Glory star Jamie Harnwell believes a week in Sydney preparing for a vital clash against Sydney FC this Sunday has given Perth a significant advantage over their normal travel routine.
Glory star Jamie Harnwell believes a week in Sydney preparing for a vital clash against Sydney FC this Sunday has given Perth a significant advantage over their normal travel routine.
An extended squad flew out for Wellington last Thursday and will return to Perth eleven days and two tough matches later, but after claiming their first points on the road following a 1-1 draw against the Phoenix, the Glory are gunning for all three this weekend.
“Not having to spend an extra two days travelling will definitely help,” Harnwell said of the decision to base the team in the NSW capital for the week.
“The trip to Wellington is tough, it-s a long way and the four hour time difference is difficult to come to terms with in a short space of time. Going back to Sydney is a two our time difference and with several days here it becomes part of you routine.
“You can see the boys are feeling much fresher as the week has gone on and by the weekend they-ll all be desperate to get out there and get a result,” Harnwell said.
The players had a light session on the track and in the pool on Monday at their training base at Sydney University before stepping up the intensity on Tuesday.
Wednesday was a well deserved rest day before heading back to the training pitch over the next three days in preparation for Sunday-s big match. Harnwell said the travelling squad had enjoyed being together and that the team spirit was high.
“We have been training hard but there has also been plenty of good times following the sessions with more than a few practical jokes being played on everyone,” he said.
“It-s a bit bitter sweet being away, it-s fantastic because the boys really bond together but it-s difficult not having your family around, particularly leading up to Christmas, but we know we have a job to do any that is our focus,” Harnwell added.
Perth has also used the trip to gain plenty of positive media exposure in the massive Sydney market. Harnwell has appeared on Channel Seven-s ‘The Morning Program- with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies while Mark Lee and Scott Bulloch took on an ‘Urban Challenge- with Fox Sports which will be played during Sunday-s pre-game show. Other players have conducted interviews with Fox Sports News, SBS TV, and a host of other television, radio and newspapers on the East Coast as well as back in Perth.
“We-ve certainly had plenty on our plates but it has been good,” Harnwell said.
“It makes the time pass really quickly and it-ll be game day before we know it. This is a huge game in the context of our season and we couldn-t have had a better preparation for it.”
