Ahead of tomorrow’s RAA NPLSA Reserves Grand Final against table-toppers Croydon FC, United Media sat down with Head of Youth Football, Airton Andrioli, to discuss the team’s form, development, and thoughts on their opponents.
You can watch the match exclusively on KommunityTV from 2 pm on Saturday.
United Media: How are you and the team feeling ahead of the Grand Final?
Airton: Everyone’s excited. We had our final training this morning and reminded the boys how much we’ve enjoyed watching them play this year. The football has been great, and reaching the Grand Final is a reward for the hard work they’ve put in. As a coaching staff, we’re proud of their progress, and it feels like unfinished business from last year when we made the cup and league finals but fell short. Now, it’s about putting the icing on the cake and celebrating everything we’ve achieved.
United Media: Winning isn’t everything in your role. What do you think has been the key to the team’s success this season?
Airton: Consistency. We train the seniors and reserves as one group, so everyone receives the same preparation. Players who don’t make the first team always have the ambition to break into it. The way we play and our philosophy is the same for all levels – we focus on entertaining football and controlling key moments of the game. Yes, winning is important, but development is our priority. Ideally, those two go hand-in-hand as players mature, and we find the right balance between them.
United Media: What’s your assessment of Croydon, and how do you plan to counter their strengths without giving away too much?
Airton: At the reserves level, we don’t have access to opposition footage every week, unlike senior football. So, our focus is always on ourselves—on our playing style and execution. If we play how we train and stick to our principles, the result should follow. That said, Croydon is a strong side, and they’ve worked hard to make it this far, but our priority is executing our game plan.
United Media: You’ve faced Croydon twice this season—a 5-3 win in March and a 2-1 loss in June. What did you take away from those matches?
Airton: The two games were a bit inconsistent for us. At different points in the season, players move between reserves and the first team, so the strength of the squad can vary. But again, our focus is on how we play. If we stick to our plan, we believe we can get the result tomorrow.
United Media: I know you don’t like singling out players, but have there been any standouts this season?
Airton: It’s tough to comment on individual players because development is ongoing. Players are constantly evolving, both physically and mentally, so someone might be in great form now but could be different in a month. We’ve seen some players whose physical development is catching up with their technical and tactical abilities, which is great to see. Overall, we’re happy with how the team has performed. Many players have potential, and next year will be key for some to fully realize it.
United Media: How important is the Grand Final experience for this group and young players across the state?
Airton: It’s very important. We set goals for the season, and making the finals is one of them. A Grand Final brings everything together—it’s the last game, and you either become champions or you don’t. The added pressure helps assess how players handle big moments, and it’s a crucial part of their development. Hopefully, they’ll learn from this experience and use it to reach their goals in the future.
Adelaide United will now face Croydon FC on Saturday 7th September at 2:00pm at ServiceFM Stadium. Tickets can be purchased here.
