Tara Murray
It’s back to business for Western United as pre-season got underway last week.
After a few weeks of celebrating the club’s first championship, the playing group returned to training last week.
Star defender Josh Risdon said they were all excited to get back on the track.
“It was a good little break,” he said. “Obviously it’s a bit different winning the grand final and celebrating for a while.
“I really enjoyed the break and got back home to see some family and spend some quality time with them.
“I’m ready to get back into it.”
Risdon said despite the success of last season, the group’s motivation was high and they were keen to do it again.
He said there was still a real buzz around the group.
“Everyone has come back in good knick and everyone has looked after themselves after the celebrations,” he said.
“Everyone is committed to doing well again this season and has come back in good knick and ready for our [Australia] cup game in less than a month.
“It is going to be a quick turnaround to then, so we wanted to make sure that we came back in good shape, so we are right to go for round one of the cup.
“We want to do that all again… that feeling I had for so long that whole off season was incredible and it made me want to come back and do it all again.”
United’s first week back included the two-kilometre time trial. Adisu Bayew won the time trial ahead of Seb Pasquali and Ben Garuccio.
With the majority of the championship squad returning for another tilt, Ridson said they just need to get back to what they did last season and go from there.
“We’re trying not to focus on that end goal at first,” he said.
“We have to get back to training and doing what we do best every day, which is working hard. I think respecting our values and every day living… and just enjoy being together again.
“I think that is what made us so successful last year, being a close tight knit group and enjoying each other’s company and working hard every day.
“Having the majority of the squad together again, it is awesome to familiarise with each other again. We can pick up where we left off, with the culture we created, anyone who comes in will buy into the values of the club and fit in quite perfectly here.”
The club’s first Australia Cup match will be against Melbourne Victory on August 3.
