different. substituted onto the field late in the second Being a football lover and not the half and it was thanks to his individual biggest romantic I will be able to attend  skill and desire to score a goal that we the game on Valentine’s Day as this is as @roseghabach were able to walk away with one point. romantic as I get. I hope the team today Today’s match against Wellington can share the love back to their Members Phoenix is a special match as we celebrate and gift us the three points. WSWREWARDS doWnload the aPP today!  turn to page 28 now to see how you can earn @garonjs3 7,000 points by being a member scout. Plus you Can earn 100 bonus Points* for entering the code 'WsWRnd19' into the app!

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Story by JACOB WINDON @JacobWindon Why we love our Members

A football club is nothing without support from the stands. Luckily, the Wanderers are able to boast some of the most loyal and passionate Members in the country.

t all started on a cold winter’s evening in July his shell of a side had secured the unflinching support 2012. The venue was Cook Park in St Mary’s, of the terraces not only before a ball had even been the opposition Nepean FC. kicked but before a team had been put together. Through thick IFootball Federation Australia had formed the new In front of 3,500 onlookers, including a ‘noisy and Thin Western Sydney club in April. Three months on, the bunch on the northern hill’, the Wanderers defeated Support for the Wanderers were to play their first ever match. the NPL side 5-0. Witnesses fondly recall the club has been The team was thrown in at the proverbial deep occasion as the start of a love affair and as the unwavering since end. Tony Popovic has barely got his feet under prologue of the most remarkable sporting journeys season one the desk and for this encounter he had just seven Australia has seen. contracted players at his disposal with the squad You couldn’t blame the would-be-Wanderers almost entirely comprised of trialists. fans for approaching the night with relative caution: If anything, it was at this moment that the fans a cold weeknight, a fair drive and the slightly learnt of the new manager’s ethos: there would be uncomfortable factor of not knowing what to expect no room for excuses. Likewise, Popovic caught a would put off the ordinary punter. glimpse of the mentality of his new fans. He might As those who attended Cook Park that night not have known it at the time but the manager and would quickly discover, this was no ordinary club and

8 The Wanderer Round 19 FEATURE

It was to be an institution “ for Western Sydney by Western Sydney”

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it would house no ordinary supporters. Something Although the gap is diminishing by the year, special reverberated around that ground that night. Australia’s Hyundai A-League is somewhat Something extraordinary was stirring in the west. ostracised from the rest of the global game. It is by Drawcard In the months previous, the FFA held supporter no means outlandish to suggest that the league’s The Red & Black forums across the Western Sydney region. Members profile rose at the same time the Wanderers and faithful have met, ate, drank and designed their football club. their fans took the game down under by storm. made match day It was to be an institution for Western Sydney The Wanderers are a product of the sport’s at Wanderland by Western Sydney. It was clear from the club’s modernity but the fans’ ability to harness the the hottest ticket formative stages that the governing body was traditional cornerstones of and in town committed in fostering a community focus for integrate them into the fabric of the club so the league’s newest player, but they needn’t have effectively has been nothing short of amazing. worried: the Western Sydney region was very much But Wanderers’ Members are more than just on the same page. the best support in the league. They are the beating Almost four years on and the dust is finally heart of the club and the pillars of the Western settling on the Wanderers’ entrance to the Hyundai Sydney community, united under one banner. They A-League. The impact the club has had on the are one family fiercely proud of their heritage, proud league has been profound with the side delivering of the region’s sprawling, culturally diverse suburbs. a frankly unthinkable amount of success in little Together, they have shown that Western Sydney can over three seasons. The arrival of the Red & Black achieve amazing things. changed the game in so many ways but it was a In an era where the moral compass of the beautiful change only made possible by the community of game continues to plummet south, a love story Western Sydney itself. continues to unfold in the heartland of football.

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10 The Wanderer Round 19 Five Things

FIVE THINGS Our top five Member Moments

1 3 5

4 2 4. AFC Champions League screening in Centenary square Fans gathered and chanted in nervous 2. Away fans at Brisbane excitement until the early hours of the Grand Final morning as the Wanderers defeated It was the Wanderers’ second invitation Al-Hilal in the 2014 Final. Organised to the big dance and the occasion will by Parramatta Council, the live site in live long in the history of the competition Centenary square featured a 4.8 by 2.4 as the day Wanderers fans took over metre outdoor screen and was watched 1. AFC Champions League Brisbane. Over 10,000 travelling Red & by thousands of jubilant supporters. homecoming Black fans made the trip for the sell- Tony Popovic and his men were out Grand Final with Tony Popovic 5. RBB Bushfire appeal faced with some of the most hostile describing the support as an honour. They’re best known for spearheading atmospheres they will ever face on their Wanderland’s transformation into the ACL journey so the welcome home 3. First Westfield league’s most intimidating stadium but party would have been all the sweeter Appearance the RBB have been no strangers in when the squad returned down under. The Wanderers were greeted to a rock rallying around and supporting the local The team was met by a sea of Red & star reception when the side appeared at community. In a long string of charitable Black and a cacophony of noise when Parramatta Westfield for the first time. acts, the RBB raised $15,000 for victims the side arrived at Sydney airport in one Supporters crammed into what space for the New South Wales Salvation of the most remarkable sporting scenes they could with every floor packed out Army Bushfire Appeal in the wake of the Australia has ever witnessed. with Red & Black-clad chanting fans. 2013 bushfire disaster across NSW.

WE SING FOR WANDERERS

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Players To Watch

PLAYERS TO WATCH EVERY MATCH WE GIVE YOU THE HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS ON TWO OPPOSING PLAYERS

Neville MUSCAT

Tackles Won

38 22

Blocks

6 5

Chances Created

7 6

Scott Neville Defender Manny Muscat Defender In his first season at the Wanderers, Now in his eighth season with the club, Neville has made the right-back spot his Muscat is one of the Phoenix’s most own. Defensively sound and always willing loyal and reliable custodians. Capable to spring forward, the former Newcastle PROUDLY of playing across the back four and in brought to Jets man has improved with every passing you by midfield, the Maltese internationals week and is one of the most consistent experience will be vital to Ernie performers in the Wanderers line-up. Merrick’s youthful Wellington outfit.

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Fox Football

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

hey’ve left a bit out there. It’s a golf term, and yeah, the quaint surrounds of the links and the raucous Tatmosphere of a Wanderers game don’t share many traits. But stick with me here. Wanderers have done just that – the type of fate a golfer feels when he or she plays brilliantly well tee to green, only for the putter to cause frustration. They’ve left a bit out there. Sure, it happens to any football side in a season but numerous times Wanderers have been in complete control of a contest only for certain forces to conspire against them. Both Sydney derbies, which zero points were garnered, when two, four or six could easily have been won, and the second meeting with Melbourne City where a late Harry Novillo winner cruelled hopes of anything. And last weekend, when all that was missing was another final product to go with Brendan Santalab’s ripping drive. I am going to leave the golf analogy for now because anyone who doesn’t like the game Brisbane took it, belting a hapless Central usually suffers a sudden case of snoring when Coast Mariners. it is discussed. Melbourne City didn’t, beaten by an Big Swing So to the main point of concern – a win over enthusiastic and proactive Newcastle, which was a Santalab's Wellington, however it comes, is a must. welcome sight for Novacastrians. thumping strike The poor Nix have struggled for the majority of Roar might be top by the time you read this. last week was this season and head this side of the Tasman in a real Sydney, and either City or Victory may have cut the enough to keep rut. No wins since December 5, just two points in gap to three points. the Wanderers nine games and a personnel issue so bad Sonny Bill So the equation is simple. As far as trophy on top Williams could play a fourth sport if he hung around hunting is concerned, anything less than three Sydney after last weekend’s 7’s. points is akin to tonking it out of bounds and Two of Wanderers’ premiership chasing rivals smashing your own front windscreen in the carpark. had this kind of opportunity last weekend. Sorry, couldn’t help it. Friday night Football fRiday 26 febRuaRy

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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 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 18 OFF ¨ ¨ 14 Golgol Mebrahtu Forward CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS ¨ ¨ 15 Kearyn Baccus Midfielder 1 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC 18 10 4 4 30 20 10 34 ¨ ¨ 16 Jaushua Sotirio Forward ON 2 BRISBANE ROAR FC 18 10 4 4 30 21 09 34 ¨ ¨ 17 ALBERTO Defender 3 MELBOURNE CITY FC 18 8 4 6 44 33 11 28 ¨ ¨ 18 ANDREU Midfielder OFF ¨ ¨ 19 Mark Bridge Forward 4 MELBOURNE VICTORY 18 8 4 6 28 22 06 28 ¨ ¨ 20 Goalkeeper 5 SYDNEY FC 18 7 7 4 24 19 05 28 ¨ ¨ 21 Jacob Pepper Midfielder 6 ADELAIDE UNITED 18 7 6 5 26 23 03 27 ON ¨ ¨ 22 Defender 7 PERTH GLORY 18 6 4 8 27 28 -01 22 ¨ ¨ 23 Shayne D'Cunha Defender 8 NEWCASTLE JETS 18 5 4 9 15 27 -12 19 ¨ ¨ 30 Liam REDDY Goalkeeper 9 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 18 4 4 10 20 32 -12 16 OFF ¨ ¨ 31 Alusine Fofanah Midfielder 10 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 18 3 3 12 23 42 -19 12 ¨ ¨ 32 Daniel Alessi 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 19 Today's Match Wellington Phoenix SQUAD S B # Name Position ¨ ¨ 1 Goalkeeper TODAY'S ¨ ¨ 2 Manny Muscat Defender ¨ ¨ 3 Justin Gulley Defender ¨ ¨ 4 Midfielder Score ¨ ¨ 5 Troy Danaskos Defender MATCH ¨ ¨ 6 Dylan Fox Defender Grab a pen and write down your own ¨ ¨ 8 Alex Rodriguez Midfielder ¨ ¨ SUBSTITUTES record of the game 9 Alex JONES Forward ¨ ¨ 10 Michael McGlinchey Midfielder

Ladder Correct at completion of Round 18 ¨ ¨ 11 Kwabena Appiah Forward OFF CLUB P W D L F A GD PTS ¨ ¨ 12 Blake Powell Forward 1 WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS FC 18 10 4 4 30 20 10 34 ¨ ¨ 13 Albert Riera Midfielder 2 BRISBANE ROAR FC 18 10 4 4 30 21 09 34 ¨ ¨ 14 Midfielder ON 3 MELBOURNE CITY FC 18 8 4 6 44 33 11 28 ¨ ¨ 15 James McGarry Midfielder

4 MELBOURNE VICTORY 18 8 4 6 28 22 06 28 ¨ ¨ 16 Defender OFF 5 SYDNEY FC 18 7 7 4 24 19 05 28 ¨ ¨ 17 Midfielder 6 ADELAIDE UNITED 18 7 6 5 26 23 03 27 ¨ ¨ 18 Defender ON 7 PERTH GLORY 18 6 4 8 27 28 -01 22 ¨ ¨ 19 Defender 8 NEWCASTLE JETS 18 5 4 9 15 27 -12 19 ¨ ¨ 20 Lewis Italiano Goalkeeper 9 WELLINGTON PHOENIX 18 4 4 10 20 32 -12 16 ¨ ¨ 21 Forward OFF 10 CENTRAL COAST MARINERS 18 3 3 12 23 42 -19 12 ¨ ¨ 22 Defender Legend ¨ ¨ 23 Matthew Ridenton Midfielder ON P Played W Wins D Draw L Loss F For A Against GD Goal Difference PTS POINTS ¨ ¨ 24 Forward ¨ ¨ 30 Oliver Sail Goalkeeper OFF Coach Assistant Coaches PROUDLY brought to you by Ernie Merrick Jonathan Gould ON

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Story by Domenic Trimboli @dom_trimbolI NPL clicks into gear

The next generation of Wanderers are due to take the pitch for the first time when the 2016 NSW National Premier Leagues kick-off in March.

t’s certainly an exciting time to be part of the footballing community in Western Sydney. Scoring IFrom 2016 onwards, the Wanderers’ for fun youth side, together with the club’s newly Lachlan Scott introduced academy teams, will enter into has been in fine the NSW National Premier Leagues. pre-season form When the season proper begins next for the NPL team month, it will mark a significant moment in the Wanderers’ development and growth into a world-class football club. It will also mean that the Wanderers will effectively have ten different teams representing the club, from the U13 academy side right through to the Hyundai A-League squad. This new framework gives elite youth players in Western Sydney an

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18 The Wanderer Round 19 FEATURE

Finishing Touches The NPL pre-season is drawing to a close established pathway for progression The Wanderers’ youth side, along with the opportunity to hone their who will play in the NPL 2 Men’s skills in a high-level environment. competition, have been in impressive A big part of this environment will be pre-season form, with an 8-0 win over the Wanderers’ soon-to-be built training Marconi Stallions and a 4-0 victory complex in Rooty Hill. against Mt Druitt Town Rangers in Sprawling over eight hectares, recent weeks. the complex will include the club’s It’s set to be a busy month for the headquarters and offices, along with 9.5 team as they ramp up the workload pitches and spectator facilities. ahead of the first round with further trial At an estimated cost of $30 million, games against Sydney United 58 and St it’s set to be a game-changer for George FC to come. football in Australia and it’s one that With pre-season preparations the Wanderers will be hoping to make across all age groups having been in the most of. full swing for some time now, there’s Early signs indicate that the club is a high hope that the Wanderers’ first brimming with the talent to back up foray into the NPL world will begin on the investment. a successful note.

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Story by Fox Football @Foxfootball Fox Football Fix In Mitch Nichols and Mark Bridge, the Wanderers have one of the league's deadliest duos

he Hyundai A-League has been blessed , ‘the Killer B’s’ led Sydney FC’s with some fabulous imports. attack to a 2010 Grand Final victory against From the Broich-Berisha combination Melbourne Victory. White Hot Tat Brisbane to the Albanian’s current combination Pace, intricate touches and deft movement Nichols is one with , Gui Finkler and Fahid Ben were the hallmarks of their combination under goal away from Khalfallah, or the rampant partnership of Bruno Vitezslav Lavicka but sadly for Sky Blues fans, equalling his Fornaroli and Harry Novillo, they’ve created magic both headed for pastures new to re-invigorate highest league time and time again. their careers: Brosque to Japan, before tally But it’s time we also look within for some of returning to become the captain at Moore Park the best combinations in the Hyundai A-League and Bridge down the road to the new Western at the moment. Sydney franchise. +20 +100 Look no further than at Wanderland. Five years later, is the 30-year-old about to POINTS POINTS Mark Bridge was once part of a deadly spearhead another trophy winning run alongside local attacking combination, when alongside another Socceroo, Mitch Nichols? +500 can't attend a match? POINTS + 5000 POINTS + release your seat 7000 and be ReWaRded POINTS

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20 The Wanderer Round 19 Fox Football

Bridge, who has crept into fourth on the all-time Hyundai A-League goal scoring charts with 57 goals (behind , and ) is one of the most decorated, yet unheralded attacking assets in the competition’s history. Alongside Nichols in this enterprising Wanderers outfit, he could be destined for yet more silverware. The pair have directly combined for five goals this term with Bridge assisting three of Nichols goals. Nichols, who is showing he is nearing his best again, has kindly returned the favour with two assists for Bridge. The Wanderers have seven wins from the seven games Bridge has scored in this term. Both men are finding clever pockets of space, reaping havoc with their clever movement and are developing a telepathic understanding that only genuine creative players can conjure. Bridge has also shown his versatility; he’s shown he can create from deeper or be deployed wider. In recent weeks, he’s led the line for Tony Popovic, meaning others like Romeo Castelen, Dario Vidosic and Jaushua Sotirio can flourish too. They’re both hugely influential and headed for career best campaigns. Nichols has eight goals, chasing the 10 he netted when Brisbane won in 2011-2012, while a testament to Bridge’s longevity is that he only needs three more goals to reach the 11 he scored in 2012-2013. They’ve scored a tick over half the side’s Mr. Dependable goals this term. Bridge is the So while going global adds to the Hyundai Wanderers' A-League’s stocks, sometimes the best talent is right greatest ever in front of us. goalscorer

Shootout Sunday LIVE AT 7:00PM EDT Once the final whistle on Sunday sounds, Tara Rushton settles in to host Shootout at 7.00pm alongside Mark Bosnich, Ned Zelic and John Kosmina. Each week, the team unpack the action from the previous round and take a look at the lighter side of the game.

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WITH Slavisa Djukic @Slavisa28 Sl av's Spot the Difference Can you find the five differences between both photos?

LAST ISSUE'S ANSWERS 1. The Wanderers and Nike logos have been swapped on Dario Vidosic’s jacket 2. The ball is missing from the background 3. The white tag s missing from Mark Bridge’s jersey 4. The D is missing from the word Wanderland 5. Andrés Carrasco’s watch is missing

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22 The Wanderer Round 19 Corporate NEWS

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he Coffee Emporium’s origins John Ayoub, Director of The The Coffee Emporium family.” date back to 1991 in Western Coffee Emporium, stated the The Coffee Emporium is extremely Sydney when coffee aficionado partnership is a perfect match. proud of the amazing results achieved by the TJohn Ayoub stumbled upon a rustic “Joining forces with the Western Wanderers in such a short period of time. coffee shop located in Bankstown. He Sydney Wanderers has been an amazing Sam Ayoub, Director of The acquired the shop in 2002 and, together success story with a passionate fan and Coffee Emporium, mentioned that with his cousin Sam Ayoub, formed a growing membership base that continues the Wanderers have achieved some great partnership to take the brand on to grow and prosper,” said John. remarkable achievements to date. an exciting journey from single-shop “We are confident that the association “The Wanderers are a source of operator to multi-site international of two very respectable brands like The inspiration for anyone willing to achieve franchising sensation in 2015. Coffee Emporium and the Western Sydney their dreams,” said Sam. In 2015/16 The Coffee Emporium Wanderers will bring great excitement The Coffee Emporium is very proud became the Exclusive Membership to our guests, franchise partners and the to be an active member of the Western Partner of the Western Sydney Wanderers community at large. We are very proud to Sydney community alongside the in a partnership based on the philosophy be part of this amazing partnership as we Wanderers and believes the future looks of working together and winning together. sincerely feel the Wanderers are part of very bright and dynamic.

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SPEEDING Take Five Jaushua Sotirio is in the hot seat for this HURTS US ALL edition of the Wanderers Take Five

What kind of things do you like to do when you're not training or playing In the movie of your life What was your favourite TV football? who would play you? show as a child? Chill with friends, listen to music and Channing Tatum Dragon Ball Z play FIFA

If you were stranded on an What is your most Your signature meal is? island, what would be your treasured possession? Chicken Schnitzel with mashed potato three essential items? My phone and veggies A phone, headphones and a female companion What is your favourite If you were on X-Factor holiday destination? what song would you What would you buy with Paris audition with? your last $50? Stand By Me by Ben E. King A lotto ticket Who is your favourite musician? Who was your favourite Chris Brown player to watch when you PROUDLY brought to were growing up and why? What is your favourite film you by Zinedine Zidane because of his ability and actors? and we have the same background Rush Hour and Chris Tucker

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Guardian Funerals Wandercrew members of the Week Congratulations to our Foxtel National PROUDLY Youth League Wandercrew team. brought to you by If you're interested in volunteering for the club send an email to [email protected] In the Community

Story by Jacob Windon @jacobwindon

Why the community loves the Wanderers Wanderland is a special place for Foundation Member Mark Stavroulakis

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Plan your own goodbye with Australia’s leading prepaid funeral plan. Proud Westie Mark was there at the Wanderers' first ever match at Cook Park guardianfunerals.com.au All areas 1300 662 172

aving a Western Sydney club Wanderers played their first ever “This feeling is present at every game in the Hyundai A-League was match at Cook Park in 2012 where the you go to, whether it be home or away”. a long time coming, Wanderers defeated Nepean 5-0. Whilst the Wanderers took a while to Hbut it’s been worth the wait for fans like Like so many others in attendance get up and running on the pitch, Mark Mark Stavroulakis. that night, it was the beginning of a deep says the match day experience at the club Mark’s the quintessential Westie, a born infatuation with the club for Mark who is akin to the best he’s ever witnessed: and bred Western Sydney boy hailing felt the club had struck the correct note particularly the . from Greenacre, the Greek-Australian has with fans from the word go. “The rivalry is something myself and been a staunch football supporter since the “Everything was right. I’d looked many others have always dreamt of having. heady days of the NSL. at what they’d done in the months You used to only be able to see that feeling But it was the arrival of the team in beforehand, how they’d taken the first of intense hatred and passion overseas. 2012 that rekindled a passion for the game to a local grassroots club.” “There’s a community feeling here that Hyundai A-League and captured his heart. “It all boils down to the fact that intensifies when watching the local boys “It gave me the spark to go and watch when you’re born and bred in Western play and you realise this feeling isn’t fake. A-League again because I was getting less Sydney, it comes down to that stigma of It’s very rare that you see a success story and less enthusiastic about it”, he says. always giving it 110%, of never giving like the Wanderers in Australian football, He was present at the landmark up and that was the motto I got from the to have experienced something like that moment for the club when the club straight away. in our backyard is very special.”

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