KEEPUP explores some of the father-son/daughter combinations to have been involved in both the Isuzu UTE and Liberty A-League throughout the years.
With the A-Leagues closing in on two decades of existence, we are starting to see two generations of families having an impact in the competition – in one way or another.
Whether it’s as players or coaches, both the Isuzu UTE and Liberty A-League have seen their fair share of family ties – particularly as of late in the newest crop of youngsters beginning to breakthrough to the senior setup.
Namely, Raphel Borges Rodrigues and Bernardo Oliveira who linked up for a goal with the Young Socceroos last week – 5206 days after their fathers and former teammates at Adelaide United, Cristiano and Cassio, did the same.
KEEPUP looks at some of the family ties throughout the history of the A-Leagues.
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Cristiano – Raphael Borges Rodrigues
Cristiano arrived at Adelaide in 2008 off the back of a successful career playing all throughout Europe for the likes of NAC Breda, Roda and FC Basel.
In his two seasons at the Reds, the Brazilian striker scored 15 goals in 61 games in all competitions, including the goal of the tournament at the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup.
Now, his son Raphael Borges Rodrigues is strutting his stuff for Melbourne City. The 19-year-old attacker debuted in 2020 and has gone on to make 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.
He also has six Young Socceroos caps and a goal to his name, coming in last week’s 9-1 win over Qatar in the U-20 Asian Cup.
Cassio – Bernardo Oliviera
There haven’t been many better – if any at all – left-backs in the history of the Isuzu UTE A-League than Cassio.
The Brazilian full-back was a force during his seven years at Adelaide United between 2007-2014, making over 110 appearances and twice winning the Reds’ Club Champion award, along with the Player’s Player of the Year in his first season. Cassio’s impact was recognised by being named as the starting left-back in the PFA A-League Team of the Decade.
Now, his son Bernardo is forging his own legacy in the same colours his father wore. The 18-year-old burst onto the scene last year with a tremendous debut season with Adelaide, scoring three goals in 23 appearances – including the sealer in their 3-1 win over Central Coast Mariners in the elimination final.
Bernardo has missed the entirety of the season to date with injury, but returned to action for the Young Socceroos, scoring two goals and getting an assist in the 9-1 win over Qatar.
Tony Popovic – Kristian and Gabriel Popovic
After a decorated career overseas, Tony Popovic returned to the Isuzu UTE A-League to finish up his playing days at Sydney FC in 2007.
Following a single season at the Sky Blues, the 58-time Socceroo went into coaching, becoming the inaugural coach of Western Sydney Wanderers – where he helped the team to a historic Asian Champions League title in 2014 along with winning two A-League Men’s premierships.
The three-time Coach of the Year also had success at Perth Glory and now, Melbourne Victory – winning the 2019 Premiership with the former and 2021 Australia Cup (then, FFA Cup) with the latter.
During his stint at Perth, Popovic handed debuts to his two sons Kristian and Gabriel – who departed the club for Europe in 2020 after 20 and 15 appearances respectively.
Kristian, a defensive midfielder, is now playing for Croatian third tier side Medjimurje, while Gabriel is at NK Rudes in the Croatian second division and recently, started in all four of the Young Socceroos’ U-20 Asian Cup contests – scoring twice and getting one assist.
Tony Vidmar – Mikayla Vidmar
Tony Popovic’s defensive partner-in-crime, Tony Vidmar, is also another to have family ties to the A-Leagues – with both he and his daughter Mikayla featuring in both the Men’s and Women’s competition.
Vidmar joined Central Coast Mariners in 2006, playing two seasons for the club before retiring after the 2008 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final at the age of 38 – where he and his teammates fell just shy of securing a first championship in a 1-0 defeat to Newcastle Jets.
His daughter, Mikayla, made her debut for Canberra United in the 2021-22 season, making nine appearances for the club – including seven starts.
However, his son Kane could be next to feature at A-Leagues level, as he’s currently in Adelaide’s Academy set-up
Richie Alagich – Ethan Alagich
Adelaide United unearthed the latest father-son duo this season when Ethan Alagich made his club debut in the Australia Cup.
Ethan is the son of Richie Alagich, who made over 400 combined club appearances in both the NSL and Isuzu UTE A-League. Richie played for Adelaide United for five years, including their first three seasons in the A-League Men’s – helping them to the first ever Premiership in the history of the competition in 2006 as their starting right-back.
Fast forward to 2023 and his 19-year-old son Ethan has made 16 appearances in all competitions for the Reds, including six starts as both an attacking midfielder and deeper lying player.
Gary van Egmond – Emily van Egmond
Another of the league’s father-daughter combinations comes from the Hunter with both Gary and Emily Van Egmond forging successful careers in the A-Leagues as a coach and player.
Gary coached Newcastle Jets to their one and only Isuzu UTE A-League Championship in 2008, winning Coach of the Year that season as well. Since then, he returned for a second spell as coach between 2011-2014 and is now the Jets’ Liberty A-League boss after taking over from Ash Wilson earlier this season.
His daughter, Emily, has achieved success in the Liberty A-League too, winning the Julie Dolan Medal in 2014 while winning the Championship with Melbourne City in 2020.
Since then, the 116-time Matilda returned for a short stint at the Jets last season, now playing for the club on five different occasions since debuting in 2008 as a teenager.
Damian Mori – Joshua Mori
One of the most famous surnames in Australian football has lived on in the Isuzu UTE A-League through two generations.
In the first few seasons of the competition, Damian Mori featured for Perth Glory, Central Coast Mariners and Brisbane Roar (then, Queensland), making over 30 appearances and scoring 15 goals in just under three seasons.
His son, Joshua, was signed as an injury-replacement player for Adelaide United earlier this season off the back of an incredible season in NPL South Australia for FK Beograd.
Joshua only featured once as a substitute in their 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory – under the tutelage of his dad Damian who is now Adelaide assistant. However, given his form at NPL level over the journey – it would be no surprise to see him get another chance at senior level.
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Alen Stajcic – Anika Stajcic
Alen Stajcic may never have played in the A-Leagues, but he will go down as one of the Liberty A-League’s most successful coaches and also had a tenure in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Stajcic led Sydney FC to two premierships and two championships, along with being named Coach of the Year twice.
He also had a successful tenure as manager of Central Coast Mariners’ men’s side helping them back to the finals for the first time since 2014 in the 2020-21 season.
His daughter, Anika, is still yet to make her Liberty A-League debut but is on Sydney FC’s books as a scholarship player.
Angelo Costanzo – Dom Costanzo
The Costanzo’s made Adelaide United history when they became the club’s first father-son pairing in 2020.
After his father, Angelo, forged a highly successful career in both the NSL and with the Reds in their first few seasons in the competition – Domenic Costanzo was signed on a scholarship deal in October 2020 off the back of an incredible season with NPL SA side Croydon Kings where he scored 18 goals in 14 games under the tutelage of his dad.
Unfortunately, we never saw Domenic feature at the highest level, but has since gone on to become one of the best players outside of the A-Leagues off the back of his solid form in NPL NSW with Marconi Stallions.
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Mehmet Durakovic – Emin Durakovic
Another of the league’s father-son/coach-player duos comes from the Durakovic family.
Mehmet Durakovic, an Australian football and NSL legend, became Melbourne Victory’s second-ever A-League Men’s coach when he took over from Ernie Merrick in 2011. Durakovic’s tenure was short lived, only coaching 19 games before he was dismissed midway through the season due to a run of poor results.
Now, his son, Emin is on Melbourne City’s books as a scholarship player, making a bench appearance against Brisbane Roar a couple of weeks ago off the back of some scintillating form for their NPL side.
Stuart Young – Jacob Young
Jacob Young, son of Stuart, made his Perth Glory debut last season, featuring twice after making the move back from Europe – having played for both Sunderland and Hoffenheim’s youth-sides.
His dad Stuart also played for the Glory, after a highly successful period in the NSL where he became Wollongong Wolves’ highest ever goalscorer.
Stuart played 22 times in Perth’s first two seasons in the Isuzu UTE A-League, scoring five times.
Mark Jones – Adriana Konjarski (nee Jones)
Mark Jones coached Adelaide United’s Liberty A-League side venire taking over as Newcastle Jets men’s coach in 2016. Jones’ time in charge was short, as he was dismissed at the end of the 2016-17 season following a last place finish.
His daughter, Adriana, has also featured in the Liberty A-League for Newcastle, Adelaide and Melbourne City – with her most success coming for the Reds
