The 27 year-old Bradford City left-back, who has been banging on the Socceroos door for some time with his consistency, pace and power, was more than a little sceptical after being told he was selected in Ange Postecoglou’s squad for the clash in Amman on 9 October (AEST).
Having never featured for his country at any level, Melbourne-raised Meredith revealed that while he had not given up on the national team, he was far from certain whether he had gained the attention of Postecoglou.
“It’s nice to get the call but it came as a real shock,” Meredith said.
“When the club secretary messaged me to say I’d been picked, I messaged back to say 'is this is a prank? If it is I will be upset'.
“I thought it was somebody having a little laugh at me, to be honest. I knew I was playing well but wasn’t sure if I was in the frame for the national team.
“At the end of the day, I am still at League One level; I am in not in the Championship or Premier League. I have gone under the radar a bit but I am really happy I have been noticed and I am really looking forward to the camp.”
While Meredith is unlikely to pip an in-form Jason Davidson for a starting spot in his maiden call up, he will seek to prove Postecoglou right once again in selecting players from beyond the realms of Europe’s top tiers, as he has showed previously in picking both Bailey Wright and Massimo Luongo.
In testament to Meredith, Postecoglou has given him the nod ahead of 12-cap Aziz Behich for a danger game against a side which beat the Socceroos 2-1 the last time they met in Amman three years ago.
While most see him as a mystery man, Meredith's career has spanned through the lower levels of the English game with Cambridge United, Chesterfield and Shrewsbury Town before his breakthrough at York City, before switching to Bradford.
“I am looking forward to showing the boss what I am capable of and who knows what the future holds,” Meredith said.
“Jason Davidson is a good player who I have watched many times and he has done well for the country. I know Bailey Wright from playing against Preston in recent years … he’s a good player and a nice guy and I give full credit to both Bailey and Massimo.
“They have both set precedents for League One players getting their chance with the Socceroos. I think Luke Wilkshire was also in League One with Bristol City when he got his chance.
“I think the Socceroos have a good scouting system, and it’s obvious to me already the professionalism with the way things are done regarding sports science, nutrition and the like. They are right on it.”
Meredith was part of the Bantams side that made the 2013 League Cup final but missed the showpiece due to glandular fever.
He was a standout at Stamford Bridge last season as Bradford stunned Chelsea 4-2 during an FA Cup run which also claimed the scalp of Sunderland.
Meredith sprouted from pedigree sporting stock with his dad, Greg, a former squash champion and once rated Australia’s number 1 player in the 1980s, before being forced into premature retirement by a knee injury.
“My parents are ecstatic, they are over the moon for me. My father was rated in the world's top ten, and he is really proud now for me.”
Meredith has already garnered man of the match accolades twice his season and scored against Sheffield United last weekend.
“I have got off to a good start and just want to maintain that, and try and be man of the match every time I step on to the pitch,” Meredith said.
