When Teresa Polias is asked what another W-League championship would mean to her, she can’t stop a beaming smile from breaking across her face.
Sydney FC travel west to face Perth Glory in the first week of the W-League semi-finals on Saturday but it could have been so much better for the Sky Blues. Sydney were top of the table and odds on to secure the Premier’s Plate before defeats to Newcastle and Adelaide United in the final two rounds saw them slip to third.
Polias, Sydney FC’s captain, will demand her side bounce back quickly.
The 26-year-old is sky blue through and through. She is the football-mad local girl from Brighton-Le-Sands who grew up playing for Carss Park and Ramsgate and supporting her home town club Sydney FC when they entered the A-League.
Polias never missed a home game with her brothers in the club’s early years. She has been there from the start, watching her club play in big games and win titles. Polias then earned the chance to play for her girlhood team, playing every minute for the 2012-13 W-League championship-winning Sky Blues.
Now she has the chance to live her dream – to lead Sydney FC to a title.
“It would mean the world to me, to win [another title],” Polias said.
“I won one in 2012-13 but to be captain as well… it’s why I play. I love the game and I love Sydney. I want us to go all the way. I don’t know how many seasons I’ll have left in me so to win another championship under my belt before I go would be amazing.”
Polias became the third player to feature in 100 W-League games a fortnight ago, a feat she wasn’t aware was in her reach until recently.
After making 15 appearances for the Central Coast Mariners, Polias has now played 86 games with Sydney FC, a testament not only to her ability but her longevity and toughness.
“I didn’t think much of it but then the girls made a big deal of it,” she said.
“My family all came to the game. It was unfortunate we lost. It wasn’t the result we wanted but credit to Newcastle.
“It’s a special feeling. You kind of think ‘wow, that’s a lot of games’.
“I’m looking forward to 100 for Sydney, that would be nice.”
“Looking back I would never have thought when the W-League started, I was just happy to be a part of it. I kind of always wanted to play for Sydney because it was the team I supported and I was a local girl. But back then I wouldn’t have thought I’d reach 100 games. It’s a crazy thought but I’m so privileged to play one game let alone 100.”
Polias, a former Matildas midfielder, believes this season has been one of the strongest W-League competitions since its inception.
That feeling is underlined by the results of the last fortnight. Sydney FC, who looked to be cruising to the minor premiership, were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle and 5-2 by Adelaide, teams who both missed the finals.
Regardless of the last two weeks it has been an enjoyable season on and off the park for Polias but will only be perfect if Sydney FC are to lift another piece of silverware.
“For as long as I’ve been a part of Sydney the aim has always been the highest. Every year we’ve had the quality to go all the way and this season is no different. Honestly everyone deserves to be out there. We’ve got a lot of depth this year,” she said.
“You’ve seen the results lately, anyone can beat anyone in this crazy game of football. I think if we rock up the way we have been [with] everyone on fire, pressing hard we should win every game.”
