Sydney FC stalwart Alex Wilkinson has given the SCG surface a big tick of approval and declared the Sky Blues have a mental edge going into Saturday's derby with Western Sydney Wanderers.
Central defender Wilkinson expects a special atmosphere for the first A-League match at the famous ground.
The SCG hasn't been used for a football game for three decades and will host four Sydney FC matches this season, with their traditional home venue next door at Allianz Stadium being rebuilt.
"We're looking forward to being at the SCG. We had a run there last week and the pitch is beautiful, it's fantastic," Wilkinson said.
"They are fixing the middle part of the cricket pitch and they are assuring us that will be fine as well, which is great.
"I'm really looking forward to getting 30,000-plus there for the derby and really experiencing that atmosphere, it's going to be special."
Unlike several of his teammates, Wilkinson couldn't recall witnessing a sporting event at the SCG.
"A few of the boys are telling me they go to the cricket quite often and have been to a few events there, but myself I haven't attended one that I can even remember," he said.
Sydney will also use Jubilee Stadium and Leichhardt Oval as home venues.
"We'll be looking to make all three grounds a fortress and be very hard to beat [at home] as usual," Wilkinson said.
Sydney have lost just one of their last 14 clashes against the Wanderers and thumped them 3-0 in a FFA Cup semifinal earlier this month.
"Obviously the belief when we come up against the Wanderers is very good at the moment because of the record we've got, so that gives us a little bit of a mental edge there I suppose," Wilkinson said.
"Obviously after beating them a couple of weeks ago we'll go into the game very, very confident."
Wilkinson said preparation was a key to Sydney's excellent derby record, but stressed that wasn't just reserved for the Wanderers.
"It's not a magic formula just against them," Wilkinson said.
"I think the last two seasons we've been quite good against a lot of teams."
Wilkinson said Sydney's defence was quite good in their opening round 1-1 away draw against Adelaide and they just needed to use the ball better this week.