A-League grand final: Penalty shootout won’t faze Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne

Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne has already saved four penalties this season, so if Sunday’s A-League decider goes to a shootout he’ll be more than ready.

Andrew Redmayne and the Four Penalties could easily be the name of a 1950s swing band.

The fact it’s actually the tale of a goalkeeper’s new groove paints an entirely different picture altogether, yet also unexpectedly appropriate.

One of new spirit, impeccable timing and plenty of wiggling in pink (the ‘Pink Wiggle’ nickname is off limits).

All of the above could yet go some way to delivering Sydney FC an A-League title on Sunday, after a season in which a reinvigorated Redmayne has, indeed, saved four penalties.

Three in the A-League and one in the FFA Cup reads the 30-year-old’s statistics, not to mention conceding just over a goal per game behind a defence that’s endured unexpected change throughout the campaign.

In Sunday’s grand final against Perth he’ll be pitted against another penalty specialist in Liam Reddy, the hero in last week’s shootout against Adelaide United who saved four spot-kicks and scored one of his own to play a leading role in the Glory’s progression to host the decider at Optus Stadium.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne has been in tremendous form. Picture. Phil Hillyard

While Redmayne himself has never been involved in a penalty shootout, he has witnessed a few.

Back in 2011 he sat on the bench for Brisbane Roar as Michael Theo denied the Central Coast Mariners.

And when Sydney were last in a grand final Redmayne sat on the bench and watched as first choice Danny Vukovic received sideline signals from goalkeeping coach John Crawley and successfully denied Melbourne Victory’s Marco Rojas to set Milos Ninkovic up to pot the winning spot-kick.

Two years on, Redmayne faces the prospect of being that between the posts.

But his style is less studious and “more just go naturally”.

“You’d be naive to say that you don’t do your research,” he said.

“There’s a hell of a lot of video out there and it’s just so easily accessible for everyone.

“But there’s also things that you have to take into your own account, you kind of have to read the situation as well.

Andrew Redmayne saves a penalty in Sydney FC’s win over Melbourne City in February. Picture: Getty Images

“There were a few times this year where I’ve almost been instructed to go one way and I’ve gone the other and it’s come off. It’s just body language, natural instinct.

“At the end of the day it’s just another shot, and you face so many shots a week and a day that you pick up on a lot of subtleties. It just kind of paid off this year.

“You never want penalties to happen. You’d never wish that on yourself, to go through that kind of stress.

“But that’s football - you can never write a script, you can never count your chickens before they hatch.

“I’m confident with whatever scenario I face on the weekend.”

In January 2017 such a statement couldn’t have been further from the truth.

By his own retrospective account, Redmayne was “rubbish” when he first joined the Sky Blues from Western Sydney.

Low on confidence is probably a more fitting phrase, given the errors that so frustrated Wanderers fans were probably more about over-thinking every move than anything to do with his actual skill.

Andrew Redmayne at training ahead of Sunday’s A-League grand final. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Crawley sensed as much and was delighted to reunite with his former Mariners charge, staying back after main sessions to tailor-make the No.2’s game specifically to his strengths.

By June 2017 Vukovic had moved to Belgium and Redmayne was thrust back between the posts.

But it’s this season the re-styling was complete for the shot-stopper who once nearly signed for Arsenal as a teenager, catching the penalty bug and having a big hand in a good number of Sydney’s 16 regular-season wins.

With the return of self-belief came a surprise penchant for watching Dolly Parton documentaries, and he even casually dropped a “find out who you are and do it on purpose” into an interview after one particularly fruitful match early this year.

Probably the least Redmayne has had to do over 90 minutes thus far was last weekend’s 6-1 semi-final caning of Melbourne Victory, a “remarkable performance” he’s sure Steve Corica’s side will use as fuel for the final hurdle.

“We said throughout the year that one day it would click, and I think it’s clicked at the right time of year,” Redmayne said.

“We always thought we were playing well and dominating but were just lacking that final product.

“Everything just fell into place, everyone was on song and did their job exceptionally well.

“Perth have had a fantastic year and we have to give them respect for that, but we’ve hit our straps and have got everyone firing on all cylinders.

“It’s an exciting prospect to step out in the grand final when you’re in peak form.”

OUR FOOTBALL WRITERS’ TIPS FOR THE A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

EMMA KEMP - Sunday Telegraph

Sydney FC to win 2-1.

This is a genuine cliff-hanger, an almost indivisible showdown. Perth have the cutting edge and the popular vote, not to mention confidence in droves after last week’s epic semi-final, but Sydney have been discounted far too often this season, and last weekend’s 6-1 thrashing suggests there are more goals to come.

TOM SMITHIES - Sunday Telegraph

Perth Glory to win by one goal.

The best two teams contest the grand final which is as it should be, and Perth have been the very best team all season. Sydney gave one of their great performances in blowing Melbourne Victory away, and I wonder if they can summon up another against a side driven so hard by the iron will of Tony Popovic.

DAVID DAVUTOVIC - Sunday Herald Sun

Perth Glory to win 2-1 (after extra time).

This one promises to be tight and has drama written all over it. Little splits these two, including one win apiece in Western Australia this season. An intriguing tactical duel is set to unfold between ex-Socceroos and Sanfrecce Hiroshima teammates Tony Popovic and Steve Corica.