Eli Adams has watched only one replay of his spectacular last-second strike that sent the A-League semi-final into extra-time. The Newcastle Jets attacker, along with many of his teammates, is still processing the roller-coaster night that ended with the team falling to Sydney FC in a penalty shootout.
The rest of the 25,032 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday night are unlikely to forget a sporting contest for the ages. The roar when Adams hooked his left boot around a bouncing cross and arrowed it into the top-left corner was heard from Broadmeadow to Branxton. It was spine-tingling.
“In the moment, I didn’t really take in how special everything was,” Adams said. “I was so focused on the game. I had that belief that we would score. It was crazy how things turned out. Watching it back, it was bittersweet. To see the reactions from the bench, the players on the pitch, the fans, the commentary … it was such a special moment. If I could, I would trade it for a win.”
Unfortunately, the Jets were unable to convert that momentum into a goal in 30 minutes of extra-time. The match went to penalties, and Sydney prevailed 4-2 to set up a grand final date with Auckland in New Zealand on Saturday.
Adams aggravated a hip injury he brought into the game and was not among the penalty-takers. “I had full belief in everyone. We had all agreed that that was the best scenario at the time,” he said. “Penalties are brutal. It can be a bit of a guessing game. Unfortunately, it just didn’t go our way.”
A Stellar Season for Adams
Adams’ equaliser in the semi-final was his 10th goal of a stunning campaign. He was rewarded with the Young Player of the Year award at the A-League awards announced on Thursday night. Other finalists for the best player under 25 included Jets teammates Clayton Taylor and Lachie Bayliss.
As expected, Mark Milligan was named the A-League Coach of the Year. Jets left-fullback Daniel Wilmering was the fans’ player of the year. Adams and Wilmering were among seven Jets players in the Professional Players Australia team of the year released on Wednesday.
“At the start of the season we came together and understood that if the team was successful, the individual accolades would follow,” Adams said. “This year has been so special. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it. It took a few days to sort of process how everything went on the weekend. We started the season with an average crowd of under 5,000 and to get 20,000 and 25,000 for the last two games of the season … it’s just been incredible. We would have loved to have gone that one step further and repaid their faith. We hope to build on that for next year.”
Overcoming Adversity
Adams missed five games early in the season with a hamstring issue. His return to full fitness coincided with the Jets’ march up the table. He scored his first goal in round eight and was flying in the final five weeks of the competition. “Once we went on that run of 10 games unbeaten, I was starting to find form and confidence in my body,” he said. “I picked up a quad injury and had a little minor setback. Towards the end of the season, I was able to let go and feel at my best, physically and mentally.”
Adams’ highlights reel included two finalists for goal of the year. His wonder goal in the semi-final would have been a third. He attributed his stellar season to a combination of things. “Playing with a lot of the boys for a second year helps build relationships,” he said. “The style of football that Millsy played really suits me. I bought into that. I gave it my all in every aspect of the game, I grew defensively and offensively. Scoring goals is the easy part for me. Finding the mentality to be able to affect the game in other ways was a challenge that was set to me for this year. There’s still a lot to go and a lot of growth for me.”
Future Prospects
Adams has a year to run on his contract in Newcastle. The 24-year-old attracted interest from overseas clubs at the end of last season and hopes to move abroad at some stage. “I would be lying if I said that I didn’t want to play at the highest level and push myself,” Adams said. “Europe has been always something I’ve looked at but I’m contracted to the Jets for another year. My full focus is here and on being the best I can be to make sure that we go one step further next year.”
Meanwhile, Alex Nunes and Max Cooper have been selected in a Young Socceroos squad to compete at the ASEAN under-19 boys’ championship in Indonesia in June.
