Max Burgess has missed out on the last two matches in the Australia Cup due to suspension and now is itching to get back into it this Sunday against Western United at Leichhardt Oval.
The attacking midfielder has been training hard over the pre-season and is fit and rearing to go against his former club in the Quarter Final.
“I’m really excited to get out there especially as it is a Quarter Final,” Burgess said.
“Everyone has been working hard and buying into the intentions and objectives that we have set out as a side and this a real opportunity for us to do well in this competition as a team.
“I’m also just looking forward to getting out in front of a home crowd again at Leichhardt.”
The number 22 is also buzzing about the slight change of play style that has been implemented, in part with the arrival of new Assistant Coach, David Zdrilic.
“It’s been great having Zdrila [David Zrillic] around. He’s been overseas for a number of years and brings with him knowledge which he has been sharing with the group which has been taken on well by the group.
“Everyone is excited about the new style and with the dynamic players we have, and the confidence of the group, pre-season training has been quite impressive,” Burgess said.
“We are only going to keep improving, and we have all been working hard and trying to get better as a collective. We need to be as cohesive as possible and this pre-season period is very important to us and with a trophy on the line on Sunday, we want to be successful as a group.”
And on Sunday, Burgess and his team-mates will be coming up against a few familiar faces in James Donachie and Tom Heward-Belle but is wary of the challenge that Western United pose.
“It will be good to come up against some old team-mates but Western as a whole have experience in their ranks but you can’t look at the past against them as every game is different and even during the game, things change.
“All we need to do is focus on ourselves, find our combinations and stick to our principles. We need to come in with the right metality too and bring that competitive edge to the match and focus on the cup,” he added.
After being absent from matches and being forced to sit on the sidelines, the 28 year old is raring to go.
“Personally for me, games are the fun part.
“We have been working hard as a group physically, tactically and technically and I am really looking forward to getting out there on Sunday, being part of this squad and competing,” Burgess concluded.
Match Details
Sydney FC v Western United
Australia Cup Quarter Final
Sunday 17th September 2023
Leichhardt Oval, Leichhardt, NSW
Kick Off: 3pm AEST
Gates Open: 2pm AEST
Broadcast Live: 10Play
Tickets: Click Here
