Dimi Petratos on what it means to play for his hometown club this season.
Petratos, who signed for the Wanderers on loan in August, has been settling back into life in Australia after a recent stint overseas in Saudi Arabia.
Having played his junior football at grassroots club Blacktown Demons, Petratos has come full circle now playing for the Wanderers for the first time in his career.
“I’ve always wanted to play for the Wanderers before, but there’s always been something that’s popped up,” said Petratos.
“Now I’m finally here and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the fans, representing the West, and just go for it. Go for the win.”
The one-year loan deal is an opportunity Petratos believes to give back to the region that kicked off his love for football.
“I’ve got one year to give it my everything. Every game I have to go in and give it my all,” said Petratos.
“That’s what I can promise.
“That I can get on the field every week and give my best and do everything I can to win games and combine in the front third and work hard in defence as well.”
It has been just over a month since Petratos landed in Western Sydney with the midfielder confident that his new club and new teammates have what it takes to go all the way this season.
“I’ve said it before, I want to come in and win the league,” said Petratos.
“I believe we have the team, the coach and the coaching staff to do that.
“It’s all about us being positive and just go out there and give our best, to be on the top of the table at the end of the year.”
Petratos has been putting in the work at training and has been embracing the intensity of each session ahead of what is set to be a big season for the club.
“The first two weeks of my training sessions were pretty intense, it had been a while since I was out on the field,” explained Petratos.
“Coming from overseas and just getting back into the country was difficult, plus the two-weeks of quaratine at the time.
“The coaches were on board with where I am and where I can get to.
“Andy (Strength and Conditioning coach Andy Davies) has been working me really hard and you’ll see that in the season with all the hard-work I have put in now”
Petratos and the Wanderers will kick-off their campaign with arguably the biggest match on the calendar, the Sydney Derby, on 20 November 2021 at Wanderland.
With more than just three points on the line, Petratos is ready to embrace the intense and loud atmosphere from the Wanderers members and fans.
“The first game is always the toughest, but it is just another game,” said Petratos.
“Sydney have always been a good team and we’re a good team too.
“Our goal is to go out and win that game.
“I can’t wait to go out there and build a connection with the Wanderers fans because they’re crazy and I can’t wait.”
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