Dominant MetroStars clash with resurgent Raiders in the 2025 Federation Cup Final
- Antonis Pagonis
- Jul 10
- 6 min read
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.
MetroStars captain Fabian Barbiero (left) with Adelaide Croatia Raiders vice-captain Noah Blazeka (right) and the Federation Cup. (Image: Football South Australia)
One NPL SA Grand Final appearance, one Federation Cup win, two Premierships, and a deep Australia Cup run. Saying that MetroStars have been one of South Australia's pace setters since Danny Graystone was hired as the club's Head Coach would be an understatement.
One of the blemishes of Graystone's time in charge was an early exit in the third round of the 2024 Federation Cup, losing to Croydon at home only days after beating them comfortably in the league.
Speaking to Front Page Football, Graystone believes that the loss has driven his side this year through a challenging cup run, which has included both of last year's finalists, Campbelltown City and Modbury Jets.
"We were absolutely gutted last year," Graystone admitted.
"From the outset in pre-season, when we sat down to talk about the year ahead and what our goals and ambitions were going to be, the first thing that came up from the players was how disappointed they were at the early cup exit, because we were the cup-holders at the time as well.
"It is not always about playing in the Australia Cup, but also winning a trophy. There aren't many opportunities to win silverware in one's lifespan; it's fantastic to make the Round of 32, but we're looking forward to the Cup Final because it's a special occasion."
Danny Graystone speaks to his players during the Federation Cup Semi-Final against Adelaide Comets. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
One of the key learnings from Graystone's early Federation Cup exit last year was the need for squad depth to improve. With MetroStars reaching a Cup Final, making the national Stage of the Australia Cup, and presumably aiming to go deep in the NPL SA Finals Series, and likely competing in the first iteration of the Australian Championship, Graystone is glad the club invested in the squad's already solid foundation by adding the likes of Owen Windsor, Arbi Mollas, Lionel Muhitira, and Jake Porter.
"The difference we have found this year compared to other years is that we have some real strength in depth. We've lost Nicholas Pedicini early on, Jackson (Fortunatow) has been out, Fabian (Barbiero) has been out for a large portion of the season, but have seamlessly replaced them with players who are hungry and operating at the same level, which is something that we haven't had in previous years and is key with our packed schedule."
Graystone's words are reflected by the league table, where MetroStars stand first with an eight-point lead, having also added the quality of Lachlan Barr to an already stacked team.
MetroStars' opponents in the Final are the Adelaide Croatia Raiders, who languish in 11th place on the league table, 24 points behind the league leaders. But Graystone knows that this is not a true reflection of the opposition's quality.
"Raiders have shown in recent weeks that the league table doesn't really justify the quality of their squad," Graystone said on the change of fortunes that has seen Croatia win three of their last four games in all competitions.
"They've put in some massive performances in recent weeks; they will have big support there because this is a massive game for their club, but it is a massive game for us as well.
"One of the things we have learned over the past year is that teams raise themselves to play MetroStars, not just because of MetroStars being there, but when you are on top of the league, everyone raises themselves to play against you.
"We've got quite humble players, we never enter a game thinking we are just going to turn up and win. Raiders do like to get the ball down and play football, so it should be an entertaining spectacle as well."
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In the other corner, not many expected Adelaide Croatia Raiders to be in this Federation Cup Final. This feeling is not a reflection of the club's stature, but rather the turmoil they found themselves in a month ago.
The tension reached a crescendo at Gepps Cross after Raiders, stuck at the bottom of the table, were comfortably defeated by rivals FK Beograd at home days before a rematch in the Federation Cup Semi-Final.
The club made the difficult choice to release coach, and heart and soul member of the local Croatian community, Vlado Blazeka, from his role, replacing him with former player Phil Scardigno.
To say Scardigno had a baptism by fire would be an understatement. Meeting the players for the first time on Monday night, he had 48 hours to settle the group and orchestrate a plan for the Semi-Final against the high-flying Beograd.
"It was the most uncommon incident I have experienced in nearly 25 years of coaching!" Scardigno exclaimed.
"Normally, you get at least a week to work with your players, but I met the players on Monday night before the Wednesday game, we had a recovery session, and we literally went through the game plan I wanted to implement in the change room the night of the game!"
Scardigno wanted his side to remain solid and go into half-time restricting their opponents, before building their confidence from there. The game plan worked, with a late penalty converted by Donatien Niyonkuru, sending Croatia to the Federation Cup Final.
Phil Scardigno thanking supporters after advancing Adelaide Croatia Raiders to the Federation Cup Final in his first match in charge. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
For Scardigno, this is a stage synonymous with the club, a message he is ensuring his players understand, despite an unfortunate campaign so far.
"One of the first things I said to the group when I took over that night was that my time previously with Adelaide Croatia was that of a club always near the top of the table and playing for trophies; I've never been at Croatia in the position it is in now.
"My thoughts and memories, whether that was playing there or as a competitor, were that it is one of the key teams in the competition. For me, that was the message I wanted to get to the players, that they are not there just to be competitors, but to have that mindset of my days at the club and my assistant's, Brenton Hiern, because that is the Adelaide Croatia we know."
When it comes to his side's opposition on Cup Final day, Scardigno knows his team has its hands full when it comes to containing MetroStars.
Scardigno praised the MetroStars' quality and stability, describing the match as a "mammoth" task, especially with up to four senior players missing the final. But he knows his team will be prepared for the challenge.
"As much as you respect MetroStars for where they're at, what they've done, and their position on the table, at the end of the day, you treat it like a Cup Final and you ignore the table and engage in the one-on-one contest over 90 minutes and see what you can do.
"It is currently a David and Goliath contest, and the betting man may back Metro on form, but it is an opportunity for us to play in a Cup Final, and many of the boys have never played in one before, particularly a senior one, and we'll make the most of the day because we have nothing to lose."
While the MetroStars aim to reclaim the trophy they won in 2023, Adelaide Croatia Raiders seek to win their first Federation Cup in 22 years.
Winning the first trophy of the season can boost the belief of MetroStars in what is shaping up to be the club's most significant season ever. Meanwhile, for the Raiders, silverware not only brings back pride at Gepps Cross but also the confidence to rise from the relegation battle they find themselves embroiled in.
The two sides clash at ServiceFM Stadium on Saturday, July 12, with the Federation Cup on the line.
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