It was a difficult season one for Adelaide United with the side only managing two wins for the campaign.  The Reds hierarchy have made significant changes to the squad this season and will hope that it also results in a change of fortunes.

Coming into season two it’s a new look Adelaide United with only five players retained from the season one squad.  Several young up and coming players have been added with Mike Barnett’s squad comprising solely of South Australian talent.  Forward Katerina Bexis, midfielders Christina Papageorgiou and Ruth Wallace and defenders Ebony Weidenbach and Ashlee Faul are just some of the new faces to watch.

Mike Barnett will have youth up his sleeve with some of his gifted players already making a splash in the national Under 17 and Under 20 programs.

Although it is a relatively new line up, the Reds have maintained a few players who completed their apprenticeships under stalwarts of South Australian women's football.

This season forwards Rachael Quigley and Donna Cockayne will be the headline acts alongside midfielders Angela Fimmano and Lauren Chilvers.  While they are currently unknowns, this Adelaide squad could surprise a few opponents who underestimate them.

Adelaide’s strength is also their weakness.  The Reds have lost significant experience from season one including leading goalscorer Sharon Black, Sandra Scalzi and former Matildas Dianne Alagich and Kristyn Swaffer.

While the changing of the guard was required, it does leave question marks about on-field leadership and the ability of the youngsters to manage the pace and physicality of the W-League.

For Adelaide United the first two matches will crucial as the squad will need to hold their own against tough opposition.



Young, quick and blessed with good touch and vision, Angela Fimmano and her midfield compatriots will need to step up this season with Dianne Alagich and Co departing the club.

Angela Fimmano

Fimmano has always known she wanted to be footballer. 

“I started when I was around seven or eight and I played at the local football club just around the corner from my house at Salisbury.”

“I started up in the forward line and I was a little terror.  The more I played the more I loved it.  “

At the age of 17 she has already represented Australia at the U20’s level but that is not where her ambitions stop. 

“My ultimate success would be to play for the Matildas which is every female footballers dream.  If I could even make the team, I would be pretty happy with that.”

One of the five players retained from last season, Angela Fimmano will need to guide teammates who have yet to experience the W-League.  On her side’s chances, Fimmano believes that with the players all of a similar age this season should yield better results. 

“We are all on the same page because were all young and can relate to each other.

"We get along quite well because we have all played with each other for a while now.  Pre-season has been about team bonding and we are ready for the season.”

Photo Credit: Cameron Wheeler (www.camwheeler.com)