It was once seen as sacrilege by those associated with Auckland City and Waitakere United to play for the enemy, but these days players tend to cross town more frequently than a busy Auckland courier.
The late Keryn Jordan was one of the first to swap clubs, when he
exchanged the red of Waitakere for the blue of Auckland in 2005, and his move caused some consternation and invective at the time.
Today's Super City derby in the ASB Premiership promises to be as spicy as ever, given the latest twists of the football carousel, with former Auckland City standouts Adam Dickinson, David Mulligan and possibly Chris Bale, who has recently recovered from a fractured fibula, suiting up for Waitakere.
Meanwhile twirling in the anticlockwise direction is All White Tim Payne - who helped Waitakere win an ASB Premiership title in 2011 before signing with Blackburn Rovers - but is now anchoring the Auckland midfield.
However according to experienced Auckland defender Andrew Milne, who has played in over 15 Super City derbies, the most important club hopper, and the key to City's success is former Waitakere striker Ryan DeVries.
"Emiliano Tade always provides goals, but I think if Ryan is playing well, then the attack is playing well," Milne said. "He's really good at linking up with other players, and with his pace he is so dangerous for us."
Devries, along with Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna, formed a potent attack of power and pace which led Waitakere to four consecutive league titles, before the pair transferred to Auckland last season.
"Ryan was new to the team last year and in the first three quarters of the season he didn't get a lot of game time, even in trainings he didn't really standout," said Milne. "But at the end of last year and this year especially he has looked fantastic. He's stronger, faster, and is such a threat."
Former All White Ivan Vicelich has been moved forward into a defensive midfield position, and will sit in behind Sam Burfoot and Payne.
"We have a lot of depth at centre back now, and Ivan is not the quickest anymore, he's getting a bit older, but as a defensive midfielder he's not going to get found out. He can control the game with his passing because he's so intelligent and has great technique. He just sits in there and it works well for us."
Waitakere will be relying on an experienced defence including former Wellington Phoenix centreback Luke Adams, player-coach Brian Shelley and former All White Andy Boyens.
In today's other matches, the Wellington Phoenix Reserves host Wanderers SC at Newtown Park while Canterbury United host Southern United in the Southern derby. Tomorrow Team Wellington head to Bluewater Stadium to take on Hawke's Bay United.
This weekend's ASB Premiership games:
• 8 Nov 13:00 Waitakere United v Auckland City Fred Taylor Park
• 8 Nov 14:00 Wellington Phoenix v Wanderers SC Newtown Park
• 8 Nov 14:00 Canterbury United v Southern United ASB Football Park
• 9 Nov 14:00 Hawke's Bay United v Team Wellington Bluewater Stadium
