Young goalkeepers Tristan Prendergast and Levi Kaye will have the chance to impress this week, as the Sky Blues head to Cairns for a pre-season camp and game against a Far North Queensland Select XI.
With Andrew Redmayne away on Socceroos duty and Tom Heward-Belle representing the Olyroos, Prendergast and Kaye will stake their claim to be between the posts on Saturday night, as the only recognized keepers travelling north with the Hyundai A-League squad.
For Prendergast the tour represents a home coming, with the Blacktown City stopper hailing from Cairns, as he said he’s relishing the opportunity that’s been handed to him.
“I don’t think my auntie has seen me play since I was 11 so it’ll be good to go back,” Prendergast said.
“I’ve been doing everything I can to make the most of training with Nashy [Head Goalkeeping Coach Matt Nash].
“Training has been really good. The intensity is a bit more, coming from the NPL, it took a bit to get used to, but I’ve enjoyed working with the keepers here.
“I’ve always wanted to have another crack after being in the Sydney FC youth team a few years ago and that’s driving me to reach that goal and play a game for the first team.
“It’s funny to be back here after so many years. Hopefully I can get an opportunity and make a claim to play a game for Sydney FC.”
Sky Blues’ Head Goalkeeping Coach Matt Nash said the pair were deserving of their chance to impress.
“Tristan has been one of the standout keepers in the NPL for the last couple of years, so he’s going to travel away with us. It’s a good opportunity for Tristan to fit into the group and show what he can do.
“He’s been doing well [in training] and he’s at the level, so he’ll get a chance when we play a game away [in Cairns] to show what he can do with the first team. I expect he’ll hold his own and won’t be out of place at all.
“Levi has been doing well in the NPL and he’s stepped up with Pavlesic injured,” Nash continued.
“He did well with the team while they were away in Japan so it’ll be a good experience for Levi to join the older boys.
“He’s been training well and deserves a shot.”
Rhyan Grant and Ryan Teague will also be absent due to national team duties, with the remainder of the Hyundai A-League squad taking part in the camp.
While in Cairns the Sky Blues players will also take part in a number of community events to help promote the Hyundai A-League and football in Far North Queensland.
Sydney FC would like to thanks the Cairns Regional Council and local community for their support of the club’s camp.
Sydney FC Cairns Camp Squad:
1. TRISTAN PRENDERGAST
2. PATRICK FLOTTMANN
3. BENJAMIN WARLAND
4. ALEX WILKINSON
5. ALEX BAUMJOHANN
6. RYAN McGOWAN
7. MICHAEL ZULLO
8. PAULO RETRE
9. ADAM LE FONDRE
10. MILOS NINKOVIC
11. KOSTA BARBAROUSES
12. TRENT BUHAGIAR
13. BRANDON O’NEILL
16. JOEL KING
17. ANTHONY CACERES
18. LUKE IVANOVIC
19. CHRIS ZUVELA
20. LEVI KAYE
24. MARCO TILIO
25. CALEM NIEUWENHOF
26. LUKE BRATTAN
27. JORDAN SWIBEL
28. HARRY VAN DER SAAG
