"I was just in shock,"Brattan said."I have never had anything like this happen,being so close to them makes it very tough. Now I struggle to get through games."
The midfielder might appear to be in near-career best form with the high-flying league leaders but Brattan says there have been plenty of moments he hasn't been switched on during games. Instead,his mind has drifted to thoughts about Holli-Mia who,at the age of 22,is undergoing chemotherapy and is preparing for a bone-marrow transplant.
"It has been hard. There have been times in games where I feel I am not in the game which is not great,"he said."Especially when I finish training and I find out she[Holli-Mia] has had a rough day. It’s hard to think about football and it puts things into perspective."
She has been through hell everyday... She is incredible,she is definitely my hero. She has done an incredible job so far.
Sydney FC midfielder Luke Brattan.
When the schedule allows,Sydney FC have given Brattan extra time to travel to Brisbane to be by the his sister's side - she has spent the better part of the past four months in hospital.
"She has been through hell everyday. Now she had chemo,she takes her backpack and takes the chemo home,"he said."It’s full on and now it’s just part of everyday life[from] now until its finished. She is incredible,she is definitely my hero. She has done an incredible job so far."