A new chapter in a storied history
Adelaide City's successful 2026 NPL SA season marks the club's return to the national stage in its 80th year. As the Black and White prepare to celebrate their inclusion in the 2026 Australian Championship, we dig into five storylines to watch as they enter the campaign.
Celebrating history
Whenever Adelaide City are involved, you know there are multiple historical points worth discussing. With the club returning to the national stage in its 80th year, it will be as much a celebration of its history as a new chapter.
First and foremost, club captain Nicholas Bucco may be potentially wrapping up his career at the end of the club’s Australian Championship season. Bucco is one of the club’s most important players in its post-NSL history, spending 15 silverware-laden years at the club and participation in this competition is an apt celebration of his contribution.
Another historical intricacy is Adelaide City Football Director Angelo Costanzo, who played for the club in the NSL, completing the signing of his son, Dom Costanzo, from fellow championship club Marconi, to continue the family legacy at the club.
Similarly, Josh Mori, son of Adelaide City NSL hero Damian Mori, has signed back for the club where he got his senior start, and will stay for the duration of the Australian Championship. He is sure to add another layer to the attacking threat at Adelaide City Park.
Embracing the future
While Adelaide City cannot be discussed without a nod to their storied past, the same can be said about their production line of players. This tradition is set to continue in the Australian Championship.
For Adelaide City, first and foremost, it's 21-year-old left-back Oliver Western. Western began his football journey at Adelaide City at only five years of age and in recent years has broken into the main team and thrived.
Despite highly touted players like Bailey O’Neil and Noah Smith arriving at the club, Vas Parhas’ trust in Western has remained resolute, with the fullback keeping his position while O’Neil and Smith have played in the heart of defence.
Western is an inspiration for any City junior and a point of pride for anyone involved with the club, having won the 2026 NPL SA Grand Final player of the match award, and scoring on the day, 13 years after walking out with former club captain Matt Halliday as a Miniroo for a Federation Cup Final.
Adelaide City have also looked outside, signing Fabian Grelli on a permanent deal and Malual Nichola on loan from Adelaide United. The moves add quality and energy across the pitch and continue the club’s tradition of balancing success with player development.
A stubborn, resilient backline
The most impressive part of Adelaide City’s season was their defensive output. Coming into the 2026 NPL SA campaign, City’s forward line looked like a threat which could steamroll the competition; instead, their backline made the biggest difference, conceding only 16 goals in 22 league games.
This achievement becomes even more impressive when you remember 2025 Club Champion Noah Smith missed a major part of the season, and 2025 Team of the Year centre-back Lewis Killoh played only two league games.
At times, Adelaide City played with two fullbacks, Bradley Corbo and Bailey O’Neil, as makeshift central defenders when another central defender, Yared Abetew, has been unavailable.
Alongside current NPL SA Goalkeeper of the Year John Hall, the Black and White have reinforced their backline, signing Malual Nichola on loan to support Fergus Lynch at right-back and securing the services of back-to-back NPL SA Team of the Year central defender Bol Mapor from Crodyon FC — also on loan.
If Adelaide City are to enjoy success in their inaugural Australian Championship campaign, their defence will be a major feature.
Interstate experience in attack
One underrated part of Adelaide City’s 2026 Australian Championship campaign is the experience of their premier attacking players. Despite not being in the advanced stages of their careers, Dom Costanzo (25), Asad Kasumovic (25), Luis Lawrie-Lattanzio (24), and Yuki Kitano (23) all have solid experience in quality interstate competitions.
Costanzo is the most familiar with the Australian Championship, playing multiple years for Marconi Stallions, a foundation club, before playing in the competition’s first campaign with Wests APIA.
Meanwhile, Asad Kasumovic had a successful stint at Oakleigh Cannons, where he was a regular contributor to a side which won the 2024 NPL Victoria and reached the Australia Cup quarter-finals.
Lawrie-Lattanzio has featured in the A-League with Melbourne Victory, while also honing his craft overseas with Canadian Premier League side York United.
Before arriving in South Australia, Yuki Kitano was a teammate of Costanzo's at Marconi.
Having multiple attackers familiar with their opponents' quality and physicality can be a game-changer in a competition where one chance can mean the difference between qualification and elimination. Equally important is their experience and leadership, especially for the club’s less tenured players.
A (mostly) Italian affair
While the Australian Championship often sees cultures combine on and off the football field, Group B is mostly an Italian reunion from across Australia.
Adelaide City will reacquaint itself with Wests APIA (APIA Leichhardt). The two clubs were powerhouses during the NSL's peak years and even met after the competition’s demise in the 2017 NPL finals series.
Another Italian club rising to prominence much more recently than Adelaide City and APIA is Avondale. The 2026 NPL Victoria champions will face Adelaide City for the first time, with mutual respect guaranteed given their shared cultural background.
Finally, the group's recipients of all the Italian hospitality are the Newcastle-based Macedonian club Broadmeadow Magic. They will hope to spoil the party of at least one of their Italian counterparts by snaring a spot in the quarter-finals.
Interestingly, every Group B member except City competed in the original 2025 competition and will hope to improve on their results, with Wests APIA and Avondale knocked out in the quarter-finals and Broadmeadow failing to advance from the group stage.
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