When Perth Glory face-off against Adelaide United in a little over two weeks time, should enigmatic striker Eugene Dadi be handed a starting spot or should he be riding the pine pony?
Six months ago this would a ridiculous question.
The fan-favourite was the leading goalscorer for the Glory in last season (he scored 10 goals, the most any Perth player has scored since the inception of the A-League) and with Nikita Rukavytsya, who has since moved to Dutch side FC Twente, they formed a fearsome partnership.
But after Perth’s impressive recruiting coup, which netted three Socceroo squad members, and the emergence of some the Glory’s younger players, is Dadi’s position now under threat?
In the off-season, the Perth went on an ambitious recruiting campaign. After four years of underwhelming performances in the league, Glory coach Dave Mitchell travelled in Europe in a bid to lure experienced players down under.
In the end he snared some impressive coups including Socceroos Jacob Burns, Chris Coyne and Mile Sterjovksi, former English Premier League defender Andy Todd and former Bundelisga striker Branko Jelic.
Mitchell has already publicly revealed his preferred position for his marquee Sterjovksi as a striker – which would he mean he’d be guaranteed a starting spot for the Glory.
But who should partner him?
In a refreshing change to past seasons, Perth are blessed with options.
Apart from Dadi, there are three other viable options – the club stalwart, the promising youngster and the overseas import.
With the acquisition of Coyne and Todd, Jamie Harnwell could be thrown forward where he has been successful in the past. In fact he scored the only goal in Perth’s last friendly against North Queensland Fury, though he has now suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.
Though young don’t overlook the technically-impressive Andrija Jukic. He was awarded a first team contract after a great year in the youth league where he scored six goals. He has also scored three goals in the Glory’s pre-season this year.
What is most exciting about Jukic is his potential. He is young, and will only get better with age and more on-pitch experience. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes his debut in the A-League this season.
And lastly there is Dadi’s greatest competition, in my opinion, in the Serbian Branko Jelic. He had his first run on against the Fury and, from his brief stint on the pitch, it looks like he is goal poacher – similar to Dadi. He could have, and probably should have, scored a goal in the friendly and is set to get some more game time against Gold Coast United on Saturday.
To some Perth Glory fans Dadi’s recent form in the pre-season has been disappointing, with some even questioning his work ethic. But at the age of 37, it would be understandable if he takes a little longer to get going.
Even in short time at Perth he has been a great servant and has already proved to be a potent goalscorer. Though he faces some stiff competition, it is for this reason he should be the Glory’s first choice striker, at least for the beginning of the season.
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