Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne is excited to see which of his team-mates will “sink or swim” as the squad begins a grueling four-week pre-season to get up to speed for their first Australia Cup clash on July 30th.
Redmayne says he had a ‘homely’ break compared to some of his team-mates and is looking forward to being thrown ‘in at the deep end’ with pre-season fitness training.
“I had a quick chat with the boss [Ufuk Talay] and we are going to be thrown straight in at the deep end,” said the record-breaking goalkeeper.
“I think that’s a good thing as I don’t really enjoy the long, slow slog. I would much prefer to just get in and let football be the teacher.
“We’ll see what the boys got up to in the off-season whether they sink or swim.”
Describing his own time off he said: “I really enjoyed my break.
“It was quite relaxed and quiet compared to some grand plans other boys had. We just visited friends and family up and down the coast and the in-laws in Melbourne.
“It was quite relaxed and homely.”
The majority of the Sky Blues 23-man squad enjoyed a six-week break but will be worked hard with their Australia Cup Round of 32 tie away to Oakleigh Cannons on the horizon.
Redmayne was the hero in last season’s first Australia Cup clash, saving and scoring a penalty in the 10-9 spot-kick win over the Central Coast Mariners in Wollongong.
It’s a scenario he says he’d rather avoid.
“I could do without the stress of that but in hindsight it was good fun,” he continued.
“Would I do it again, no, but I would prefer the same result, just in 90 minutes.
“Having a competitive fixture in early pre-season is exciting. It adds a firm carrot so I’m really looking forward to knuckling down towards that.”
He’s also excited about the prospect of battling new-signing Harrison Devenish-Meares and Gus Hoefsloot for the number one jersey, as well as working alongside returning loan youth keeper Max Vartuli.
“The goalkeeping union goes from strength to strength every season,” he said.
“It’s going to be great to have Harrison full time and fully focused for Sydney FC because it’s a big year and he fits in extremely well with the mindset we have at Sydney FC.
“I haven’t seen Max for a couple of years now [he was on loan at Aalborg BK] but it’s going to be great to work with him again.
“And Gus coming back from injury, I think there’s a hell of a lot of potential with the whole group and it’s going to be a pleasure to knuckle down with all of them.
“I feel recharged and energized and excited by the prospect of what this season holds.
“There’s a lot of football ahead, I think we performed and learned what the boss wants [last season].
“It’s really exciting undertaking a full pre-season under that and the only way is up.”
Redmayne is entering his ninth season with the Sky Blues and currently sits on 226 appearances for Sydney FC – the third highest in club history.
He also holds the record for the most number of clean sheets with 64.
