The Wanderers' first grade team took on the W-League defending champions in a practice hit-out at Equex Centre on Friday before Sunday's trial against Newcastle at the venue.

Fielding a team minus their Matildas and Young Matildas stars, Sydney FC put four goals past the Wanderers but it would have been far more if not for a best-on-field display from Ryan.

"It was a real privilege to play against such a good team. We were all pumped and excited and I think it showed," Ryan said.

"There were nerves, but it was good nerves. There's a lot of players on that team that our younger girls really admire.

"It's good experience for them and building such a young club, it's good to expose them to higher level football."

Sydney FC defender Ellie Brush is preparing for her first season with the club after taking last season off to focus on her AFLW commitments with Greater Western Sydney.

She won't return to the Giants until after the W-League season in order to focus solely on football, with her goal to force her way back into the Matildas squad for next year's Olympics.

After winning two grand finals with Canberra United, she's aware how deep Sydney FC will need to dig to defend their title.

"A driving factor (to return to W-League) was the Olympics next year. I think I've still got something to offer there (Matildas) and if the coaches do too, I'll put my hand up," she said.

"I've been really impressed (by Sydney FC) from day one. We've been able to retain 15 or 16 players on the list and build on that with a couple of good signings."

Brush was impressed by the standard of the Equex Centre pitch and believes it's capable of hosting regular high level football.

"It's really good, it's probably better than our training ground at the moment," she said.

"We've played at smaller venues in the W-League. It will be a good yardstick on Sunday to see how it goes.

"It's great we can come out in the country and play, but also against the Wanderers girls today.

"Hopefully they got something out of it because we certainly did, being able to have a game and familiarise ourselves with the ground."

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