By Andrew Parkinson
Sydney FC youngtser Jacob Tratt is living his dream, but it hasn't been an easy ride for the 21-year-old.
Tratt, a former Sutherland Sharks player, is hopeful of being in Sydney FC's squad for their first game of the A-League season against Melbourne City at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.
High hopes: Jacob Tratt is hoping to make his mark in the A-League with Sydney FC.Credit: Chris Lane
After a stellar season in the National Premier Leagues NSW Men's 1 competition with Sutherland, Tratt signed a one-year contract with the Sky Blues.
Tratt, who spent three seasons with the Sharks after arriving in the shire from his home town of Dubbo, said his development at Sutherland was key to him becoming a professional footballer.
"Honestly Sutherland Sharks have played a massive part in the step from where I was to where I am now," he said. "I don't think it's a coincidence. You look at the younger age groups and the way the boys train and the coaching and development they get [at Sutherland] is second to none.
"I reckon when I first arrived here I was one of the worst players in the [under]-20s. But I just got stuck in each week. Because I knew I had the drive and wanted to excel.
"So each day I'd come to training half-an-hour early and just practice and practice. Thankfully after three years I got some reward for it. I guess that's the most important part of improving. You've just got to keep chipping away at it and learn your trade."
The talented defender, who captained Sydney FC's under-20s to the National Youth League title in 2014, has had to adjust to the jump to professional football but said there was nowhere else he'd rather be.
"The workload is a lot more than what I'm used to but I'm sure as the weeks and months go by my body should start to get used to it," Tratt said.
"Physically it's very demanding but I'm enjoying every minute of it. It's awesome. You couldn't ask for a better job. All the boys there and all the people there, there's a great morale."
Tratt scored nine goals as a defender last season for Sutherland and said it would be a dream to get his name on the score sheet for his adopted home town club in the A-League and celebrate in front of Sydney FC's passionate supporter group.
"I'd love to [get a goal], to be honest," he said. "I'd love to be able to score a goal for Sydney and then celebrate to The Cove. That's the dream."
There is a strong Sutherland Shire influence in the Sydney FC first team squad, with Tratt joining established young stars Alex Gersbach and Christopher Naumoff.
The Sky Blues will look to go one better than their disappointing grand final defeat to Melbourne Victory last season but will have to do it without the A-League golden boot and marquee player Marc Janko who has joined FC Basel — replaced by Slovak international Filip Holosko.
Terry Antonis has also left for PAOK in Greece, but coach Graham Arnold has added Serb Milos Ninkovic and a host of talented young players to the squad including Andrew Hoole (Newcastle Jets), Zac Anderson (Central Coast) and Perth Glory pair Brandon O'Neill and Riley Woodcock.