Erin Healy and Sarah Morgan say internal standards are soaring as the Reds’ squad depth and intensity take a major step forward ahead of the new A-League Women’s season.
Adelaide United’s A-League Women’s squad is setting a new benchmark this preseason – fuelled by healthy competition, squad depth, and a refreshed coaching team under new Head Coach Theo Tsiounis.
Both Erin Healy and Sarah Morgan have spoken about how the team’s internal competition is raising standards across the park, creating a sharper and more driven group heading into Round One.
Healy, who recently returned from international duty with the Republic of Ireland, said the group’s early start to preseason has been invaluable in establishing rhythm and accountability.
“We started pretty early – earlier than most teams – and that’s been really good for us,” Healy explained. “It’s helped us find our feet and build a base.
Each week, each day, we’ve been getting better, and that comes from everyone pushing each other to improve. The standards are higher because no one’s comfortable – everyone’s competing for their place.”
The Forward, who won the Club’s Dianne Alagich Medal last season, believes the balance between competition and camaraderie has been key to her own consistency.
“With the new girls coming in, it’s brought a lot of depth and healthy competition within the team and within positions – it’s something we might not have had in past seasons,” she said.
“It’s all positive energy. The group is close, the environment is supportive, and it makes you want to perform. I love the girls and the community – I feel comfortable here, and that’s when I play my best football.”
That same tone of internal drive and togetherness is shared by Sarah Morgan, who said this season’s squad has a different edge about it – one that comes from knowing what it takes to compete with the best.
“Starting early really worked for us last season, so we’ve done it again,” Morgan said. “We had a successful season last year, but this time it’s about taking that next step.
We’ve got new players coming in, quality players, and they’ve lifted the intensity from day one. Training sessions have been fierce – everyone’s pushing, everyone’s positive – and that’s exactly what we need to reach another level.”
After falling just short against the two Melbourne clubs last season, Morgan said the squad has turned that experience into motivation.
“Last year we were the underdogs, and no one expected much from us,” she admitted. “This season, people are starting to talk about Adelaide United as a team that can compete – and we believe that too.
We know the Melbourne teams set the standard last year, but we’re coming for them. We’ve built a squad that’s strong, deep, and hungry.”
Healy echoed that belief, saying the combination of new faces and familiar leaders has created one of the most competitive environments she’s been part of.
“New girls, new coach, new staff – it’s been a really good refresh for us,” she said. “Everyone’s adapting well, and the healthy competition has made us tighter as a group. We’re building off last year’s groundwork and pushing to take that next step together.”
With less than a week until Round One, both players agree that the team’s internal standards have never been higher – and that’s exactly how they like it.
“Every training session feels like a game,” Morgan said. “That’s how we want it. If we keep that intensity, we’ll be ready for whatever comes.”
Adelaide United begins its 2025/26 A-League Women’s campaign on Sunday, 2 November, against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford.
