United vows to get to work on its home turf against Kiwis
WESTERN United has vowed to continue its blue-collar ways as Ballarat prepares to host its first A-League game, on Saturday.
Adding spice to the mix, United coach Mark Rudan hosts his former club, Wellington Phoenix, for the first time since his controversial exit at the end of last season.
He had lifted the Kiwis into a rare finals appearance.
The Phoenix clash is the first of four games scheduled for Mars Stadium, with Brisbane Roar, Western Sydney and Melbourne City to follow.
While Victory won the hearts of Ballarat fans by signing local Brandon Lauton, Rudan believes the town will be proud of its new club, which sits third on the table.
He could look at look including Dylan Pierias, Scott McDonald and Valentino Yuel in the side as he seeks to stamp an early authority on its new home turf.
“We’ve been very clear on our identity,” Rudan said. “We said from the get-go that we represent an area of hardworking people in the west, and that extends to Ballarat.
“We know people haven’t had it easy and they appreciate a team that rolls its sleeves up and that’s the team that they’ll see out on the pitch.
“Playing football is important to us, but we’ll continue to fight for everything and in many ways our team epitomises the west. “A bunch of big personalities who love to fight, but remain united and proud.”
United must quickly adjust to its new home, after playing its first six home games at Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium.
Ballarat fans caught a glimpse of United in pre-season, albeit a heavy-legged team in the midst of a punishing pre-season.
It’s a more dangerous United outfit that arrives in Ballarat, although the conditions will take some sting out of what otherwise looms as a tasty battle, with Rudan’s close mate, Ufuk Talay, presiding over an impressive Phoenix outfit.