South Adelaide v West Torrens Birkalla
PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia, Round 5

When: Saturday 26 March, Kick-Off 3:00 PM
Where: O'Sullivans Beach Sports and Community Centre; Galloway Road, O'Sullivans Beach

Teams:

South Adelaide: 14 J. Hawker, 1 A. Rodgers, 5 A. Horner, 4 R. Parker, 3 C. Reed, 13 D. Varma, 8 S. Carmichael, 7 C. Fagan, 11 G. Miller, 16 D. Sullivan, 6 B. Micallef, 10 J. Rideout, 12 J. Recchia, 9 P. Rideout, 15 D. Torr, 21 C. Tortorella

West Torrens Birkalla: 80 J. Cirillo, 6 L. D'Arrigo, 4 T. Dittmar, 24 I. Kamau, 12 T. Kawamura, 28 A. Le Cornu, 5 S. Nagel, 20 P. Pietrosanti, 3 K. Rowe, 8 C. Skull, 7 F. Suzuki, 23 D. Thornton, 14 H. Vuckic, 18 J. Watson, 11 R. Yates, 1 J. Torresan

Form:

South Adelaide: L L L

Round 2: Campbeltown City 5-0 South Adelaide
Round 3: South Adelaide 1-2 Adelaide United
Round 4: Adelaide Blue Eagles 6-3 South Adelaide

West Torrens Birkalla: W D W

Round 2: Adelaide United 1-3 West Torrens Birkalla
Round 3: West Torrens Birkalla 2-2 Adelaide Blue Eagles
Round 4: Adelaide Olympic 0-3 West Torrens Birkalla

Preview:

West Torrens Birkalla head south this week in Round Five of the PlayStation 4 National Premier League South Australia.

After last week's 3-0 drubbing of Olympic away, Birkalla will be after their second win on the trot over South Adelaide, a team with a fortress of a home ground.

"We have great support from the fans, and it can be an intimidating place to come, with the fans close to the pitch … it gives us a massive boost," says Daniel Sullivan, 21, of South Adelaide.

South sit third bottom with three points from four games, but they remain hopeful – after last year's similar early season performances – that results, and points will come.

"It's not been the best start, with the results not going our way, but as a team we're remaining positive.

"We're not too worried [about the points] … we would like to have more, but there's still a very long way to go in the season."

The team, like many others, with their bolstered squad is aiming for finals – which means a top six finish – this year, in the hopes of disrupting the status quo.

"We've made a few signings to strengthen up our side … we're still missing a key player, Johnny Moore, who brings a lot to the team.

"We're pushing for finals this  year; we don't want to be in a relegation battle like last year."

Coincidentally, South were on the same points this time last year, at third bottom, and by the end of the season they had surprised many with an incredible ninth place finish.

The team won't be playing for keeps, or aiming to repeat history this year, instead they'll be going for a lasting impact on the top division.

But, if they're out for success, South Adelaide must win their game, this week.

"We've had spells in games where we've been on top, and we've played some very good football.

"We're playing for three points and nothing less this week, and every week."

Both teams will be under pressure this week, though positionally you could say South are in more need of the points after losing their last three games.

With steady aspirations of silverware, WT Birkalla have eyes solely on three points, this week, which are dire if they want to keep up, while they sit at fifth on seven points.

"We've played some great football, and we have a couple of good results against big teams, but we still have room to improve – which is promising," says Jordan Watson, of West Torrens Birkalla.

A win, this week, is an absolute must for Birkalla, who are surrounded by four other teams – Adelaide Blue Eagles, West Adelaide, Adelaide City, Adelaide United –also on seven points.

"Every point counts, as we found out by missing out on the championship by three points last season."

When considering the tight top half of the league – last season – he says, it places a great deal of importance on maintaining consistency, in every game this year.

"Not just this game, but every game is important … we need to have the same attitude in every single game.

"South Adelaide are strong and fit, and they have a lot of determination, if we can match that we can walk off the pitch with three points."

They will be without their zealous dangerman – Paul Radice – this week, after the young striker was shown a straight red against Adelaide Olympic, last week.

However, the squad supposedly has enough depth to fill Radice's place, and returning striker, Watson, hopes he can be the one to do so, if given the chance.

"With Radice suspended, I would hope I'd get a spot, but I have to be patient … it's not going to be easy because we have a good squad and good depth."

Watson, 24, says he is eager to make his season debut after a lengthy groin injury, which kept him sidelined for the first four rounds, this year.

"I tore my groin in training, two weeks before the season started.

"I've been with the reserves the last two weeks, and I've played full 90's.

"I'm ready to go, and I'm waiting for the call up … I just have to wait for my chance and take it."

South – regardless of their position on the table – can be very unpredictable, especially at home.

Birkalla know this, and they are well aware that South – in the past – have beaten some high quality sides, so they have prepared for this week's game with a degree of caution.

"If you looked at them around this time last year, they were in a similar position.

"Towards the end of last year, they gelled well and went unbeaten, beating teams like West Adelaide, and Campbeltown, so you can't judge a team on where the are in the league.

"Different teams play different ways, you have to react to it well, and if they're dominating within the first ten minutes, the manager should be able to work around what they're doing, and try to counter it."

Written by Christian Fleetwood