Jordan Courtney-Perkins insists Sydney FC's hatred of Western Sydney Wanderers remains as intense as ever, despite criticism of players coming together for golf ahead of the rivals' clash.
Only days before the Sydney derby headlines the A-Leagues' Unite Round, Courtney-Perkins and Sydney teammate Joe Lolley shared a round of golf with Western Sydney imports Juan Mata and Marcus Antonsson. Former Sky Blues captain Luke Brattan also attended.
Sydney FC great-turned-radio host Alex Brosque led criticism of the festivities captured on Instagram, questioning whether players were still attached to the A-Leagues' most iconic rivalry.
Defender Courtney-Perkins had not been aware of the commentary until the drive to Sydney Harbour's foreshore for the launch of the A-Leagues' second Unite Round on Thursday.
But he said there would be complete animosity between the two traditional rivals come Saturday night.
"You'd be crazy not to think that. This is one of the biggest games, if not the biggest game, in the league," Courtney-Perkins told AAP.
"I've got a life outside of football. Regardless of what I do, my mentality and preparation going into a game like this doesn't change.
"We step out onto the pitch and I hate the Wanderers as much as any Sydney FC fan or player."
He said former Nottingham Forest winger Lolley was the best golfer of those who took part, the Englishman teaching his Australian teammate a thing or two with club in hand.
"I'm struggling at the moment, I'm in a bit of a slump. We've been busy with football," Courtney-Perkins said.
"(But) to be able to go out and clear your head on the golf course and think of nothing else but golf, it's a healthy hobby to have."
Seventh-placed Sydney have begun the season with two wins and two losses but would sit higher on the ladder if not for a stoppage-time goal to Nando Pinjaker in the 1-0 loss to Auckland FC.
A first-half red card to Hayden Matthews worked against the Sky Blues in their last game before the international break - a 2-1 loss to Macarthur.
"We've played well, our performances have been good. I think there's been a couple of results that could've gone our way and we let slip, but that's football," Courtney-Perkins said.
"As long as we keep playing the way we know we can play and putting what we do on the training park onto the pitch, then results are going to start going our way."
