Why South Hobart return will be ‘special’ for South Melbourne gun

South Melbourne star Andy Brennan cheered with joy at trivia when they drew his old club South Hobart in the Australia Cup. Hear from him before Wednesday’s “special” clash.

South Hobart product Andy Brennan, pictured just before joining Newcastle Jets in 2015, will take on his junior club with South Melbourne in Wednesday’s Australia Cup clash.

South Melbourne’s Andy Brennan started cheering at pub trivia when they drew his junior club South Hobart for Wednesday’s Australia Cup clash.
It was the perfect result for the 32-year-old, who credits South Hobart for giving him “everything” to launch his career.

Brennan played for South Hobart’s seniors from 2010-12, in 2014 and also a short stint during COVID in 2020.

When he runs out onto KGV Oval for the round of 32 contest, it will be a surreal but special moment for the right winger.

“To be honest it’s the game I wanted, playing at home is incredible,” Brennan said.

“I was at trivia with a mate from my team (Jack Painter-Andrews and we were also watching the draw, and in the middle of someone reading out a question we just screamed.

“It was so good, I honestly couldn’t believe it and still now when I see South Hobart v South Melbourne it just feels so weird.

“It feels like a different game for me, it’s more the occasion that hits a bit different, To play in front of family and friends, and there’s still people at South Hobart I’m connected to. But at the same time it’s a game I really want to win.

“My dad isn’t able to travel too much, so it’s been difficult for him to come here (Melbourne) and watch me play. To come home to play in front of him and mum and the rest of the family, it’s really exciting.”

Brennan, who played five A-League games for Newcastle Jets, said South Hobart had set him up for a success as a young talent.

“(They gave me) everything, to be honest,” he said.

“Ken Morton was my coach back then, and my coach for many years leading up to playing with the senior team.

“Without Ken and South Hobart, there’s no chance I’d have done anything like what I’ve done. I pretty much owe everything to him, he was fundamental in all of that.”

South Hobart coach Max Clarke played alongside Brennan at the club for a couple of seasons around 13 years ago.

He said Brennan has made his excitement clear about getting a chance to play his junior club at home.

“He’s said it’s the best thing that’s happened to him for a long time, and has wanted to play in front of a Tassie crowd for a while,” Clarke said.

“He’s over the moon, he keeps calling me and wants to speak about it.

“Andy surpassed me pretty quickly. We trialled together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and it was more me accompanying him for moral support.

“I think I just got in his way because he just wanted to go and score.”

Clarke said they’ve pored over footage to ensure they’re ready for the threat the sharp right winger provides.

Andy Brennan tries to evade a Clarence defender when playing for South Hobart in 2011.

“He’s really good with one-on-ones, and is pretty explosive,” Clarke said.

“We’ve worded up our left back and we’ve gone through a lot of footage of him. We’re feeling pretty confident we can manage him, hopefully the occasion gets the better of him and he gets too excited.”

South Hobart (14 wins, three draw) remain unbeaten in NPL Tasmania after a 2-2 draw with Devonport on Saturday, and face fourth-placed Kingborough this Saturday.

It meant Clarke made a handful of changes to the team which faced the Strikers to ensure the squad is ready for Wednesday’s clash.

“We rested a couple of people and started a different no.9, with good depth we were able to make those changes and still challenge Devonport,” Clarke said.

“It’s about creating a sense of belief now, everyone’s been talking it up as a David v Goliath because it’s a big Melbourne team coming to Hobart.

Andy Brennan in action for South Melbourne. Photo: Andrew Batsch

“But I think we’re the only NPL team in the country who haven’t lost a game. It’s the right time for us (for this challenge), at the moment the feeling in the group is super confident.

“We like to think we can push anyone on our day. There’s a good energy in the group we can push them.

“It’s probably about surviving that first 15-20 minutes when everyone’s excited and after we get through that block we can play a bit more.

“Our goal for first 15 is to make it as hostile and stop-start as possible, so they can’t settle and make it difficult for them to get on the ball.

“We’ll be aggressive, the first few tackles we’ll be flying in to try and unsettle them in a new environment.

Wednesday’s game kicks off at KGV Stadium at 7.30pm.