Sutherland Sharks club captain Nathan Denham knows better than most the importance of the local derby against Rockdale City.
Sutherland host the Suns for the first leg of The Leader Cup at Seymour Shaw Park, Miranda on Saturday night.
After a brief stint on the bench Denham returned to the starting side for Sutherland’s 3-1 loss to Wollongong on Sunday.
The 31-year-old, who has been at the club for eight years and was part of the premiership winning team of 2009, is widely regarded as one of the safest and most experience goalkeepers in the NPL competition.
Speaking to The Leader, Denham said both teams were aware of the importance of the match.
“Games against Rockdale are always tough, especially going there to play,” he said.
“In saying that though when they come here they’re just over the road so they bring all their fans. They’ve got a good support base, a loud support base.
“Which makes it difficult when you’re playing against that.
“They’re always a good side, in the last few years [Rockdale player-coach Paul Reid] Reidy has really got them working as a solid unit and they always play good, attractive football.”
Sutherland hold The Leader Cup after thrashing Rockdale 6-2 last season before they were beaten 3-0 at Ilinden.
Sutherland’s Japanese right back Takuya Murayama will play his first game against his former club after joining the Sharks in the summer.
Denham, who also spent some time at A-League club Central Coast, said it would be up to Sutherland to combat the experience of Reid and striker Dylan Macallister.
“I don’t think you can play past experience,” he said.
“I think sometimes the more experienced players just know the game better.
“Players like Reidy… they know what their bodies can or can’t do.
“[And] players like Macallister don’t need many chances to score a goal.
“You give him half a sniff and he can turn that into a goal any day.”
Sutherland head into the weekend in last place while Rockdale are third after their 3-2 win over Blacktown City.
Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
