After last season’s close shave with success, the big ‘keeper is hoping to go one better this time around and capture the club’s first silverware and a place in the Asian Champions League.

“Missing out last year has definitely made me hungrier,” Reddy said.

“We’ve got a couple of players who are fortunate enough to have played in and won grand finals and they tell us that it’s the best feeling ever, so that’s something that we definitely want to achieve here this year.”

But he predicts a tough start to the season, with the Pre-Season Cup opener against Sydney FC this weekend.

“It’s pretty evident with their playing list that they’re definitely going to go in as favourites (to win the league),” he said. “But I think the good thing about this competition is that any team can beat anyone on any day.”

Reddy said he would be taking the Pre-Season Cup games seriously, as they could determine the team’s form going into the season proper.

“(We have) a tough trip to Wellington first up, so we’ll definitely be trying to win and obviously play well too.”

Coach Frank Farina said the team had been working hard and was focused on the season ahead.

“It’s been a long pre-season but before you know it the season will be on us,” Farina said. “To get three quality games is good.”

With captain Craig Moore suspended and Josh McCloughan injured, Farina said this weekend would be a good opportunity for young defenders Luke DeVere and Ben Griffin to get some game time.

Queensland Roar return from the Sydney match to play Wellington Phoenix at Stockland Park on the Sunshine Coast. The match kicks off at 2.30pm on Sunday, 27 July.