Five pieces form Adelaide United's picture
A thin squad and extra games
After almost a decade away, Adelaide United return to continental football for season 2026/27. While that allows everyone involved with the club to dream, once the A-League season commences, the reality of competing on multiple fronts quickly becomes apparent.
The fact that the only addition to this Reds squad with any A-League experience was Jacob Brazete, despite the exits of Yaya Dukuly and Luka Jovanovic, means that participating in the ACL2 competition willl strectch Adelaide United’s squad thinner than usual, with more weeks of multiple games and international travel that extends beyond the well-worn New Zealand route.
The squad's composition means that the vast majority of players are either under 23 or over 30, meaning that this will either be a new challenge or a big strain for the majority.
Keeping a fit squad is crucial for the Reds, who must rely on young, inexperienced players or debutants if multiple absences occur in Airton Andrioli’s starting XI.
The homegrown young veterans
What Adelaide United lack in the transfer market, they arguably make up for in what they have developed. While the A-League’s diminishing finances have led many clubs to rely heavily on their academies, the Reds began that process early and are reaping the benefits.
While the likes of Luka Jovanovic and Yaya Dukuly have departed for the United States of America and Slovenia, respectively, Airton Andrioli would have been overjoyed to keep some of his other homegrown stars. Despite overseas interest and the quality to secure a transfer, Ethan Alagich, Jonny Yull, Ryan White, and Panagiotis Kikianis have remained at the club.
While the fact that the oldest player on that list is 22 may confirm to the casual observer that these players are just part of Adelaide United’s extensive group of youngsters, the stats quickly show that age alone is a deceiving number.
Together, Alagich (90), Yull (75), Kikianis (53), and White (43) combine for 261 A-League appearances, and Alagich and White have also claimed the Aurelio Vidmar Medal as club champions in their young careers.
Having homegrown experience commit to the club for another year provides stability in an unstable league and can prove to be a difference-maker when the going gets tough.
Golden boots replaced by question marks
One area Adelaide United will certainly be scrutinised on is their production in front of goal. The Reds have historically had some lean seasons in finding an out-and-out scorer, with Dylan McGowan, a central defender, infamously claiming the club’s golden boot a decade ago with five goals across all competitions.
The last two seasons have been different, with the Reds not only scoring freely, but also claiming shares of the competition’s golden boot with Archie Goodwin’s 13 goals tying him with Sydney’s Adrian Segecic in season 2024/25, and Luka Jovanovic also claiming the same accolade alongside Auckland’s Sam Cosgrove with 11 goals in the last campaign.
Goodwin’s signing was promising from the beginning, with only his fitness a concern, while his departure opened the door for Jovanovic to show his quality. With Jovanovic’s exit, the Reds are left with Brody Burkitt, Ajak Riak, Mitchell Smith, and Anselmo to fill that gap.
While Burkitt had a massive performance last season against Brisbane, scoring a hat-trick off the bench, being a team’s leading striker is a much different assignment. Meanwhile, Riak and Smith are largely untried at this level, and question marks remain around Anselmo’s best position and fitness.
With Macarthur signing Musa Toure, seemingly under Adelaide’s noses, questions will be asked if he begins firing while the Reds try to fill a consecutive golden boot-sized hole up front.
Craig against time
Fireworks have usually accompanied Craig Goodwin’s multiple returns to Adelaide United on the pitch, but that wasn't the case for the club’s favourite son last season, who arrived from Al Wehda on a three-year deal prior to its start.
While the team performed well on the field, Goodwin, often finding himself in a more central role than Reds fans have expected in the past, was left frustrated, with only three goals in his 18 appearances, before succumbing to a season-ending groin injury.
Regardless of the sport, Father Time remains undefeated, but Goodwin has never shied away from a challenge.
The Reds captain would be the first to share his frustration at how the previous season played out for him personally, and as he heads towards his 35th birthday, the question of whether he's still the same player who strikes fear into the hearts of A-League opponents will inevitably be asked.
While similar questions may be asked for similarly aged veterans such as Juan Muniz and Anselmo, Goodwin's influence on the Reds throughout the year and his Johnny Warren Medal-winning ceiling makes his form something to focus on in his second year back.
After missing out on the World Cup, Goodwin has had a chance to focus on his recovery and has managed to get on the scoresheet against both South Melbourne in the Australia Cup as well as Tai Po and BG Pathum United in the ACL2.
Despite his form or injury status, Goodwin’s presence and ability naturally change the gravity of Adelaide United when he takes the field, making Airton Andrioli’s utilisation of his captain, and his own adaptation to the requirements of his coach and team key in deciding the Reds’ fortunes.
Who will make their mark?
The question everyone associated with Adelaide United asks every year, sometimes out of excitement, but usually always out of hope and desperation.
The financial position of the league and the club are no secret, but in every crisis, opportunities present themselves. The next generation has lived up to its part of the bargain so far, with players such as Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda shining overseas. Others like Alagich, Yull, White, and Kikianis are sure to join them in the near future.
While fans beam with pride knowing their club produced that talent, not knowing who is up next, at what level they will perform, or whether it will be enough to elevate the club’s performance, is always a nervous wait.
The Reds have multiple players across the lines, such as Amlani Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic, Sotiri Phillis, Malual Nichola, Fabian Talladira, Joey Garuccio, and others, who may get a chance to make their mark and follow in the footsteps of teammates who have seized similar opportunities.
If they can embrace that challenge, the feel-good stories may continue, as Adelaide United continue punching above its weight class, while producing excellent players to sell on for larger fees and to represent Australia.
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