Adelaide United midfielder Erin Healy says her first goal of the season has come at the perfect time, giving her confidence and belief heading into Saturday’s Original Rivalry showdown with Melbourne Victory.
Healy found the back of the net in last week’s match and hopes the moment can spark an attacking lift not only for herself, but for the entire squad.
“Yeah, definitely,” she said. “I’m hoping that just opens the floodgates for me and hopefully for the team. We’ve been struggling to score a bit, and I’m hoping that opened it up for us and we can find more goals in the back of the net.”
While the result against Brisbane wasn’t what the Reds had hoped for, Healy believes this weekend presents the perfect stage to respond.
“It’s one of our favourite games – we’re ready to show up and put our best foot forward,” she said. “This is the perfect game for us girls to bounce back, and I think for the men as well.”
Healy acknowledged that the three-week break prior to the match may have contributed to a slow start, but said the team has taken full responsibility and is determined to correct it.
“It might have affected us – maybe that’s an excuse, maybe not,” she said. “It was more of a lack of energy that we couldn’t find within our team. Going into the next game, we definitely need to bring that. It came down to us individually, and we just needed to work a little bit harder.”
That message has been at the core of this week’s preparation.
“It comes from within us,” Healy said. “That’s what we’re focusing on.”
The 24-year-old is also enjoying life under new Head Coach Theo Tsiounis’ refreshed system, believing the group is learning quickly and growing stronger week by week.
“It’s been a different experience for all of us, but a good one,” she said. “He’s been pushing us, and he knows there’s more in us – and that’s what we want from a coach. We’re still learning the processes and his style, but we’re excited to see the outcome soon.
And there would be no better moment for that progress to show than in Melbourne this weekend.
“Forget last week – a win over Victory would feel good for all of us,” she said.
With her first goal under her belt and confidence rising, Erin Healy is ready to help lead Adelaide United’s attacking resurgence in one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
