By Isabel Hodgson
One of the most emotional moments in my career came when we secured our spot in the finals for the first time in Adelaide United’s history. Of course, it was a massive achievement for the team, but there was something even deeper that resonated with me during that moment — the realisation that this wasn’t just our success. It was the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice from players, coaches, and staff long before us.
When we made the finals, the significance wasn’t just in the achievement itself, but in understanding the weight of what had come before us. Yes, we were the first team to make it to the finals, but the path had been paved by those who came before us. It’s easy to look at the present moment and think about the glory of now, but the reality is, that glory would never have been possible without the efforts of the players and coaches who laid the foundation. They carried the Club through difficult times, through rebuilding seasons, and through moments when it felt like things might never turn around. And yet, they kept going, kept fighting, and kept believing in the Club’s potential.
In a sense, the achievement wasn’t just ours. It belonged to everyone who had ever put on the Adelaide United shirt, every coach who had walked the sidelines, and every fan who had supported us, even in the tough times. We may be the first team to have made it to the finals, but we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Every player, every coach, and every moment that built this journey has paved the way for us to be here today. That was the essence of the moment. It wasn’t just about what we had achieved in that season; it was about honouring the history that had gotten us to this point.
I often think about the captains who came before me. As a captain, you’re not just leading a team; you’re carrying with you the legacy of all the leaders who wore the armband before you. It’s humbling to know that you’re standing on the shoulders of those giants, the ones who made sacrifices, showed leadership, and represented this club with heart and passion. There were so many amazing captains before me, each with their own unique qualities and leadership styles, and each had left their mark on the Club. Their hard work, determination, and vision were part of the reason we could stand there, finally making the finals for the first time.
It was also about the moments that defined our journey — the moments when we didn’t have the results we wanted, but we kept pushing, kept believing, and kept improving. Every single player who came and went before us added something to this journey, no matter how big or small. From the early struggles to the eventual triumphs, every single effort, every ounce of sweat, contributed to the final destination.
That’s why, whenever I think back on that moment, it’s always about the team before us, the ones who had to endure the tough times, the ones who didn’t see the glory but still fought for it. It’s their legacy that paved the way for us. And now, as the first team to make the finals, I know we are just the next chapter in the ongoing story of Adelaide United — a story written by many, many hands before ours.
