Captaincy is a natural fit for Brendan Hamill as Wanderers seek early silverware
THE armband is a permanent addition, but not a lot else will change for Brendan Hamill as Western Sydney’s new captain.
THE armband is a permanent addition, but not a lot else will change for Brendan Hamill as Western Sydney’s new captain.
Taken aside recently by new coach Markus Babbel and given the leadership role, Hamill has always prided himself on being a vocal member of a club where he is into his fifth year.
The immediate priority is Wednesday night’s FFA Cup quarterfinal away to Melbourne City, but Hamill – who will climb towards the top five appearance holders at the club in the early weeks of the season – is keen to play a role in implementing Babbel’s blueprint and returning the Wanderers to the top of the table in the A-League season.
“We can always improve, no matter what,” Hamill said. “I think 13 or 14 weeks in (to preseason) we can be content with where we are, and we have enough friendly and cup games left to iron out the creases.
“All it comes down to is hard work and discipline, that’s the Western Sydney Wanderers identity. With that comes a winning mentality, so we have to trust the process and structure, and how we want to play.
“It was tough last season for plenty of reasons, but with a full pre-season under Markus and his new support staff, it all adds to being stronger and being together.
“He’s pretty experienced if you look at his pedigree. Automatically the respect is there, the presence is there, it’s priceless.
“He’s played Champions League, national team, so any information he gives to each of us is priceless.
““We have a standard, we have a goal, and we will give ourselves the best chance to be successful.”
Hamill himself is determined to hit new heights, aware that having turned 26 on Tuesday he is no longer a promising youngster.
“This is probably my third pre-season in a row where I’ve had no injuries, touch wood,” he said. “There’s still a few weeks left, and I’m coming to an age where I have to be hitting my peak now.
“I feel fit and strong, and excited. I just want to play, and I want to lead. Naturally I do that, and I want to win titles. This is a quarterfinal and I want to lift silverware as a captain.”
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Originally published as Captaincy is a natural fit for Brendan Hamill as Wanderers seek early silverware
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