NICKY CARLE has never been a cheat, but he's starting to learn how to be like one as Sydney FC aim to get the best out of their beefed-up attack in time for the season-opener on October 8 against Melbourne Victory.

While all the focus was on Brett Emerton's debut in Saturday's final pre-season hit-out against Perth Glory at a rainswept Jubilee Oval - a 2-2 draw - it was Carle's new role as a shadow striker that was arguably just as significant.

Listening to sound advice ... Sydney FC's Nicky Carle. Credit:Steve Christo

The fact that he scored his sixth goal from seven trial matches - his best-ever total heading into a new season - suggests he's finally listening to the advice of those who believe he wastes too much of his talent at the wrong end of the pitch.

''It was the first time I'd played in that position, and I felt I did all right,'' he said. ''I've had a lot of chats with the coaching staff - 'Bimbi' [new assistant coach Steve Corica], [Zeljko] big Kalac [goalkeeping coach], 'Crookie' [assistant coach Ian Crook] - and they've all made it clear that they want me to have the freedom and the energy to get forward. I've been trying very hard to do what I'm told.''