Perth Glory recruit Travis Dodd will put friendships aside when he confronts his former Adelaide United team-mates in Sunday’s A-League clash at nib Stadium.
Dodd was a revered figure during his six-year stint at Adelaide, but left the club in somewhat acrimonious circumstances earlier this year when he failed to secure a suitable contract extension.
Adelaide’s loss became Perth’s gain as the Glory snared the 31-year-old attacking midfielder on a two-year deal.
And with the two clubs to face off in their season opener, Dodd revealed he had already been involved in some friendly pre-match banter with his former team-mates, particularly with Brazilian Cassio.
“He’s a left full-back and he reckons he’s going to sink the boot in a couple of times, which will be interesting,” Dodd joked on Monday.
“I’ve got a lot of friends there but you put all of that aside once you get out there and start playing for the three points.
“I’m sure it will be a bit of a weird feeling. There’s going to be a lot of emotion in it, but I can’t wait to get out there and play.
“… But you can’t put too much emotion and get caught up in all the hype around the game because it just detracts from your own personal game.”
Dodd said the move to Perth had been a refreshing one, and hopes to reap the benefits on the park.
“I can stand here and say now that I’m happy that I’m here,” Dodd said.
“It was a tough decision … but now that I’ve been here for five, six months and the family is over here and settled, I’m here at a great club and with a great bunch of players so I couldn’t be happier.
“Hopefully it reflects in my game and it brings out new passion.”
Dodd said he would love nothing more than to score against his old club.
“A couple of guys around the club have said I had a habit of scoring against Perth, so hopefully I can turn that around early this season and reverse it against Adelaide,” he said.
Perth remain hopeful Adam Hughes, who was also lured to the Glory from Adelaide at the end of last season, will recover in time from his recent illness to take to the park in some capacity on Sunday.
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