Adelaide Croatia Raiders have waited 40 years to return to the national stage. A forgettable league season is salvaged by a strong cup run, as the proud South Australian Croatian community returns to the spotlight provided by the Australia Cup.

MetroStars and Adelaide Croatia Raiders have experienced starkly different 2025 campaigns. Despite their contrasting fortunes in the league season, this year's Federation Cup Final sees them clash for the season's first piece of silverware.