"We have a compulsory team night out every month. The last one was very good but I can't give you details… they're quite private and they're a team thing," Santalab told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"It's a way of maybe talking to a player who we maybe don't speak to much to get to know them better and that translates on the field."

However the 25-year-old former Parramatta Power and Oostende striker reiterated his desire to meet the challenge of breaking into a first team squad heavy on talent in the front third.

"To learn and be part of something big at Sydney FC is all part of the challenge," he said of a frontline bolstered by both Mark Bridge and John Aloisi.

Last season, Santalab scored a couple of unforgettable strikes – one against Adelaide and another in Gosford. This year, he just wants to score.

"And I'm always happy to score bombs but tap-ins are the sweetest ones because they get the tally up," he said.

Santalab added that club skipper – former Socceroo and Sydney team bonding planner – Tony Popovic was "an incredible leader...

"Being in a team is all about being like brothers and like a family," he added.

"And going out on the field if you can be like that makes it so much easier to play for that person and to want to run and fight for him."

As for what goes on at a Sydney FC bonding night out, Santalab was playing his cards close to his chest.

"We're not like the rugby boys," he said with a laugh.