To see Sydney's latest training session with Anthony LaPaglia...

“Mark has been invaluable. From day one he's been a total team player, a great leader and a great influence on the young guys.

"When you look back over the last three years, there have been some great moments when he's really pulled us through.”

LaPaglia added that it was a difficult decision but one says his transfer to J2 side Avispa Fukuoka was in the best interests of the 32-year-old.

“Personally, it's a huge loss," he said. "But it's something that I totally understand Mark has to do.

“When you have a wife and kids and get an offer that's quite incredible, then you have to take care of your family first.

"There's no question of his loyalty to Sydney in my mind."

LaPaglia also kept open the idea of Rudan returning to the club in a coaching capacity when he finishes his stint in Fukuoka.

“Why not?" he said. "I mean. we can always go overseas for coaches with questionable talent...

“But why not use homegrown people. Mark Rudan has the potential to develop into an A-League coach, or at least part of the admin or the fabric of Sydney FC.”

* LaPaglia enjoyed a spell in goal at yesterday's Sydney training session and made two saves between the sticks.

"I love training with the boys," he said. "These days, whevever I get the urge to exercise, I usually have a lie down until the mood passes...

"But it's a huge rush to be able to train with these guys. It's a big step up from the veterans' side I normally play with. I love it."

* Sydney have a new name for a close-range shot that skies over the bar... Michael Bridges rattled off a horror miss during training - and was then subjected to jeers of "Jardel!" from his team-mates.

Newcastle Jets marquee star Mario Jardel sparked the new term after his six-yard shocker last weekend against Sydney.

To see Sydney's latest training session with Anthony LaPaglia...