Adelaide United ready for Australia Cup battle with Newcastle
Free agent Room, 36, was recently linked with a move to Adelaide after spending last season at Belgian top-flight club Cercle Brugge, where his only appearance came in a Belgian Cup clash.
Reds officials have confirmed that Room is one of many options the club is considering to add experience to its goalkeeping ranks.
Following Delianov's departure, 20-year-old Max Vartuli and 22-year-old Ethan Cox are the only two keepers in Adelaide's A-League squad.
New Adelaide coach Airton Andrioli on Tuesday said that the Reds were hoping to strengthen their squad in more than one area.
'We'll definitely be looking in some specific positions that we could reinforce in our playing group,' said Andrioli, who in May was confirmed as the replacement for previous Reds mentor Carl Veart.
Apart from Delianov's recent departure, the club also parted way with key midfielder Zach Clough earlier this month, with the Englishman released from his contract to allow him to join Malaysian club Selangor.
'Football is a short career … and financially it was something that he couldn't say no to,' Andrioli said.
'I didn't want to keep a play here that was thinking 'I could have gone, I should have gone'.
'Zach is gone. That is part of the past now. Maybe one day he'll come back and we'll have a chance to work together, but now we're leaving that behind and just focusing on what's ahead of us.'
That includes Wednesday night's Australia Cup round-of-32 battle against Delianov's Newcastle at Maitland Sports Ground.,
The Reds will be without last season's skipper Ryan Kitto, who has been ruled out after being concussed at training on Monday.
Socceroos winger Craig Goodwin, who recently rejoined Adelaide, also won't play as he continues his recovery from foot surgery.
Andrioli said a decision on who would captain the Reds this season had yet to be made.
'We've got a leadership group that we have established, and we are in the process of finalising that. We're not rushing into any of that,' he said.
In Wednesday night's other Australia Cup round-of-32 games, APIA Leichhardt hosts Melbourne City, Canberra FC takes on Metro Stars, and Brisbane City meets NPL Queensland rivals Olympic FC.
Read related topics: Adelaide
Marco Monteverde
Sports reporter
Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world.
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News.com.au
2 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle preview: Lady Talea's impressive improvement fuels trainer Jason Coyle's faith in the filly
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News.com.au
2 minutes ago
- News.com.au
‘Extraordinary': Crows edge Hawks in thriller as clutch hero leads stunning AFL flag push
Adelaide has climbed into first place on the ladder and moved another step closer toward a top-two finish after outlasting a gutsy Hawks outfit in a topsy turvy, Friday night classic at Adelaide Oval. A contest filled with twists, turns and several lead changes, the Crows stormed home with six goals — two to Izak Rankine — in the final quarter as Matthew Nicks' side claimed a 14-point win, 15.11 (101) to 13.9 (87). Rankine's clutch fourth term helped turn the game, with the Crows star racking up seven disposals (four contested) along with his two goals and setting up another to Taylor Walker, who nailed two important late majors himself. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Meanwhile Riley Thilthorpe (four goals) and Jordan Dawson (21 touches, 12 tackles, two goals) also starred as the Crows charge towards their first finals campaign since 2017. 'There's a lot to like about what's going on with the Adelaide Football Club,' Hawks legend Jason Dunstall said on Fox Footy post-match. 'There's every reason to think they can go deep into September. They're growing in confidence and belief and that's important. 'Because from where they've come from, they haven't had this belief before. But they've committed to the path, they're seeing the fruits of the labour, it pays handsome dividends. 'You look on each line and think: 'There are players here who can get us where we need to go'.' It came after Hawthorn started the game on fire with a five-goal first quarter, before Adelaide returned serve with a six-goal unanswered second term in wild momentum swings. 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The Crows entered having won 10 of 11 games at Adelaide Oval this year, but it was the visitors who took centre stage at the outset. Hawthorn kicked five goals before the Crows managed their first major via Darcy Fogarty. But while they'd been undone by the Hawks at stoppage, a calm and rational Matthew Nicks recalibrated his group at quarter-time before his troops issued a stark response. Captain Jordan Dawson was at the forefront of Adelaide's fightback, with key spearhead Riley Thilthorpe also bearing the fruits of its second stanza dominance. 'It's a skipper-led comeback, isn't it? Four possessions, a clearance and a couple of goals already in this second term — more than anyone else on the ground. That was head-to-head with Jai Newcombe … and he was just too good,' AFL legend Jason Dunstall said on the Fox Footy broadcast. Demons icon and former captain Garry Lyon added: 'I loved what he did at the start of the second quarter. 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Of Nicks' message at quarter-time, Dawson said: 'I mean, we haven't had too many quarters like that this year. He was really calm, really measured, (just talking about getting) back to our process, to keep trusting each other in our roles — which we've been doing the whole year — but we got away from that, we got a little bit too sucked into the contest. Unbelievable to turn it around, and it just shows the maturity of the group.' 2. HAWKS' BLOW IN FINALS RACE AS SCRIPT BRUTALLY FLIPPED AMID 21-YEAR FIRST It was a Hawthorn blitz early in proceedings at Adelaide Oval, and it was all about its work at clearance. The Hawks were comprehensive at the source, winning the first-quarter count 15-5 to give themselves quality scoring chances. Evergreen forward Jack Gunston booted two of the first three goals for the Hawks, who hit hard off counterpunch, characteristically looking to go through the corridor as they piled on five unanswered majors before Adelaide's first to lead by 26 points at the first change. 'They were on fire. Perfect what-to-do on the road is get off hard, win the clearances, win the contested ball, tackle hard and put Adelaide on the back foot,' Adelaide Crows icon Mark Ricciuto assessed on Fox Footy. Dunstall added the Hawks' clearance ascendancy was a rarity this season: 'Fifteen to five for clearances … that's an advantage they've rarely enjoyed this season. And then that translates to a territory advantage … the defence stood up; they conceded 1.1 from 11 inside-50s.' The Hawks finished the opening term +20 for points from clearance. Six of their clearances came via Will Day, with that being the best effort in a quarter by a Hawthorn player this season. 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'We'll see — Dawson and Day, we'll see Newcombe and Berry; we'll see these matchups through the middle of the field … those contests are going to be instructive.' Conor Nash broke Adelaide's run of eight-straight goals at the six-minute mark of the third quarter, before the Hawks incredibly went on another rampant run of majors — booting five in a row for the second time on Friday night. Lyon said the response from Mitchell's charges was 'fantastic' after giving up the first goal of the term to trail by as many as 22 points, generating their scores off the back of 10 intercept marks in the quarter. 'Let's just put this in perspective. They gave up 20+ contested possessions in the second quarter, so to go in and gather yourself, give up the first goal of the third quarter, and then bang five in a row — fantastic response,' Lyon said. But inaccuracy was problematic in the final stanza, with the Hawks managing a measly 2.4 to Adelaide's 6.2 as they surrendered their eight-point three-quarter-time lead. The loss means the Hawks could finish the round as low as seventh on the ladder, with daunting matchups with Collingwood and Brisbane among its last three games of the home-and-away season. And in a year where it appears 15 wins might be necessary to guarantee a place in September, Hawthorn will simply have to win one of those Pies and Lions games to get to that number and give themselves a chance. 1. SAM'S FORWARD GAMBLE FALLS FLAT Sam Mitchell's bold selection call to play four tall forwards justifiably prompted plenty of media attention in the lead-up. They hadn't done it all year, so why now? Mabior Chol was the man recalled on Friday night after missing with a groin complaint, lining up alongside Jack Gunston, Calsher Dear and Mitch Lewis. 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Lewis is the one that can't really get to the contests at the moment,' Lyon said of the move. Mitchell's choice to name James Worpel the sub initially looked a perplexing one on paper, but you got the sense it was to rebalance the side if the plan to field four talls didn't bear fruits. Lewis kicked his first of the night with a snap at the 23-minute mark of the third, capping his night with seven disposals and four marks. Lewis, Dear and Chol combined for two goals. Again, it was the small who went to work for Hawthorn, with Nick Watson and Jack Ginnivan combining for 12 score involvements, and Dylan Moore adding five of his own and a goal.
News.com.au
2 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, August 2, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. NEWCASTLE BEST BET Nice win on debut here on the heavy before a tough third. Take beating. NEXT BEST In great form and loves it wet. Chance to bring up the hat-trick. VALUE BET Race 7 No. 5: BALLINDERRY SAL Won three from four on the heavy. Will strip fitter from her first-up fourth. QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 3, 7, 10 Race 6: 2, 4 Race 7: 5, 7 Race 8: 2, 4, 5, 11 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Hard to go past NSW Premiership winner AARON BULLOCK. LADY TALEA (8) worked hard early before fading to last on the Kensington first-up. Tracked the leader when second to Southern Heiress over this track and distance last start. Has trialled well on heavy ground. MISS FLEETWOOD (9) started in the market when ninth to Open Secret on debut at Randwick in January. Pulled up lame and has had a bone chip removed. Trialling well. I AM A WINNER (1) has looked good winning both recent trials. Was runner-up to Island Dec on debut. Bet: Lady Talea each-way â– â– â– â– â– SIRIUS LEGEND (3) made ground to finish fourth in both runs of his first campaign over 1400m and 1500m. Changed stables and returned with a handy second to Invisible Magic on the Kensington. PRECISE STAR (9) will take benefit from his debut sixth to Grand Prarie over 1100m on the Kensington. Will appreciate stepping up in trip. LE CHOCOLATE (2) was beaten as favourite first-up when third to Jamarni at Hawkesbury before a length-and-a-half fourth to Starry Desert here. Narrowly beaten over 1500m here at the end of last campaign. Bet: Sirius Legend to win â– â– â– â– â– SHE SWINGS (4) was good coming from last to finish close seconds at her first two starts before racing near the speed when fourth here in March. Will improve off her first-up fourth to Vanlee at Hawkesbury. UNITE THE STARS (12) has placed in once and that was on a heavy track when third to Tides Turning at Hawkesbury first-up. Drawn well and blinkers go on. TITAN OF FURY (3) is a first starter by Brave Smash from the Paul Perry stable. Nice closing win in his Beaumont trial. Bet: She Swings to win â– â– â– â– â– ROCKBARTON MAX (6) followed his nice trials with a smart Super Maiden win on debut from Newy after racing outside the leader. That was on a heavy track here over this same distance. Aaron Bullock sticks. CURL CURL (2) has won two races, both over this track and trip with one of them on the heavy. Also placed another seven times here. Handy second to Prima Bella when resuming here on July 12. SPECK (7) ended last campaign with a Highway win at Randwick. Returned with a third in a Bm82 at Tamworth. Is a second-up winner. Bet: Rockbarton Max to win â– â– â– â– â– EMPIRE OF ART (3) battled away for third behind the in-form Hooligan Tommy here last start. Ready to peak. SCOTTISH PEARL (10) followed two seconds with an all-the-way win over 2200m at Nowra in December. Has had three trials leading into this and has placed a close second on the heavy. HAPPINESS (4) scored a nice win from Black Bugatti over this track and distance last start. DALMANNDI (2) has trialled very well including a win in his Beaumont heat. Drawn wide and his maiden win was over 2650m. Bet: Empire Of Art to win â– â– â– â– â– OAKFIELD NEPTUNE (2) debuted with a nice win from Empress Tsarina on a Heavy 8 over this track and trip. Was wide when third to Tickle Me Pink last start. ETUDE (4) returned from a let-up with a three-quarter length fourth to Divine Vicky at Gosford. Placed three of her four runs prior including a second at Eagle Farm and a third at Doomben. JARED (9) just didn't run out the 1400m on a heavy track at Hawkesbury when fourth three starts back. Dropped back to 1200m and placed his next two. Is a winner on the heavy. Bet: Oakfield Neptune to win â– â– â– â– â– BALLINDERRY SAL (5) scored back-to-back wins last campaign, one on a Heavy 10 at Scone and the other in a Highway at Randwick in April. Battled away well when fourth to Ilovenews when resuming from a 10 week break at Scone. Won three from four on the heavy. TICKLE ME PINK (7) is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Port Macquarie and Newcastle on soft ground. He latest win was over Oakfield Neptune. Has two wins and a close second from three starts on heavy ground. EXCEED PERFECTION (8) ready to peak third-up after a long spell. â– â– â– â– â– RAJNISH (5) ran on strongly to win at Tamworth on June 27 and returned three weeks later with another strong win from Ancient Egypt on a Heavy 8. Chance for the hat-trick. THIS IS THE MOMENT (2) returned from a freshen-up with solid second to Satness after racing wide at Kembla then narrowly beaten by Stonecoat at Moruya a month later. CHATEAUX PARK (11) missed the start by two lengths at the start when resuming at Gosford. More than capable if he steps away with them.
