Western Sydney Wanderers striker Mitch Duke understands why it’s so important for his club to represent their region
When east meets west in Sydney terms, both teams need to feel the divide means something. From the very first A-League Sydney derby in October 2012, the intensity, the passion and the drama have been driven by a sense of identity.
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When east meets west in Sydney terms, both teams need to feel the divide means something.
From the very first A-League Sydney derby in October 2012, the intensity, the passion and the drama have been driven by a sense of identity.
Most of all that is what defines the Wanderers. A club built to reflect the people of Western Sydney fairly pulsed with regional pride, especially when that club was so successful.
Chastened by a mix of poor results and geographic dislocation in the past three years, the Wanderers have suffered also from a sense among some fans that they have become rather disenfranchised.
It’s why the return to Parramatta is so crucial, to restore a focal point, but also a sense that the players understand their region.
Mitch Duke gets it. A local boy who has come back to his roots to play, he can articulate what that means — for him, and for a clutch of the youth team players graduating to the senior squad such as Nick Suman, Tass Mourdoukoutas and Kosta Grozos.
“The young boys coming through are playing where they grew up,” Duke said. “When you play where you're from there's a small difference, maybe in your heart, a bit of extra passion in certain games.
“This is our city, this our football, you want to own it and be the best. When I was playing for the Mariners, I always had in my heart that I'd love to represent where I'm from at some point.
“It's why I'm absolutely loving being here — you don't want to accept any loss when close friends and family are there always supporting you.
“I feel like we're on our way to regaining that pride and that reputation.”
The period on the road while the old Parramatta Stadium was replaced won’t end with a bang, a likely crowd of some 20,000 — and that, Duke admits, hurts the players.
“Personally I'm buzzing to play in my first derby,” he said. “When I was first playing it was huge: massive crowds, lots of passion with the divide in the city. Hopefully there'll be a good atmosphere and a good performance from the boys in this one.
“But a massive factor from personal experience is the way we've been bouncing between Spotless and ANZ for our 'home' games.
“We actually didn't have that home advantage as it felt like we've been playing in a neutral stadium. That also affects the crowds, people didn't want to come to these ‘temporary’ stadiums.
“For whatever reason, the lack of the crowds has affected the club — since I've been here I haven't really noticed the RBB.
“I don't know the reasons behind it, but hopefully going back to Parramatta — and our performances in this last quarter of the season — will tell the fans there's a lot to look forward to. There's quality in the team, and we can make an impact next season.”
His confidence is based on the uptick in results since he signed in January, and scored within 20 seconds of coming on.
“Within the squad, all the boys have bought into what we're doing,” he said. “It's about getting everyone on the same level, the players, the fans, the club … everyone coming together and being positive. It goes both ways in that sense.”
Originally published as Western Sydney Wanderers striker Mitch Duke understands why it’s so important for his club to represent their region
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