Graphic: Michael Alesich

Adelaide United making the top four is the Ross-and-Rachel storyline of the W-League. Sort of. Every season, fans and followers ask “will they or won’t they get together?” But, in a style more akin to Joey-and-Phoebe, so far the answer has always been no, they won’t. 

Last season, this was concluded quite early on in the piece. A sluggish start saw them grab their first point in Round 8 against Perth Glory. By that point it was too late, and they finished the season at 8th – dropping by two rungs from the season before.

Ins and Outs

For all their inconsistencies on the scoreboard, Adelaide always demonstrate consistency in their recruitment. New coach Adrian Stenta, stepping up from the assistant role, has carried over this approach from Ivan Karlović. Plenty of names that are synonymous with Adelaide United have re-signed, including Emily Hodgson, Georgia Campagnale, Emily Condon and Laura Johns. 

Stenta did not have to look far for new signings, drawing predominantly from the NPLW SA to boost numbers. This local focus reflects new initiatives from the club to strengthen and draw upon SA football pathways. Outliers from this rule are English Fiona Worts joining from Fulham, Annalee Grove making the trip interstate from Canberra United, and American Mallory Weber joining for her second season. 

One of the biggest losses to the side will be shot-stopping goalkeeper Sarah Willacy to Western Sydney Wanderers. The talents of young gun Mary Fowler will also be missed as she makes a name for herself at Montpellier, as well as her sister Ciara Fowler not returning.

Ins:

Outs:

Staying:

Strengths

That aforementioned consistency will give Adelaide United the edge, especially in the context of COVID. Many sides suffered at the hands of the Dub Exodus, having to look to new pastures for players. This has proven to not be an issue for Adelaide with over half of their squad having played together before. 

South Australia went comparatively (key word: comparatively) unscathed by lockdowns – enough to see out a decent NPL season, meaning match fitness shouldn’t be a worry. Not only that, the side will not have been overly impinged by quarantine restrictions, unlike Brisbane or Perth, nor have they had to contend with the interruptions of an outbreak so close to the season a la the NSW teams. 

With the season still a mere 14 rounds, getting off to a good start can be the difference between rising or sinking later on. If Adelaide can leverage this stability – or, more crudely, leverage the instability at other clubs – they could put themselves at a serious advantage. 

Adelaide also have consistency in terms of player distribution. While some sides in the comp look a little uneven in terms of having decent numbers in defence, midfield and up front, Adelaide seem to have gotten the balance just right (even if they did leave it quite last minute to confirm this).

Challenges

Adelaide’s consistency could manifest itself in other, less helpful ways. The team is guilty of slow starts and peaking when it is far too late. While this squad has, for the most part, been kept together and will not have to acclimatise to the W-League, it is still a squad which has pretty consistently missed the start. They must avoid that if they are in with a chance of playing finals this season.

In terms of personnel, the loss of Sarah Willacy was always going to be a big one fill. Sian Fryer-McLaren has experience at W-League level and was Willacy’s understudy in the 2018-19 season. The 29-year-old will need to lead from the back and use her experience to turn around Adelaide’s negative goal difference from last season.

Key players 

Defence – Charli Grant 

One of three Reds to be selected for the Women’s Talent ID Camp held in Canberra earlier this year, Grant has also been part of the Future Matildas program and the Young Matildas squad. Firmly on the radar of the national team, she spent the W-League offseason in the NPLW NSW with Blacktown Spartans. 

A solid defender who is capable of playing as a wingback, Grant will be able to provide strength in defence and add a bit of x-factor in attack.

Midfield – Dylan Holmes

This will be a big season for Dylan Holmes. Her fourth in the league, she will have the honour of leading Adelaide United after the departure of Amber Brooks. She will be hoping to exert her influence over the team through her captaincy, and back that up with solid performances in the midfield and in front of goal after she scored 10 goals in 12 games for Adelaide City in the NPLW competition in South Australia this year. 

Pulling the strings in the midfield, Holmes will be a calm and level head in the centre of the park and will look to guide the Reds to that elusive first finals campaign.

Attack – María José Rojas

International players – predominantly Americans – from seasons past have elevated Adelaide’s solid base, with names such as Abbi Dahlkemper, Danielle Colaprico, Sofia Huerta and Veronica Latsko passing through. However, one of their smartest signings and most promising goalscorers this season hasn’t had far to travel at all. 

The Chilean national team has been in and around Adelaide for a number of years, but has travelled the world playing football both at club and international level. She joins the side as the 2020 SA WNPL Player of the Year. Her time at Canberra United in 2019 highlighted her ability to score from range as well as her impressive workrate and pace. Alongside Adelaide’s 2019 Golden Boot Mallory Weber, her experience will be an important asset both upfront and in the team as a whole.

One to watch

Annalee Grove is another of the young Reds to have featured in the recent Women’s Football ID Camp. 

Earmarked as a ‘keeper with plenty of potential, the Newcastle native has spent time in the Emerging Jets program, the Future Matildas program, and represented Australia at the U17s and U20s level. 

While she will be in competition with Sian Fryer-McClaren for the gloves, Grove is exactly the kind of player who will benefit from the changes in the W-League.

Prediction

Will they, won’t they? Perhaps it is more a question of if not now, then when? With a season that has an overall focus on local players and young talent, Adelaide have a golden opportunity to prove their worth – and South Australia’s worth – in both of these areas. Deferring to Molly Appleton to back us in here, we say they will make the top four.

Related Images:

January 15, 2022: Chloe Middleton of Canberra United controls the ball during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Keeley Richards of Canberra United warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Jada Whyman of Sydney FC warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Chloe Lincoln of Canberra United warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Sydney FC players warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Holly Caspers and Alexia Karrys-Stahl of Canberra United warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90) January 15, 2022: Katie Offer of Sydney FC warm up during A-League Women’s Rd 7 match between Sydney FC and Canberra United at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on January 15, 2022 in Sydney NSW. (Image by: May Bailey | Beyond 90)

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