Christian Montegan 
Adelaide United 2024/25 A-League Women's season preview. Photo: Texi Smith. Design: Round Ball Australia.
Disaster, travesty, disorganised, embarrassing and woeful; the list is endless when describing Adelaide United’s horrid campaign last season which was a stain on the club’s history.
The Reds will enter round one this week on top of the table thanks to alphabetical order, but unfortunately, they should enjoy it while it lasts.
In 22 games last season, Adelaide succumbed to 15 defeats and conceded 56 goals to contribute towards a -35 goal difference – summing up the season with a humiliating 8-0 loss against the Newcastle Jets in the final week.
Simply put, there was no fight, desire or hunger from a side that understood deep down that they were miles off the pace, represented by a bottom-place finish with 15 points.
This is a team who have qualified for finals football once in their 16-season existence. Is there a lingering cultural issue?
A logical approach heading into a new season is believing that the only way is up. Well, it may get worse before it gets better.
The Manager: Adrian Stenta
Before the commencement of last season, Adelaide confirmed a ground-breaking announcement when they unveiled Adrian Stenta as the club’s first full-time coach of the women’s team.
Speaking of Adelaide’s sole finals berth, the 43-year-old was promoted from assistant to senior manager in 2020/21 – the season in which they achieved the feat.
That campaign saw a successful third-place finish and helped Stenta win the Coach of the Year accolade at the Dolan Warren Awards. There is no doubting his ability as a tactician.
But although managers are often viewed as scapegoats, there is only so much they can do from the sidelines. Stenta is tasked with a goliath mission to elevate a sinking ship from pure wreckage.
When Adelaide is at home and expected to be more on the front foot, a 4-3-3 formation is preferred to play expansive football and utilise the wingers to threaten in the final third.
However, examples against Sydney FC and Melbourne City last season suggest that Stenta opts for a conservative 4-1-4-1 setup with the sole centre-forward (usually Isabel Hodgson) expected to pick up the crumbs, while the holding midfielder is constantly supported by her two central midfielders who drop deeper.
That structure obviously flew out the window with poor results to show for it.
Defensively, Adelaide was a complete shambles and looked heavily disjointed in transition when it was time to progress the ball up the field.
The Squad
Nine re-signings are headlined by Hodgson and Chelsie Dawber staying put at the club in an attempt to turn Adelaide’s misfortunes around.
The pair scored a combined five goals last season with virtually one hand tied behind their backs, limited by the amount of clear-cut opportunities they received.
Promising central defender Ella Tonkin will be handed another chance to prove her worth at Australia’s highest level despite recovering from last season’s scars from a defensive aspect.
26-year-old Emily Condon became the first Adelaide United women’s player in history to reach 100 appearances for the club in March this year, continuing her career at the Reds where she offers leadership and flawless technical ability on the ball.
Also re-signing is Japanese midfielder Nanako Sasaki who contributes to the gritty side of the game and will get stuck into 50/50 challenges and break up the play.
The two additions that stand out on paper involve Matilda McNamara and Fiona Worts respectively.
McNamara, 25, penned a one-year deal in the off-season where she joins from Danish outfit AGF Fodbold. Not a known goal contributor, her main strength is on the defensive side of the ball which will provide Stenta a massive boost in that area.
The South Australian has already represented Adelaide in the past, so expect her to settle in rather quickly.
“While I’ve greatly enjoyed my time overseas, I’m excited to rejoin my United family for the upcoming season,” said McNamara.
“My experiences over the past few years have made me a more knowledgeable footballer and person, and I’m eager to contribute this value to the team.”
Unable to make a name for herself at Sydney FC, Englishwoman and former Leicester City forward Worts will try to break into the starting lineup under Stenta.
The 28-year-old is also a former Adelaide player, having registered 18 goals in 39 games during her time between 2020 and 2023.
Right-back Lucía León arrives after spending eight seasons with Tottenham Hotspur between 2013 and 2021, who could be a name to watch closely as an exciting acquisition.
In terms of departures, Alana Jancesvski’s move to Melbourne Victory might take time to sink in despite her struggles in front of goal last season.
New Zealand international striker Hannah Blake, who signed for Perth Glory as Rylee Baisden’s replacement before moving to Adelaide, is another attacking threat who has left the club for Durham City in England.
Maruschka Waldus missed just two fixtures last season, but the 32-year-old centre-back’s exit could provide much-needed fresh blood in a back four that looked off the pace last season.
19-year-old goalkeeper Grace Wilson, who last season became the first Australian professional footballer to come out as non-binary, saw the football community rallied behind them and pledged full support, has departed for a new opportunity in the USA for the University of Maine.
Expectations
Given the poor results experienced last season, five new additions to the squad are not enough to even consider finals football as a potential possibility.
Adelaide will rightfully begin with low expectations which could prove to be a blessing in disguise, but have they really improved their talent pool compared to a few months ago?
Escaping the bottom four at season’s end should be viewed as a remarkable sign of progress where youth is paramount.
For that scenario to eventuate is easier said than done, especially as the competition continues to improve.
Expect them to keep hold of the wooden spoon.