The resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers have boldly declared their intention to eventually become the leading sporting team in their region.
It is a comment that will raise plenty of eyebrows given Penrith have won the last four NRL premierships – and played in five straight Grand Finals.
Speaking ahead of his team’s A-League elimination semi-final on Saturday night against Melbourne Victory at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta, coach Alen Stajcic made no apologies for aiming big.
‘It’s just the beginning for us,’ he told the Sydney Morning Herald when reflecting on his team’s 12-game unbeaten run.
‘I think we can be and should be bigger than all of them [rival sporting organisations].
‘They [NRL] represent one small town: Penrith Panthers represent Penrith and Parramatta [Eels] represent Parramatta, and we represent everyone, the whole western front.
The resurgent Western Sydney Wanderers have boldly declared their intention to be the leading sporting team in their region (pictured, attacking ace Brandon Borrello)
Given Penrith have won the last four NRL Grand Finals, their fans may scoff at the Wanderers claim (pictured, superstar halfback Nathan Cleary)
‘The demographics of our area is young families, migrant families, first generation Aussies, second generation Aussies – who we know have all come from football backgrounds, and that’s why we could and should be the best (sporting) club in the country.
‘That’s what we are aspiring to be.’
While the Panthers and Eels won’t exactly be shaking in their boots, when their team consistently win football matches, Wanderers fans decked out in red and black turn up in healthy numbers.
It creates an atmosphere rarely seen in the A-League, and if the embattled competition is to stay relevant in the national sporting landscape, the Wanderers must be front and centre.
The club’s famous supporter base – the RBB – will be out in force at Parramatta as the Wanderers look to keep their season alive.
A look back to 2014 shows what the club is capable of.
Against all odds, Tony Popovic’s side won the Asian Champions League, a feat no other A-League franchise has been able to achieve before or since.
Following the epic triumph, it was anticipated in some quarters football would kick on and finally achieve its potential on Australian shores, but sadly the code has gone backwards.
Speaking ahead of his team’s A-League elimination semi-final on Saturday night against Melbourne Victory, Wanderers coach Alen Stajcic made no apologies for aiming big
Meanwhile, a key figure for Western Sydney on Saturday night will be Anthony Pantazopoulos, who was recruited from Victorian state league outfit Oakleigh Cannons a couple of years ago.
The towering defender has won plenty of admirers for his physical nature – and he doesn’t plan on changing his game anytime soon.
‘I get more of a thrill out of going through someone,’ Pantazopoulos said.
‘I’m happy for the team if I score, but personally, there’s nothing better than crunching someone, I really thrive off it.
‘If I play a striker who wants body contact in the first few minutes, then I’m the happiest man alive.’
