For Ethan Alagich, Finals football isn’t about reputation. It isn’t about history. And it certainly isn’t about fear.
As the Reds prepare to face Auckland FC in Saturday night’s Semi Final First Leg, the message from one of the club’s emerging leaders is clear.
“We don’t fear anyone,” Alagich said. “I think we’re one of the best football playing teams in the league. With the season we’ve had, we’ve shown how good we can be.”
That belief has been built across a campaign defined by resilience, growth and consistency.
After securing second place and earning a week off, the Reds arrive in Auckland refreshed and focused, ready to take on one of the competition’s most physical sides in a high-stakes Finals environment.
“It’s been a good freshen up for the boys,” Alagich said. “Now we know who we’re playing, we’re ready to go.”
Auckland thought present a unique challenge. Strong, direct and relentless across the pitch, they’ve proven throughout the season that they are more than capable of turning games into battles.
Alagich knows exactly what’s coming. “They’re a strong team, and they’ll use that,” he said. “They’ll bring fight, intensity and physicality.”
But for United, that doesn’t change the approach.
If anything, it sharpens it. “We’re going to be ready for the fight,” Alagich said. “And we’ll give it back, whatever they give us.”
It’s a mentality that reflects a growing maturity within this young Reds squad.
Because while United’s identity has been built around playing football, Alagich understands that Finals often demand something more.
“Sometimes you’re not going to win games by playing pretty football,” he said. “Sometimes it comes down to how bad you want to win.”
That edge will be crucial in Auckland, where the home side’s crowd and momentum can quickly swing matches.
But Alagich believes managing those moments – rather than avoiding them – will be key.
“There’ll be periods where they put us under pressure,” he said. “It’s about being smart, managing those moments and getting through them.”
Highlights: Last time out when we faced Auckland at Coopers Stadium
Despite never beating Auckland in the three previous meetings, the belief inside the Reds’ camp remains unwavering.
Past results, Alagich says, have come down to small moments – lapses that have ultimately proved costly.
“I think we’ve been unlucky at times,” he said. “But we’ve also switched off in key moments, and that’s cost us. If we fix that, I’ve got no doubt we can go there and get the result.”
For Alagich, the focus is simple. No distractions. No fear. No hesitation.
And as the Reds step into another Finals campaign, one thing is certain. They won’t be taking a step back. They’ll be stepping straight into the fight.
