Not since the sun first dawned upon Australian sport has a team embraced its namesake to this extent.
As parochial Western-Sydneysiders brace themselves for the forecasted downpours for Saturday’s clash with the Mariners, little can stop the surge that is the Red and Black Bloc as thousands are set wander the F3 to Bluetongue Stadium.
Billed as the biggest, most anticipated regular season game since the A-League’s inception, fans quickly snapped up tickets to ensure their spot at a potential grand final preview.
The Mariners reignited the hostile relations between themselves and Sydney FC earlier in the season – two ‘Away’ supporter bays were all that were allocated – the F3 derby with the Jets, a mere three.
However, come Saturday, the top of the table clash will see nine – yes, nine – away supporter bays bursting at the seams with excitement and anticipation.
It was the Wanderers who played host to the Mariners in their maiden outing, holding on for a nil-all draw in a result which many would have regarded as good a showing as a win.
Fast forward four months and the Wanderers would not dare define anything less than three points as a success with the side being undefeated since – you guessed it – the Mariners got the best of them at Parramatta Stadium in an unlucky display for the men in red and black.
Having won seven consecutive games since that day, the Wanderers will head into this week’s clash with the Mariners full of exuberance and a willingness to clinch top spot on the A-League ladder.
The hosts themselves will back up from their mid-week Asian Champions League draw with Suwon Bluewings, following last weekend’s 6-2 thrashing of Melbourne Victory.
Come the whistle’s call of full time on Saturday, it will be hard to sour the spirit of those at the game, even if their side fails to secure three points.
The capacity crowd expected to file into the stadium will confirm the rapidly rising status of Australian football, while inadvertently forging another league rivalry set to spark interest in the game for many a season to come.
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Here is the way the Roar expert panel sees all the action unfolding across the final weekend of play prior to the semi-finals.
Central Coast Mariners' star striker Angel Torres has been stood down from playing in the A-League Men after he was charged with sexual assault. …
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The Mariners must deal with possibly their toughest challenge yet - Kyrgyzstan’s FK Abdysh-Ata Kant in the first leg of the semifinal.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
A good performance from Michael Ruhs, scoring twice to beat Macarthur and doubling his season goal tally in the process.
