For lifelong Wanderers fan and player Dean Pelekanos, the Sydney Derby means more than just another match – it’s personal.
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Having grown up attending games and holding a membership with the midfielder is ready to bring his passion for the club to life on the pitch when the Wanderers kick off their season against Sydney FC this Saturday at CommBank Stadium.
“(I feel) a lot of pride wearing this jersey,” said Pelekanos.
“It can obviously be heavy, but if you know what it takes and understand the history, it’s not as tough as people make it out to be. It feels second nature for me because I grew up being a supporter.”
For Pelekanos, the Sydney Derby is all-consuming.
“It means pretty much everything… it’s all we can think about. It’s all I can think about,” he admitted.
“Most importantly, we want to perform and win. There’s nothing better than winning — and winning the Derby will be amazing, fantastic!”
Pelekanos’ connection to the club runs deep. As the former captain of the Wanderers youth side, he knows what it means to represent Western Sydney.
His journey has been shaped by experiences in the NPL NSW, where he grew as a player and developed the mental toughness needed to return to the A-League.
“It’s about coming in every day, whether it’s training or matchday, and giving everything to win,” said Pelekanos.
“That’s the mentality now. When you’re younger, you can be wary of getting into battles with older men, but after the last couple of years away, that’s not a worry anymore.”
Now back under the guidance of head coach Alen Stajcic, who coached him in high school, Pelekanos is excited about what’s to come.
“Staj has really instilled a winning mentality. The energy is high, and we’re all ready,” said Pelekanos.
“We’ll be relentless with our press and move the ball quickly. I think fans will love how we capitalise on the opposition’s mistakes.”
With kickoff just days away, Pelekanos is eager to channel his passion into action.
“There’s nothing like the Sydney Derby,” said Pelekanos.
“I know what it means to the fans because I’ve been one myself. Wearing the badge and winning in front of them? That’s everything.”
As the Wanderers gear up for the blockbuster clash at CommBank Stadium, Pelekanos is determined to help his side start the season with a bang — and there’s no better way to do that than with a Derby win.
