Mitchell Duke on the importance of representing his hometown club in the biggest match of the A-League calendar, the Sydney Derby.
Get your tickets to Saturday night’s Sydney Derby here.
There’s no game like the Sydney Derby and for Mitchell Duke, the match is even more significant with the striker representing his hometown club in the fixture that divides the city.
A product of Western Sydney, Duke was born in Liverpool, went to All Saints, and started his youth football career at Parramatta Eagles before coming full circle to the Wanderers later in his professional career.
“As a footballer, that’s one of the main things you look forward to, trying to make it as a professional and trying to play for the club where you grew up,” explained Duke.
“It’s a massive achievement and honour for me to play for the club that represents me and for me to able to represent where I’ve grown up is massive.”
Duke is undefeated in Sydney Derbies and will be looking to keep his run going this Saturday when the Wanderers face the Sky Blues for the second time this season, the first in home territory at Bankwest Stadium.
“The game is massive also considering how we are going,” said Duke.
“This season, it’s getting to the business end and I think it will be a massive statement to be able to turn that (season) around.
“As well as turn our fortunes around to prove to everyone that we can do it. We’re still in this fight.”
The match will be of momentous occasion aside from the Derby spectacle with the Wanderers Finals Series hopes on the line.
Duke believes the Wanderers will give everything they’ve got to secure three points to catapult the side back into the Top Six.
“It splits the City and you want your side to win. You’ll do everything you can to make that happen,” said Duke.
“You need to perform in big games and we need to prove to everyone that we can handle the pressure from the fans and the club.
“We need to go out there and do the job. Add a bit of fight out there and give a bit of blood, sweat and tears to get the result.”
