For this week’s Midweek Dub, Impetus’ Ben Gilby speaks to Adelaide United’s exciting attacker Alana Jancevski about her move to South Australia, a successful NPLW Victoria campaign, and her aspirations for the season ahead (8/11/23).
Above: Alana Jancevski in action for Adelaide United this season. Photo: Courtney Pedlar/Adelaide United.
Alana Jancevski is one of the most watchable players in the A-League Women. The attacker is someone who can reach into her sock, pull out her magic wand, and produce the most outrageous piece of skill or score a goal out of nothing.
The 20-year-old, who, in a previous interview with me described the football pitch as being her playground, made the move from Perth Glory to Adelaide United in pre-season, and the reports that the settling-in process is going well.
“It’s (Adelaide) referred to as the little sister to Melbourne (Jancevski originates from Victoria), so I guess it’s pretty similar. I threw myself in the deep end again, not knowing anyone. It’s pretty daunting but it allows you to grow. I’ve been trying to immerse myself with as many players as possible. Everyone is on the same page with what we want to do.”
The decision to move to Adelaide after two years in Perth was one that was made simpler for the attacker after her initial discussions with Reds head coach Adrian Stenta.
“What attracted me to the club was how Adrian was as a person and the culture he has built here. The style of his play is something that enticed me. He has instilled a family environment which is very much in my heart being a family girl. It’s allowed me to be really happy and have a good pre-season, one I’m proud of, and will allow me to be that unique player I want to be, to express myself, and be really supported by the coaching staff and players.
“I was at Perth for two years and grew a lot as a player and a person. I just felt for myself it was the right time to try something new. One thing was to get a bit more game time, and the style of play that Adrian (Stenta) wanted to play attracted me. There was interest from clubs around, and it was difficult to make a decision, but those were the deciding factors in the end.”
Jancevski moved to South Australia on the back of another successful season in the NPLW Victoria with Bulleen Lions. The club finished top of the ladder at the end of the season before going down 4-2 to South Melbourne in the Grand Final. Despite coming into the team midway through the campaign due to clashes with the previous A-League Women season, the 20-year-old hit the ground running.
“It was a season I’m really proud of. The mentality I went into the NPL season was like a kind of hunting mentality and just really wanted to get better and push myself. That really showed in how I was doing in training and how much extra stuff I was doing and it showed in games. To come in late and still score 13 times and get lots of assists was a very successful season for myself and allowed me to come into the A-League season in good shape and conditioning.”
One of the more unfortunate moments of Jancevski’s season with Bulleen was the accidental pole-axing of teammate and close friend Claudia Mihocic after the young defender announced her return from long-term injury with a goal in extra-time in the semi-final with Calder United. Reliving the moment caused Jancevski to collapse into a fit of giggles.
“I think that was a bit of WWE! I didn’t even notice at the time! Watching it back, I was like ‘Oh my God, I strangled her!’ It was all that excitement and adrenaline. To see a friend that has gone through a lot and flourish now. I’ve always rated her highly and hopefully that continues to grow for her.”
Turning back to the new A-League Women campaign with Adelaide United, Jancevski recognises that she is part of a new-look attack after long-time Reds strikers Chelsie Dawber and Fiona Worts both moved on in the close season and, whilst the Adelaide hit four goals in their opening game with Canberra, there is still a way to go before they reach their full potential.
“When you are working with new players, it takes time to understand everyone as everyone is their own unique player. I think we have a lot of quality up front that I really enjoy playing with. You have seen that already with some of the goals we’ve scored. We know we can be better and that will continue to grow through the season as we grow together. I think it’s really promising.”
“For myself, a successful season is making Finals and winning the league. That’s what drives me, I’m so competitive. I want to win and that’s at the forefront of my mind all the time. For me, it’s reaching consistency and being that 90-minute player that can be relied upon to score goals and providing assists.
“What’s big for me is not turning away from the player that I am, and I have fun creating the unique qualities that I want to continue to do and continue to refine. Something like the assist in the first game, I’ve been practicing that for years. To see something like that come off just shows that part of the game that I love to have fun.”
Long may Alana Jancevski continue having fun on the football pitch – the footballing world is so much better off as a result.
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