Outside90: The match on Sunday wasn’t exactly the result you wanted, how did everyone pull up after the match?
Andrew Durante: Everyone’s alright, everyone’s feeling in fairly good spirits. You know, the result wasn’t what we wanted but I thought we played some really good football. We started really well, missed an opportunity to go one up in the 10th minute, I think, with a penalty miss which was disappointing and then going down the other end and [Sydney] scoring was a sucker punch, that was disappointing. But generally, especially in the second half, I thought we played some really good football.
O90: What were the boys’ reactions after the match, particularly since you lost the opportunity to go second and progress straight through to the semis?
AD: Obviously there’s the initial disappointment, we wanted to get that second spot, it was important to go as far into the semis as possible but you can’t be down too long ‘cause there’s an important game, a semi-final, coming up against Melbourne City. We’ve got to regroup and we’ve got a couple of days off now to rest and recover and then back onto the training pitch.
O90: What areas do you think the team needs to improve on in order to have a successful finals campaign?
AD: Stop conceding so early. I think that’s been a feature of our game over the last four or five games. We’ve conceded goals in the first 10 to 15 minutes which is disappointing, it’s just a lack of concentration, allowing easy goals to go in. I mean, if we can tighten up that, keep ourselves in the game as long as possible and take our chances when they come up; missing penalties, I think that was our fifth penalty that we’ve missed this season and that’s just not good enough so we need to work on our finishing as well in crucial areas.
O90: In an article recently, you said “the last three weeks we’ve played teams that will finish in the top six and Ernie’s comments have always been that these are practice games to see how we fare against them in finals”. How do you think you have fared?
AD: I think we’re better off for meeting those teams in those last few games because at least we didn’t go into these finals not knowing what they’re about. Now we know what they’re about and so we can work on that, we can look at the footage from the last times that we’ve played them and work on things that didn’t really work for us too well and keep working on the good things that we did well. So it’s a good opportunity for us to learn and take those learnings into the semis.
O90: You’ll be hosting Melbourne City next Sunday, you’ve had two nil all draws with them and that 5-1 win towards the beginning of the season so far. How do you’re going to match up against them?
AD: They’re a very good team, probably similar to us, [they] haven’t really come into this finals series on the back of too many victories – which is disappointing for both teams but finals football, it doesn’t really matter how you’ve gone during the season, it’s a one off game and it’s exciting. But, look, they’re hard to break down and it’s shown in the last two games we’ve played them, finishing in nil all draws. So hopefully the boys at the back can keep a clean sheet and the boys at the top can try get some goals in.
O90: The game will be played at Westpac Stadium, do you think home ground advantage will play a part at all?
AD: Yeah, I’d like to think so. We love playing at Westpac Stadium, we got a great crowd against Sydney the other night, 13 and a half [thousand]. Hopefully more come out ‘because we really need that support. They [the fans] spur us on when a big crowd there gives us another, extra lift that we need. So, yeah, it’s going to be exciting and hopefully the crowds turn up.
O90: Have you felt like all of Wellington, and even all of New Zealand, has gotten behind you guys because you have played so well this season?
AD: Yeah, it’s been a great year. The amount of messages, well wishes from other sports codes, from other celebrities, from the general public, people coming up to you on the street, has been overwhelming. Everyone really wants us to be successful, it’s been a fantastic year so far. It would be extremely disappointing if we didn’t proceed past this first final. So that’s the focus now, [making] sure we get past this first final and, you know, reward the local crowd, the home crowd, for such a great season and they’ve been fantastic supporting us.
O90: If you were to win on Sunday, who would you prefer in the semi – Victory or Sydney?
AD: It really doesn’t matter, they’re both excellent teams. Both have different strengths and different qualities but both very, very good teams. It’d be too hard to split them but we’ll see. We have to get past Melbourne City first, so we’ll worry about that a bit later.
O90: This has been Wellington’s best ever season in the A-League, what has the vibe been like around the club, at training and in the dressing room? Has there been a good feeling around the club for the whole season?
AD: Yeah, it has been. We’ve got a fantastic group of players, a fantastic coach and back room staff. It’s been a real close knit group this year and the results have shown that we are a well-gelled team and we’re playing some really good football, some of the best football in the league. [We’ve] kind of fallen off a little bit over the last few of weeks but we’ll work hard on the training pitch this week and make sure we do the little things well and everyone will be up for a big finals game.
O90: The club finished ninth last season. You’re now playing finals football. What causes that kind of transformation in such a short time?
AD: I think it was a build-up of last year, we were still learning Ernie [Merrick’s] style and how he wanted us to play. He still wanted to bring players in that he felt could benefit the team which he wasn’t able to do as much last season and the signings he made of McGlinchey, Bonevacia, Nathan Burns, Rodriguez, these guys have really improved the quality of the training sessions, the quality of our style of play. I think that’s been a key point as well, just understanding Ernie’s style a lot better, after having two seasons under our belt now with him. [They’ve] probably been the main reasons [for the turnaround].
O90: What has Ernie brought to the club?
AD: He’s brought a winning mentality, a style of football that’s exciting, that the fans want to see. He’s transformed the club, like you said, in a short amount of time, by just being really positive, really attacking – his philosophy is to score as many goals as you can – and players are enjoying it. It’s a great philosophy to play under and we play with no fear, whether we’re home or away, so it’s been great.
O90: Ernie has had plenty of success in finals football. How important is his experience?
AD: Yeah, obviously, Ernie’s been there before. He’s won a couple championships, won a few minor premierships and he’s a winner. He knows what it takes to win in these situations. The boys are very confident, we believe in what Ernie preaches and this is where we really have to listen to him and take his instructions and take it onto the field and do it really well. If we can do that, then we should get the right result.
O90: You also have finals experience with the Newcastle Jets. Do you feel more pressure to keep the rest of the team focused and kind of use your experience as both captain and as someone who has played finals?
AD: I wouldn’t say extra pressure. I think as a captain, you’ve always got that responsibility to lead the team as best you can. It is finals time and I have been there before so whatever knowledge I can pass on, or take the pressure off the players as much as possible, then I’ll do that. But, we’ve got so many good senior players at this team that, in their own right, have done many good things in their careers so now it’s going to take a group effort to make sure we’re all going in the same direction.
O90: Speaking of Newcastle, you were recently named as the captain of the Jets team of the decade. What are your memories of your time in Newcastle?
AD: Very fond memories, it’s a very special place for me for several reasons. Obviously football-wise, it was a fantastic part of my career, winning a championship and winning the Joe Marston Medal in the final was obviously a highlight of my career. I’ve got close bonds to Newcastle, my wife’s from there and we’ll probably end up living back there one day. So, yeah, great times and to be named in that team of the decade is really special and I’m very honoured.
O90: Have you been keeping an eye on the off-field drama which was happening at Newcastle?
AD: Yeah, I followed what I could in the press about what was happening and, yeah, it’s really sad to see the club end up like that. A lot of fan angst against the ownership and the coaches and players getting moved on which was disappointing, but hopefully they know what they’re doing and the club gets back on track.
O90: You’ve played at Newcastle and now at the Phoenix, which has seen you play in all ten seasons of the A-League. How have you seen the competition change over that decade?
AD: It’s changed dramatically. Obviously, the first few seasons of the A-League, everyone was still finding their feet. There was no real, the tactics weren’t as common as they are now. I think coaches are a lot better now, the tactical side of the game has improved out of sight. The standard of players coming into the league are much better, the younger players that are coming in are much better, thanks to the youth system as well, so there’s so many positives from 2005 to 2015. It’s been an incredible change. I’ve been there and seen it and I’m glad to be a part of it and contributed to the league. It’s been great and hopefully it continues the way it is and the crowds continue to grow because it’s fantastic.
O90: In a similar vein, you’ve been at the Phoenix for seven of their eight years of existence. How have you seen the club change?
AD: I’ve gone through a lot of circumstances at my time here at the Phoenix, a change of ownership from Terry [Serepisos] to the WelNix Consortium [made up of seven Wellington businessmen] was a difficult change, obviously, on the players as well. It was a difficult time here. Then a change of coach, seeing Ricki [Herbert] go was also a difficult time, so I’ve been through some difficult times here but I’ve also had some fantastic times. Three years in a row in the playoffs, the 2009-10 season, going one game short of the grand final against Sydney was definitely a highlight and having those home semi-finals here were fantastic with a full house, so some great memories. I’m really enjoying my time here and id really love to win something, that’s why I’m here, and maybe this is the year. But, like I said, we’ve got an important game coming up on Sunday and we’ll take it one step at a time.
O90: In that time, you’ve gone on a few long runs of consecutive games and on Sunday against Sydney you played your 53rd consecutive game. How do you achieve a run like that and how is your body holding up?
AD: I don’t know, lucky I guess. Injury-wise I’ve been quite fortunate, I haven’t picked up too many serious injuries. If I’ve had a niggling injury I’ve seemed to manage it quite well and Ernie’s been really good, giving me ‘til the last minute of games sometimes to prove my fitness. Not getting suspended has helped. I try to minimise my yellow cards and I just pride myself on being out there to lead the team. I think that’s the best way to show leadership, is to be out there and give my best for the team.
O90: Looking ahead, your contracted until the end of next season, have you given any thought to extending that even further?
AD: Not at the moment, but I’d love to. I haven’t been in any contract talks yet, I’ll finish this season off and hopefully do really well. You know, I’d love to extend my time here. I love the club, it’s been a special part of my career but yeah, we’ll see, we’ll see when that time comes, I’ll have those conversations.
O90: Would you ultimately like to play out your career at the Phoenix?
AD: Well I’m 33 on the weekend so realistically, probably I’d say I’ll finish my career here. If the club want me to continue on I’d be more than happy to stay on. Like I said, I love the club, it’s a special part of my life and if they’re happy to keep me on then I’d love to stay.
O90: Have you given any thought to your future beyond football?
AD: A little bit. I’ve started doing some coaching badges, I’ve got my C license so potentially getting into coaching or hopefully there’s a job waiting for me at the football club after this – maybe football operations or something like that would be nice. But I’ll have those discussions with the club when I see the time is right.
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