Reminiscent of their A-League debut more than two years ago, the Western Sydney Wanderers were again held to a goalless draw with the Mariners on Wednesday night.
In a game of passion and a vocal 14,000-strong crowd, I was reminded just how good it is calling Parramatta Stadium home.
On a summery November night, with a cool breeze enveloping the stadium and the echoing rumble of the RBB engulfing us all, Pirtek Stadium showed us all why the Wanderers have already found their perfect home.
After a prolonged absence from the warm embrace of a home game, the night was one of celebration and a collective sigh of relief as we snatched our first point of the season.
A much improved performance from the Wanderers – combined with the inspiring atmosphere of a stadium decked out in red and black – reminded everyone and all the joy of calling the Stadium home.
Walking home in a mixture of contentment and disappointment, I realised there is no need for the Wanderers to go wandering in search of a new home base. They have already found a perfect one, and much like a young bachelor opting for a lonely mansion rather than a homely apartment, a switch to ANZ would be beyond ludicrous.
While I agree accommodating larger crowds are a priority, a move away from the heart of Western Sydney would be, in my eyes, a monumental mistake. Although perhaps a few thousand short of optimum capacity, Parramatta is truly where the Wanderers belong.
Despite the most optimistic outlook, the A-League isn’t capable of decently filling a mammoth stadium such as ANZ. On Wednesday night we struggled to fill Pirtek to even three quarter capacity and even given that it was a mid-week game, such a turn-out doesn’t bode well for such a big upgrade that a move to ANZ would entail.
It is an upgrade of the much smaller kind that is needed. I am of course alluding to the highly sought after renovations to Pirtek Stadium. Initial talks of upgrading and or demolishing the stadium look to be pricey, with an estimated $400 million needed to fulfil such lofty ambitions.
But with thousands of die hard Western Sydney supporters who pay their taxes just like everyone else, such an investment seems more than appropriate and similarly necessary.
It was during the game on Wednesday night the ever-vocal RBB lent their proverbial voice to the issue with a “No to ANZ” banner met with plenty of cheers and nods of agreement from the fans clad in red and black. And although logistically more suitable, I can’t help but agree – ANZ is not where the Wanderers belong.
It was upon the Wanderers’ return home to Parramatta that my own and many other fans’ footballing passion once again started beating after a far too long absence.
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