Victory for Adelaide on the pitch was matched by a glorious occasion society off it in the first Pride Games, writes Angela Christian-Wilkes
Success comes in many forms – sometimes you can see it, other times you can feel it. It can be about tangible reward, or just a sense that good things have happened.
We had all of that and more in Adelaide on Saturday, advances made on and off the pitch. In sporting terms, one of the Liberty A-League’s most persistent questions was answered: can Adelaide United crack finals? Well yes, yes they can.
Leaving nothing to chance, they secured a first ever finals spot in their 14-year history with an emphatic 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory. But if you broaden the lens for a moment, the game intersected with another inaugural achievement, as the club hosted the leagues’ inaugural Pride Games.
The historical event sits within a broader context for the club, with ALM player Joshua Cavallo coming out publicly and becoming the openly gay top-tier men’s footballer in the world in 2021. Adelaide’s move to host the Pride games thus comes as no surprise.
At its heart, Pride is a clear and vocal rejection of the attitudes, behaviours and beliefs that silence and marginalise the LGBTQIA+ community. A joyful din is produced; shame and stigma are drowned out. The noise and colour at Coopers Stadium emitted from a host of pride flags – on the field, on the eastern stand, on the specially produced merchandise and on the player’s kits, as well as on Victory’s socks of solidarity.
Non-binary caberet artist Issie Heart, alongside the choir group Quire, added to the sound, while fans contributed with boldly lettered banners and loud support. This noise will continue to echo beyond Coopers Stadium, reaching those both within and outside the A-Leagues radius.
However, it is the quieter forms of work, done behind the scenes and out of sight, that means Pride isn’t just a game but is a deeper commitment to supporting LGBTQIA+ folk. The club partnered with Pride Cup, a sports organisation that facilitates clubs all codes and levels in holding Pride games. They also provide support in combatting homophobia and transphobia, with Adelaide staff and players attending education sessions. The proceeds from the merchandise and the players match-worn jerseys will go to Pride Cup, enhancing their capacity to support such initiatives at other sports clubs in challenging homophobia and transphobia.
Much of the work in building safe sporting environments isn’t visible from the stands or on the socials, but is instead woven into the day to day life of the club. This was the case when it came to Cavallo breaking his own silence. The environment had already been cultivated, allowing him step into the unknown knowing he would be sheltered and supported.
Adelaide’s win thus served as a small reminder that within safe and inclusive environments, athletes have the best opportunity to succeed and perform at their best. The unique home ground advantage seemed to buoy the Reds on the field, especially striker Fiona Worts who put her name down next to all three of their goals. The hat-trick takes her tally to 13 goals and puts her in even closer reach of the golden boot. For the first two, Worts was able to have a second stab after Victory failed to clear. The third was a crisp team goal. Straight after the restart, Isobel Hodgson sent the ball down the flank to Dylan Holmes, who sliced it in dangerously. Worts pirouetted at the end of it, sending the ball into the roof of the goal.
Worts received deserved plaudits for her performance, but this Adelaide United side aren’t defined by a precarious dependence on her. This year, the Reds have consolidated their footballing identity, with the team as a collective at the centre. Ten of this this year’s squad, as well as coach Adrian Stenta, returned. Within this group Emily Condon, Isobel Hodgson and Chelsie Dawber form a generational core who are seeing reward for their dedication. The squad chemistry has armed the side with depth, allowing Stenta to tweak the starting 11 without compromising on consistency week to week.
In turn, their inclusion in finals feels natural, almost inevitable, compared to the near misses in previous years. Although some Reds fans may disagree, it’s almost as if the wait was worth it, as Adelaide have not only secured a spot but have also provided ample to believe they can go all the way.
Beyond a busy opening 20 minutes Victory struggled to compete, their fatigue the inevitable result of playing seven games in 23 days. To add to their injury woes, a knock to goalkeeper Casey Dumont quickly proved to be anything but innocuous, with the goalkeeper leaving the ground under the care of paramedics.
Having used all available substitution windows, striker Maja Markovski pulled on the keeper jersey for what probably felt like the longest final stretch of her career.
Many teams are left to play for but themselves – well, themselves and the mischievous feeling that comes from causing a little drama. Melbourne City, who stunned Sydney last week, experienced a stinging loss of their own as Brisbane Roar won 1-0 on Wednesday night. Just before the half hour mark, Shea Connors fed the ball into the box, Mariel Hecher providing the minute and precise deflection needed to convert the chance. City’s Holly McNamara – who confirmed mid-week that she has torn her anterior cruciate ligament – further highlighted how immense her contributions have been so far. Their final sprint for the premiership may be bolstered by the Hannah Wilkinson’s return from Football Ferns duties.
Katrina Gorry said post-game that the Roar “knew we could ruin a few people’s finals and that’s what we’re looking to do for the next four games.” Canberra United, who have been agents of chaos all season, seem to have been unshackled from the weight of expectations, comprehensively beating Newcastle Jets 3-0 after a 2-2 draw against Melbourne Victory mid-week. While Canberra’s late run makes them the best of the rest, the 10 point difference between them and Perth forms a notable cleft through the middle of the ladder.
Despite this gap, United are very much still in the finals conversation – but perhaps not in traditional understanding of the concept. Sydney FC recovered from their first loss of the season, closing out the run with a 3-1 win over Perth which takes the Sky Blues to the brink of another Premiership.
But the result takes Glory’s fate out of their own hands. In order for Perth to claim the coveted fourth spot and make the finals, they must beat Wellington Phoenix and Canberra must beat Melbourne Victory. Victory may be able to scrape through to finals with a draw but no doubt be intent on a win. Both games will played at the same time on Friday, making for an incredible pre-finals finale of sorts.
