As Adelaide United's philosophy of backing young footballers continues into the 2024/25 A-League Men season, some of the club's young stars spoke to Front Page Football about where they stand as Carl Veart's side looks to return to the Finals Series.
A group of Adelaide United youngsters and football staff visit partner club PSV Eindhoven in 2023. (Image: Adelaide United)
Jay Barnett: Returning from a long-term injury and moving into the experienced ranks
Despite moving to Adelaide United in February 2023, Jay Barnett has only made six A-League Men appearances. A catastrophic hamstring tear kept the midfielder out for nearly a year before he returned to action through Adelaide United's NPL side.
Something that has remained consistent for Barnett during his time back in South Australia is his coach's admiration. With Carl Veart lauding him as "one of the best sixes in the country" on multiple occasions, Barnett is ready to prove those words are accurate.
"It gives me massive confidence hearing those words as a player, injury or not. Coming back from a long-term injury, to still have the faith of Carl (Veart) and all the coaches and the club is a good feeling, and I hope to repay the faith in me this season," Barnett told Front Page Football.
Barnett will turn 24 during the season. Usually, the threshold players stop being considered young talents and start moving towards the prime of their careers.
He expects to continue playing as the anchor of the midfield, a position that predates his professional career.
"It's the role I've always played growing up, even when I was 15 and I had Carl as my coach. I played a similar role as that six, so it is nothing too foreign to me."
Ethan Alagich: Patience and hard work bear fruit
Season 2022/23 was a dream for Ethan Alagich. Less than a year after making his starting debut in a win against Melbourne Victory, the midfielder played a key role as the Young Reds claimed the NPL SA Championship.
When it came to his first full A-League Men season, though, Alagich had to be patient. He found himself out of the starting line-up and often unused on the substitutes bench.
"I just had to keep working on what I spoke with the coaches about to get better and what would help my performance. In the end, maybe not playing and working on what I needed to work on probably helped me in the long run," he said.
By the end of the season, Alagich had established himself as one of the first names on Carl Veart's team sheet, with the young midfielder starting 13 of his 18 league appearances. The strong ending to 2023/24 led to Alagich extending his contract for a league-record five years before his subsequent selection for the Olyroos in late August.
In season 2024/25, while obviously wanting to retain his spot in the crowded Adelaide United midfield, Alagich wants to combine personal achievement with team success.
"Last year, I said I wanted to play most games, but it didn't start how I wanted it to. This year, I want to be there for all those games, and I hope we can bring team success," he said.
"It is something we have been striving for, and we've been short on the final hurdle. Team success is the most important thing, and I think we can get there this year."
Archie Goodwin: An interstate leap of faith for opportunity
It is a rarity for an A-Leagues club to enter a season without an imported striker; it is almost unheard of for clubs to enter a campaign with two teenage strikers. Adelaide United have ticked both boxes, with Newcastle native Archie Goodwin moving to the Reds to grab an opportunity with both hands.
"I'm really excited; Luka (Jovanovic) and I have formed a good friendship and bond at the training park; we get along really well and challenge each other, so it should be good for both of us to battle it out. At the end of the day, we can both play at the top at some point; we are completely different kinds of number nines," Goodwin explained.
Goodwin shared that he is ready to put his injury troubles behind him and that he was intrigued by Adelaide United because of the club's track record of backing young talents like him.
"Round 1 is the aim. I've had a few niggles over the pre-season, which is just the change of environment I am getting used to. The training tempo here is way higher than what I'm used to, which is great, and I am happy to be here for that.
"Adelaide has the best potential for young players to have that pathway to get overseas. That was the main thing coming here; they've got a pathway for me and many other young players."
Amlani Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic, and Malual Nichola: The globetrotting starboys looking to repay the faith
Anyone approaching adulthood at the age of 16 often has a packed schedule of experiences. The trio of Amlani Tatu, Feyzo Kasumovic, and Malual Nichola have taken that universal truth to the next level.
In the past six months, the trio has received A-Leagues scholarships, been regular features of Adelaide United's NPL team, been selected for Joeys camps in Europe and the Pacific Islands, and visited PSV's Academy, all while balancing the normal life of a 16-year-old.
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A versatile, line-breaking defender, Nichola reflected on that period, stating, "The last six months have probably been the best six months of my life, but they have been crazy as well. With travelling, NPL, plus school, it is hard to balance, but as long as you put your mind to it, you can get it done."
While it has been a challenging period, Kasumovic, a ball-playing centre-back, shared that the experience has been easier to handle because of the support and the mutual understanding this group provides.
"It is a bit easier because you go to training, and you have those two boys who are always there for you. Even when travelling, you feel comfortable in a room with someone you have known for a long time."
None of the players have been promised minutes in the upcoming A-League Men season, but they are ready to grasp any opportunity that presents itself.
Amlani Tatu, a player with an ever-growing highlight reel, spoke about what he can provide for his side if he receives an opportunity.
"I'm a fast attacking player, I bring flair to the game. I like scoring goals [and] I'm fast. I haven't really spoken with the club about what's going on with the season, but I obviously want to get some A-League minutes in me to show what I can do on the pitch and hopefully bring some flair to the club," the winger said.
Harry Crawford and Ryan White: Developing versatility in search of opportunity
Tatu, Kasumovic, and Nichola are not the only young players the Reds have high hopes for. Harry Crawford and Ryan White have also emerged as first-team contributors during the pre-season and are doing what they can to secure the elusive scholarship contracts.
Crawford, a winger characterised by his pace and precise delivery from wide areas, has made his senior debut recently, but he has also found himself at right-back. While he is enjoying the change, he knows he still needs to develop areas of his game.
"Obviously, I'm used to going forward; I still need to work on my defensive role. But it helps my transition into the attacking full-back (role) and makes it easier coming from being a winger. I know the attacking part that I have to do, just defensively; I need to improve on this," Crawford said.
Similarly, White, an all-round box-to-box midfielder, has found himself leading the line as a striker, notably starting in that position for Adelaide United in the club's Australia Cup Semi-Final at AAMI Park against Melbourne Victory.
"It was a great feeling for my starting debut, Melbourne Victory, Semi-Final, Original Rivalry. It doesn't get much better than that. I was a bit out of position but it is great to start either way," he said.
"I haven't played there before, but it is a position I should be able to play. Me and Carl spoke about it, but I am confident wherever I am on the park."
Adelaide United's young players will take the field for the first time in season 2024/25 at Coopers Stadium on the 26th of October against the reigning A-League Men champions, Central Coast Mariners.
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