He has been a thorn in the side of Sydney FC this season and Mitchell Duke would like nothing better than to add to their misery in the Sydney Derby at Bankwest Stadium on Saturday night.
The inspirational Wanderers captain has proved the difference in the two Derbies so far this season, scoring the only goal in both tightly fought contests.
Duke will be out to create history by becoming the first Wanderers player to score in three successive Derbies, joining Sydney’s Alex Brosque who scored in all three games last season.
Duke is already in elite company as one of only three players from either side to score in successive Derbies. Only Dario Vidosic for the Wanderers (rounds 15 and 20 in season 2015-16), Adrian Mierzejewski (rounds 10 and 21 in season 2017-18) and Brosque (rounds two, eight and 25 last season) have achieved that honour.
“I am definitely up for it,” said Duke of the possibility of finding the back of the net again against Sydney FC.
But, that is nothing new because as a striker you want to score in every game, no matter the opposition.
“I didn’t score in the last game (against Melbourne City) which is unfortunate and that has made me even hungrier now to go into the Sydney FC game ready to score or score a double and put them to the sword again.
“It would be great to be able to help set us up for a good finish to the season and get back into the Finals.”
With four of the last six games of the season at Bankwest Stadium, Duke acknowledged the Wanderers are in a good position to break into the Top Six.
“We have a very smooth run home in that regard but you have to feel for some of the other teams not having such an easy run because of what is happening,” said Duke.
“But, that’s looking too far in the future because things can change and we are just preparing for this weekend and see where we can go from there.”
Duke said it will be “weird” to play a Sydney Derby and other games in a stadium without fans.
The classy striker said preparations have been going ahead as usual but needed a different approach because of the coronavirus.
“The whole vibe over the last few weeks surrounding sport in general in Australia and obviously around the world has been weird,” added Duke.
“Preparations seem a bit of a different, a different approach. But, as professionals, we are still coming in every day and doing our job at the moment and just focusing on our next game and that’s all you can do.
“It will be a bit weird playing behind closed doors without the amazing atmosphere we are used to, but that’s where we have to take control and psyche ourselves up for a big game because every game is a Derby and every game is so important for us.
“We are chasing the three points to get back into the six.”
