FORMER Wellington utility turned Central Coast danger man Troy Hearfield has likened the culture at the Phoenix to that instilled at the Mariners by experienced mentor Graham Arnold.
FORMER Wellington utility turned Central Coast danger man Troy Hearfield has likened the culture at the Phoenix to that instilled at the Mariners by experienced mentor Graham Arnold.
Hearfield spent three successful seasons under Ricki Herbert at Wellington and today said the men from the Kiwi capital have developed their own tight-knit, all for one and one for all mentality.
Having been a mainstay in the Phoenix side throughout his spell in the land of the long white cloud, Hearfield is well placed to comment on the ethos that exists at the ‘Nix.
“It starts from the top,” Hearfield said. “Ricki Herbert-s got a great bunch of boys there and the captain Andrew Durante has been there for years.”
“The culture at the club is massive. They play for each other and that-s the biggest aspect.”
Knowing only too well the fighting philosophy the Phoenix posses, Hearfield said the Mariners wouldn-t be taking their respected rivals lightly when the two teams meet at Westpac Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Nevertheless, the former Pelita Jaya man said Central Coast would fly south over the Tasman Sea brimming with confidence following their 7-2 smashing of Sydney FC on Saturday evening.
“We have been exceptional,” he said. “The boys are buzzing, and why not? We-ve just beaten Sydney FC 7-2.”
“They-re (Wellington Phoenix) a good side and we need to watch them on the break, but I think we just need to worry about ourselves and we-ll get the job done.”
“We-ve got a good record over there and that-s what Arnie (Mariners Head Coach Graham Arnold) prides ourselves on. I was there for three years and they-re a forced to be reckoned with over there.”
“(But) our main focus every time we go over there is to come back with three points.”
“It-s going to be a good challenge for us.”
Hearfield added a few friendly texts had been sent back and forth across the Tasman over the past few days as he prepares to take on a number of old teammates.
And, the versatile former Australian Institute of Sports scholar admits outclassing his old colleagues at the ‘Cake Tin’ once again is an exciting prospect.
“I like getting one up on them, you always do on your old Club,” he concluded.
Upcoming Match Information
Wellington Phoenix vs. Central Coast Mariners
Sunday 11 November, 2012
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 2:30pm (local); 4:30pm (AEDT)
Twitter: Join the match conversation on Twitter. The official match hash-tag is #NIXvCCM
Coverage: Live and exclusive broadcast on Fox Sports 1HD and Sky Sports 2. Updates on ABC Local Radio & Grandstand Digital. Live call on Coast FM (96.3FM or streamed: www.coastfm.org.au)
Referee: Lucien Laverdure
