16/09/2026
EAGLES LATE SEASON SURGE SECURES RETURN TO DIV 1 FOR 2027
What looked like a reasonably strong start to 2026 for the Adelaide Eagles (back in Division 2) quickly turned into a four-way dog fight with worthy opposition that would last for the rest of the season.
A solid 7-1 win first up against Salisbury Inter was quickly overshadowed by draws with Elizabeth Vale and Seaford Rangers, and a loss to a solid Parafield Gardens in the first few weeks of the season. Injuries piled up and were compounded by needless red cards. Nevertheless, the Eagles, along with Elizabeth Vale, Gardens and the Southern Knights who strengthened as the season went on, would be the major contenders for who knows how many promotion spots at seasonβs end β everything was on the line.
By the end of May the Eagles were running deep into the cup, and Parafield Gardens looked to be running away with the title, 8 points clear at one stage. In June, the Eaglesβ league progress was halted with excessive flooding impacting their schedule like no season before. This saw them drop two consecutive losses away to Salisbury Inter and then Knights, followed by a 6-1 demolition in the cup against Greenacres.
Again hit by the Albanian β and now add the Colombian and Brazilian β tourist seasons, the Eaglesβ depth was put to the test once more in 2026. Some familiar, and new, names stepped up to fill the voids (none bigger than the departure of Headman Dadzie) including Noel Koka who lifted again in 2026 to impact the Aβs, Nemeat Haidari who joined brother Solaiman for his first season at the Eagles, as well as Arjan Bjeshka, Robert Cali and Jake Chaplin all back from long-term injuries.
With absences from Jaku, Abdija, Pjetri, Vecchi and Quintero, one thing was consistent β Eduart Palushi. He scored 14 goals and became the main route to goal after Dadzie left. As reliable was Kristjan Bacaj who renewed his senior squad claims as a rock-solid shut-down left back.
Coaches Leopardi and Bennett had their hands full with selection movement, rescheduling, and mid-week games to manage their squads.
When players landed back in Adelaide, the Eagles were on a mission β sitting 4th and at times 5th on the ladder, they had a mountain to climb, made even tougher with a gruelling 7 matchdays in 3 weeks to finish off the season.
The turning point was defining β a strong 3 β 1 defeat of ladder leaders Parafield Gardens at the end of July after being 1-0 down at half time. Goals from Jaku, Palushi and Koka breathed renewed energy into the Eaglesβ 2026 hopes. Wins against Vale, Unito away, and a 7-1 shellacking of Munno Para away were only marred by a 5-3 loss on a cold Thursday night to a reinvigorated Adelaide Khukuri.
This run, rounded out by successive and equally nail bitting 2-1 wins to Athelstone away and Seaford at home meant a win in the final game of the season away to Khukuri would put the Eagles up to Div 1 in 2027. Redemption was in the cards. And yesterdayβs match was starkly different from the attacking 5-3 loss just a week
and a half earlier.
Both sides struggled to link play up well, windy conditions and an
uneven pitch, and probably some nerves, to blame. Both teams had their chances, and while the second half rolled on the Eagles looked
more and more likely to break the Khukuri defense. Markaj was close on several occasions, Palushi almost stole the lead, and a shout for handball was waved away.
But only minutes later, Markaj was brought down in the box, Palushi stepped up and despite the Khukuri keeper almost saving it, the ball was parried into the top corner, stuck in the net for a moment but on the goal line β Eaglesβ hearts in their mouths β and then dropped over the line. Palushi β ecstatic β ran to his crowd and demanded elation. 1-0, and the crowd obliged!
After coming on Chaplin had some opportunities, as did others, to seal the deal, but none were taken. In the dying seconds, Khukuri looked to bring drama to the end of the Eaglesβ season, but Benny Karpoleh had other ideas β a nicely struck low shot made its way through a heap of bodies only for Karpoleh to track it and parry it away coolly, helping the Eagles hold on for victory and promotion! Abdija played his part coordinating the defence in what was overall a solid performance by the entire team.
Final Score 1-0
Best: Markaj, Palushi, Abdija, Vecchi.
Goals: Palushi (P)
The Eagles ended the season with a run for the ages β 7 wins from 8 games, 21 points and +13 goal difference to sn**ch second spot at the death from Gardens who, despite beating Munno Para on the last day, could only put 4 past the bottom side who were down to 10 men before half time, and missed out on goal difference only.
Congrats to the players, coaches and the entire club! Congrats also to Knights for their season. And thanks from everyone at the Eagles to each and every fan that came out with their friends and families throughout the year.
See you in Div 1 in 2027!
