Having featured for every minute of Adelaide United’s Hyundai A-League season, Dylan McGowan is looking for it to continue especially with the Reds’ Semi-Final just around the corner.
Playing for more than 2,400 minutes this campaign, Dylan McGowan is the only Adelaide United player who’s not been withdrawn from a match, started from the side lines, or missed a clash through injury or suspension.
And with the Reds able to enjoy a week off prior to their Semi-Final at Coopers Stadium next Friday night, the rest has been welcomed by McGowan, who also said it’s been a privilege to have been involved so regularly with United.
“It’s nice to be able to sit back and watch (the A-League) for a change and see the pressure on the other teams,” McGowan said.
“It’s been a joy to play here this season and it’s been great for me to feature so much.
“It’s not too common (for players to play each domestic match) because a lot of boys get injured or have suspensions, which I’ve been close to a couple of times.
“To play every minute of every game in such a big season when we’ve won the Premiers’ Plate is something I’ll look back on with great pride.
“I’ve been fortunate to get through this season unscathed and long may it continue.”
As Premiers, United will battle the lowest ranked winner of the Finals’ two Elimination Finals that are being played this weekend and, as a result, Adelaide’s opponents are yet to be determined.
McGowan, however, isn’t concerned with the uncertainty surrounding it, nor the pressure that accompanies a home Semi-Final, stating he and his teammates have been playing do-or-die matches since Round 9 and their Premiership win will hold the squad in good stead.
“To win a trophy this early in the season with Finals still to come, it’s put confidence into the squad.
“Every team in the Finals, from my point of view, have good attacking players that I’m going to have to keep quiet, so we’ll take whoever we get and we’re at home, so we’re very confident.
“But we’ve been playing Finals-like games for a long time with the run to the Premiers’ Plate.
“We had ‘must wins’ just about every week after Round 9 because of the start we had, so we’re used to the pressure of having to win.
“When I came here it was a ten year wait for a trophy and now we’ve won two in two years, so we’re starting to repay the fans slowly and hopefully we can do that with a Grand Final appearance.”
