Sydney FC star Luke Brattan ready to redeem himself after being sent off in last season’s A-League grand final

Luke Brattan still blames himself for Sydney FC losing last season’s grand final, but he says it’s ‘time to move on’.

Luke Brattan returns to action for Sydney FC on Wednesday night. Picture: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

For five months, Luke Brattan has lived with the self-imposed guilt of costing Sydney FC last season’s A-League grand final.

Sent off in the 35th minute for a second bookable offence with scores locked at 1-1, Brattan says he’s to blame for the Sydneysiders losing June’s championship decider 3-1 to Melbourne City.

“If I didn’t get sent off, we would have had enough experience on the pitch to win that game – I take full responsibility for that,” the star 31-year-old midfielder said.

“It was the first red card of my career, so to have it in a big game like that, it was tough to take.

“Even though I still don’t think it was two yellow cards, I know what the referees are like here and I shouldn’t have put myself and my team in that situation, but that’s how I play.

“I play on the edge, and that’s my job – to get stuck in and set the tone for the team.”

Therefore, don’t expect Brattan to go into his shell on Wednesday night in his first competitive match since the grand final – Sydney’s FFA Cup round of 32 clash against NPL NSW club Sydney Olympic at Belmore Sports Ground.

Luke Brattan (left) tackles Melbourne City’s Aiden O'Neill in last season’s A-League grand final. Picture: William West / AFP

“I’ve been a bit bored. It’s time to move on from the grand final and I’m ready to go,” he said.

“Olympic have got nothing to lose. These are the dangerous games.”

Having watched his side’s “cagey” 0-0 A-League round one derby draw with Western Sydney Wanderers last Saturday night from the sidelines due to suspension, Brattan tipped the Sky Blues to step up a gear against Olympic.

“We’ll only get better from there,” said Brattan, who predicted Sydney to return to the top of Australian club football this season after a rare campaign devoid of silverware.

“We know we’ve got a good group of boys and we’re the most successful team in the country for a reason.

“Melbourne City were good last year. They’re the champions and they’re the team to catch, but we’ve still got the mentality and the quality all around the pitch to win stuff.”

Originally published as Sydney FC star Luke Brattan ready to redeem himself after being sent off in last season’s A-League grand final