Over the course of our A-League 2020/21 campaign, Brisbane Roar blooded no fewer than six BRFC Academy products as talented young locals continued to earn elite opportunities with Queensland’s only professional club.
Warren Moon’s strong belief in homegrown players and the Club’s commitment to youth development led to A-League appearances for 13 players aged 23 and under, all while reaping on-field rewards as the Roar exceeded external expectations with a fourth-placed finish.
Continuing today with Eli Adams, we’re recapping the recent achievements of the Academy graduates who broke through for professional debuts.
.jpg)
Excelling in the NPL
Like many of his Brisbane Roar Youth counterparts, Adams took part in the A-League side’s slate of pre-season fixtures.
He was involved against Peninsula Power and the NPL All-Stars and most notably earned minutes against the Newcastle Jets in Coffs Harbour on 12 December.
The winger parlayed that opportunity into regular football at the outset of Young Roar’s NPL Queensland campaign, scoring his first goal in a big victory over Brisbane Strikers in March.
From there, a blistering run of form followed.
Beginning with his next strike against Capalaba FC, Adams hit six goals in as many games through to the end of May.
Signs of a supersub
Adams’ excellent NPL form was rewarded at A-League level in Matchweek 24.
He was named in the squad for the arrival of Sydney FC at a crowded Moreton Daily Stadium as Brisbane rounded out their regular season campaign.
With the Roar trailing by a goal, Adams was sent on for his professional debut in the 83rd minute and almost manufactured the equaliser.
His right-footed volley from a tough position was unfortunate to find only the side-netting, but that shot and his nine total touches made for encouraging signs.
https://players.brightcove.net/5498268480001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6257506864001
Building towards next term
Adams has since rejoined Young Roar’s highly promising campaign and has maintained his scoring touch.
The left-footer was on target in the recent win over Eastern Suburbs to make it eight goals for the season, a number bettered in 2021 by only six other players.
With the team well placed inside the top four, he will look to maintain that standard as the pointy end of the year in NPL Queensland and a new A-League term converge.
Adams ? Dehmie
Two of our newest @ALeague debutants linking up nicely in NPL Queensland.
? @FootballQLD #NPLQLD pic.twitter.com/RuahKZjJ7a
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) June 29, 2021
