Adelaide United Head Coach Airton Andrioli praised the belief, bravery and youth of his side after a remarkable 3-2 smash-and-grab victory over Brisbane Roar, powered by a stunning second-half hat-trick from 19-year-old Brody Burkitt.
In another dramatic night for the Reds, Andrioli reflected on the composure shown under pressure, the impact of tactical changes, and the continued emergence of South Australian talent.
Andrioli on Brody Burkitt’s unforgettable hat-trick…
“Dream come true. Absolutely fantastic for the kid. What I can say about him is that he’s got a lot of talent, but talent alone is never enough at this level. You have to work for your teammates, you have to understand the game, and you have to do the work that needs to be done. Brody does that.
I’ve known him for the last three years and I’ve always wanted to find the right moment to give him this opportunity, because the question is always asked – can you do it at this level? Today he answered that question. I’m really happy for him, not just for the goals, but for what this moment means for his journey.”
Andrioli on Burkitt’s mentality and personality…
“He’s such a humble, happy, positive kid. Everybody loves him around the group. Nothing fazes him – you can kick him, you can knock him, and he just gets up and goes again. That desire to succeed and to keep playing football is a joy to watch.
That’s exactly what we want from players coming off the bench. Energy, hunger, belief. He didn’t just come on and score goals – he brought intensity, movement and courage, and that lifts the whole team.”
Andrioli on the tactical plan and half-time changes…
“We had a clear plan going into the game. In the first half, we tried to bypass Brisbane’s press by playing with two big boys up front, because we knew they were going to put pressure on our sixes. That was tough on Anselmo and AJ, but it was part of the plan.
The plan was always to bring Luka and Brody on in the second half because they give us a completely different dynamic. Once they came on, we didn’t need to play long balls anymore. We could bring Jonny a little bit more inside, create connections, and play the way we wanted. We believed that if we stayed patient, those moments would come – and they did.
Andrioli on managing another dramatic finish…
“These games are not good for the heart, that’s for sure. Last week was a rollercoaster against Victory, and tonight was the same. At half-time we spoke about understanding the moments of the game – not throwing it away, not panicking.
Even when things went against us, even when the momentum shifted, we stayed in the game. We kept working, kept believing, and those who keep working hard usually get rewarded. That’s exactly what happened.”
Andrioli on youth development and South Australian talent
“We had ten Under-23 players in the matchday squad today, and five started. That tells you a lot about where the club is at. We actually left some players out who are also pushing for opportunities.
This process started a long time ago, and now we’re seeing it come together. Brody is a perfect example – determination, desire, belief. Hopefully his performance inspires others, because the pathway is there. It’s up to the players now to decide how far they want to go.”
Andrioli on belief, resilience and consistency…
“Confidence-wise, this result goes a long way. We’ve been talking a lot about consistency – moving away from the unpredictability of the league. We want to be a team that can get results even when things are not going our way.
The belief the players showed tonight, mentally and emotionally, was outstanding. Staying in the moment in a game like that is very draining, but it’s also what helps you grow as a team.”
