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The game had just underlined the club’s credentials as serious title-contenders and the German wanted to share the moment with the “best fans” in the league.

“Who do we sing for?” he shouted into the bay at Campbelltown Stadium. The 26-year-old certainly knows who he plays for.

“I’ve always had a good relationship (with fans) but still there is something special here,” he said. “They are so enthusiastic – it’s amazing how they support us and we want to give something back.

“It’s very good that the stands are so close to the pitch and after the games we hug each other – it’s pretty close.”

It is not what he expected from a startup club.

“This surprises me,” he admits. “You cannot expect that after six or seven months to have these kinds of fans. I think they are the best fans in the A-League already.”

Polenz gets to test that theory on Saturday when the red and black head south to AAMI Park and face-off against Melbourne Victory in what is surely the match of the round.

The visitors can expect a vocal interrogation from the home faithful who will be keen to see Ange Postecoglou’s men reclaim second spot on the ladder.

Both teams are one apiece after 20 rounds. And with bragging rights on the line they are locked in a titanic battle to keep pace with league leaders Central Coast Mariners.

Polenz, a key figure in the league’s stingiest defence after the Mariners has also chipped in with some important assists and says they’ve done their homework on Victory.

“When you see the ladder it’s a big game – we’re looking forward to it,” he said. “We have a match plan and we are well prepared.”

Just last November he was calling for the team to be more ruthless in front of goal and the improvement has been steady and relentless.

It was only a matter of time, he says, before the consistency and professionalism of the team paid dividends.

Gunning for their sixth straight win they show no signs of flagging in the run-in to their maiden finals fight.

It’s a case of so far so very good for the former junior international who agreed to move down under after watching a documentary about fellow German and Johnny Warren medallist Thomas Broich.

Wanderers have put Broich’s Brisbane Roar to the sword three times this season, including a man of the match performance from Polenz in their most recent outing against the flailing champs.

The two players have taken to catching up afterwards but there’s no doubt who is the happier post-match.

After struggling to get regular first team action in his home country, Polenz is fit, sharp and enjoying the club’s dream-run, recently extending his contract with the Wanderers until the end of the 2013/14 season.

“I never had a consistent season and I think here I’m very settled and I can give my best on the pitch,” he said.

“I get a lot of calls from (Germany) - players who I’ve played with and they are always asking how it is to live here.

“They think often about doing something new in their life.”

The defender is thriving on “new” – new country, new club and new horizons – and he’s not about to second-guess how far it might take them.

“I think if we keep playing the way that we are now anything is possible but we have to keep up the good work.”

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