Defender Taylor Duryea addressed media during the 2025 ASICS Pre-season on Wednesday morning. Here are the key talking points.
On his 16th pre-season...
“I had lunch with some of the younger guys yesterday and they're born in 2006 now so I'm feeling the age. But no, I’m feeling energised at the moment.
The challenge is always to stay motivated. Off-season's all about being a self-starter, trying to maintain the energy for your off-season program, making sure you’re diligent – all those types of things. That hasn’t really waned.
I think that’s a tell-tale sign of where you’re at towards the back-end of your career. If you still think you’ve got more in you, it’s how you can attack the off-season.
On the youth coming through...
“They do speak a different language most of the time – the social media scene has gone in a different direction from what I’m used to – but they energise the group.
Having the young people come through, it’s what keeps people like me going. It progresses the group, helps forge a new path and gives energy and competition for spots.
On the mood...
“It’s good. I think if you asked every single club, the mood's good at this stage. You're sort of just buoyed by the opportunity to put your best foot forward, and for us it's probably building on last year.
We felt that what we started to produce in the back-end of the year was something we can sort of hang our hat on – I know that doesn't mean there's going to be immediate (results). I think one thing that (our back-end of the season) gives us, is a bit of confidence in knowing what works.
It doesn't mean we're going to automatically improve and we’re going to be better just because we had a good end to the year – it’s going to give us some clear focus with our pre-season training. It’s not whether this game-plan or play is going to work – we feel like it is going to work, so let’s just get better at it and be more consistent.
On expectations...
“Things aren’t guaranteed for us just because we’ve got a strong list or play some good footy – it’s about getting as connected as we can be during this time because ultimately, the teams that go deep are the ones that do everything more consistently.
They’re more connected, their lapses are shorter in games, their consistency across the season is far greater than those who are pushing for the top eight or sitting at the bottom of the ladder.
For us, it’s about getting consistent in what we do.
On Sam Darcy...
“The thing I love about Sam is his attitude – he’s so hungry, he’s really driven, and he’s got that competitive edge. He’s a softly spoken guy, but that’s not to be mistaken for how hard he actually works, and how much he wants to improve and be a big part of this team.
Sam’s one of many guys who will continue to improve. You never know where the spikes are going to come from and I think that’s the exciting thing about approaching a new season."
On Marcus Bontempelli...
“I don’t know what he’s doing (with his hair) but it’s working for him. He’s moving well – I don’t think there’s been a bad version of the Bont since 2016, so whatever hair he runs I’m sure he’ll do well.
On Luke Beveridge...
“For us as players, all we can do is apply ourselves to training and try to get better connected as a group. It's all cliched stuff but that essentially quietens the noise out there for Bevo.
“I'm not sure what his contract status is, but doing those type of things (as players) help that situation. For us it’s not a distraction - our sole focus is getting better as a team and nothing changes there.
“Last year we had really good additions in our coaching staff – again, Ben Reid comes on board this season, and we've got a coaching group that is really supportive of Bevo and allowing him to showcase his strengths.”
