KZ: Hi Andrew! When did you start playing?

A: When I was six years old, for my local team to make some friends. I never saw it as a profession until I signed my first professional contract at 18. Until then I just enjoyed having a kick with my friends and working hard.

KZ: Who is the funniest person in Sydney FC, and in the Socceroos?

A: Funniest person at Sydney FC would be James Donache, and Socceroos would be Martin Boyle.

KZ: Do you have any unusual skills or talents that might surprise K-Zoners?

A: I like to juggle. I can juggle three balls. I love to cook!

KZ: Do you have any pre-show rituals, superstitions or good luck charms?

A: No, I don’t do anything in particular. I do juggle before warming up, to warm up my hand-eye coordination. When I start to get nervous about the game, I have a set warm up, so I just focus on that. I know I have trained well all week and the work is done, so now it’s just about execution.

KZ: If you could pick any celeb or fictional character to join the team, who would you pick?

A: Spider-Man would make an amazing goal keeper! Although, I’d lose my job… So maybe The Flash? It would be great to have that speed on the team!

KZ: What super power would you like to have, and what would your hero name be?

A: I’d love to be able to teleport. Imagine being able to transport yourself anywhere in the world instantly! No more sitting in traffic, and it might also improve my goalkeeping! My nickname is Redders, I love it. I think I would stick with that, and make it my own.

KZ: If you could add a fun rule to the game, what would it be?

A: Goal keeper can use his hands all over the field! I think that would be fun for me especially!

KZ: Do you remember having any sporting idols as a kid?

A: I was lucky when I was a kid, we had many great goal keepers playing in the English Premier League and big leagues around the world. I looked up to them a lot, and a German goal keeper named Oliver Kahn was crazy! I remember watching him and thinking ‘Wow’ – I watched all sorts of videos about him, because all goalkeepers are a little bit crazy! 

KZ: What is your personal career highlight so far?

A: There have been so many. Obviously, the Peru game was crazy and something I won’t forget. My national team debut was so special for me. Calling my mum and telling her I was going to be a Socceroo was such a happy, emotional call and one I’ll never forget. It meant the world to me and my family, because we had all put in so much work and sacrifice to get to that point and the road was never easy. Sharing that news and the game with my family was be the highlight for me!

TEAM MEMBER MOST LIKELY TO…

Eat food for a dare: Max Burges (Sydney FC) – on a recent trip to Vietnam he tried all the local street food. I think he would try it even if it weren’t a dare.

Have secret super powers: Patrick Wood (Sydney FC) is a great surfer, I’m sure he would have other tricks up his sleeve.

Be the MVP on a trivia team: Ryan Grant (Sydney FC) loves a trivia night, so he is well versed.

Win in Mario Kart: Luke Brattan (Sydney FC) plays all the games, loves his PlayStation, so I’m sure he would have this down!

Create an incredible piece of art: Conner O’Toole (Sydney FC) is great on the tools and makes furniture, so he already is making art.

Have a terrible memory: Harry Vandeersaag (Sydney FC) always used to forget who he was supposed to be picking up on corners in a game! Very short memory and attention span, like a goldfish!

Want to read more of our interview with Andrew, and get even more info on FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? Grab the December 2022 'Let The Games Begin' issue, out now!