Hutch: we'll shoot Bambi

Eyes on the prize ... so close, yet so far for the Mariners. Source: Peter Clark / News Limited

Central Coast skipper John Hutchinson has declared he is ready to commit the A-League equivalent of "shooting Bambi" and end the fairytale run of Western Sydney Wanderers.

Despite overseeing a football club whose battles make even Rocky look privileged, Hutchinson knows it's the Wanderers who have really captured the hearts of Australian sports fans in their debut season. Currently on an unbeaten run stretching 13 for games, the Sydneysiders head into Sunday's Allianz Stadium grand final engulfed by the type of hype that last Friday saw midfielder Shinji Ono knock both Sonny Bill Williams and Black Caviar off the back page.

Our grand final countdown is on!

Here's what you'll see... 

Melanie McLaughlin and Andy Harper deliver a special LIVE Grand Final edition of Kick Off at 8.30pm (EST) on Fox Sports 1 HD.

Joining the hosts will be former Adelaide United coach John Kosmina, Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns and Herald Sun journalist David Davutovic.

1pm EST: Re-live one of Australian sport’s greatest grand finals – the 2011 championship between Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners. 

2pm EST: Simon Hill and Mark Rudan take a look back at both team’s journeys to the decider on the Road to the Grand Final.

3pm EST: A bumper one-hour LIVE Grand Final preview show live from Allianz Stadium when Rudan is joined by Adam Peacock, Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater.

The hosts will deliver all the breaking news and team movements plus cross to both coaches to hear their thoughts ahead of their greatest test.

4pm EST: Hill and Harper take over the reins to call all the action for Fox Sports' live and exclusive coverage of Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners.

BRING IT ON!

Asked if ending said streak would be akin to downing Disney's most beloved baby deer, Hutchinson said: "Yeah, I think it would. I mean, the Wanderers story really is a fairytale, isn't it? And not just for the A-League but for all Australian sports fans.

"Any professional sports team that makes the grand final in its first year needs to be congratulated. They have some wonderful players, a top coach and we'll need to give them the respect they deserve."Despite contesting a grand final only months after the club was battling to pay players, the Mariners readily concede the Wanderers' yarn still deserves top billing this week.

"They're a fantastic story," said fullback Josh Rose. "At the start of the year no one gave them a chance yet they've stepped up, won the Plate and are now going for the lot. Even their supporters are setting an example for the entire league, challenging fans at other clubs to step up and support their teams the same way.

"So breaking that fairytale, it's going to be a challenge but one we're happy to accept."

When it comes to which man is most likely to spoil the fairytale, the smart money sits with striker Daniel McBreen - crowned the 2013 Golden Boot as the league's leading scorer.

McBreen said he was more concerned about neutralising the growing myth around the new club.

"Yes, they've been a great story for the media and for football fans generally," he said. "But the key for us is to make it like any other game. We need to treat them like any team that's there to be beat."

About the only player who completely shouted down our Bambi theory was defender Patrick Zwaanswijk.

"Yes, the Wanderers have done outstanding in their first season but they've had a lot of help," the Dutchman said.

"They got millions pumped into them by the FFA, have six foreign players, they also get a lot of extra things to everyone else. Hardly the Bambi story.

"It is a fairytale, yes, and no one can take anything from what they've achieved in their debut season. They're a great team with a great coach, great fighting spirit. We will have to be on our game to beat them."

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