Newcastle Jets provided the canvas for Eli Adams to unveil the palate of skills which earned him a move to Japanese giants Gamba Osaka and brought a maiden Socceroos call up.
On Tuesday night, Australia’s closest approximation to Chelsea’s Cole Palmer – in terms left-footed wizardly, physicality, eye for a pass and ball playing virtuosity – returns to the Hunter in the Asian Champions League group stage looking to remind Jets boss Mark Milligan exactly what he’s missing.
Adams, 24, left Australia with an A-league Premiership medal in his keeping and a showreel of goals and assists which has forever endeared him to the McDonald Jones Stadium faithful.
But sepia-tinted sentimentality isn’t on the inverted winger’s mind as he bids to use his return to the scene of his greatest exploits to convince Gamba coach Tomokazu Myojin to use him more expansively as the J1 season unfolds.
It’s been a slow burn since Adams joined the two-time J1 League champions and former Asian Champions League victors in July, with just 262 minutes of football across eight appearances.
But the former A-League Young Footballer of the Year is expected to start against a refashioned Jets side who were trounced 7-1 by Kashima Antlers in a match day 1 humiliation ritual.
“Newcastle was like a second home to me, everybody was really great there,” the ex-Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory man told Football360.
“It was so special playing in front of those supporters and my two years there (he was the club’s top scorer with 10 last season) were just incredible with all the success we enjoyed (which included Australia Cup glory).
“I’m looking forward to coming back – even though this time I’ll be on the other side.
“I have so many memories, one that springs to mind was my last goal in the A-League semi final against Sydney (which the Jets lost on penalties with the aggregate score locked at 2-2).
“The reaction from the crowd (to Adams’ 95th minute equaliser) was something you just can’t replicate. The circumstances and the occasion were incredible and belief in the stadium that night was immense.
“It sucked how the game ultimately went but that’s football. Overall, I have so many amazing memories in that stadium.”
The mass Jets exodus that followed, of which he was a part, is the nature of a competition forever in flux, with Adams adding: “A lot players have that ambition to play overseas and it’s rewarding to see so many of us get moves to chase our dreams and goals.
“I know what Millsy can do as a coach and whilst they’ve lost a lot of players they’ve also made some really good signings and I’m sure he’ll get the best out of them.
“The relationship I had with Millsy was incredible – he understood me as a player and his style of football really suited me and allowed me to thrive.
“You have to earn the trust of every coach – there are always ups and downs – but he gave me the freedom to express myself and produce moments of magic.
“At the same time, though, he was very clear what he wanted to do without the ball and it really fitted me to a tee. I knew if I went out doing what he told me then the team would be successful.”
Adams, for all his innate ability and smouldering ambition, is the first to acknowledge the move to Japan has been a quantum leap.
“I got injured in pre-season and it slowed things down a bit and made it a difficult start,” explained Adams, who received his first ever Socceroos call for last month’s two game series against Brazil.
“It’s been an incredible experience so far – maybe a little different to how I imagined. It’s a very physical league, everyone is very strong, sharp and tactically disciplined.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to grow, learn things and keep improving. Originally I thought it would be very tactical and technical, which it is, but I wasn’t so aware of the physical aspect of the game.
“I can only see my time in Japan benefiting me in the future. It’s all about learning how to adapt to the style of football and what the coaches want from you.
Eli Adams celebrates a Jets goal. Photo: Getty Images
“Playing games is the best way to develop – you can train all you want but nothing replicates the intensity of match days and incredible atmosphere the fans bring.
“For me, the big goal is to keep working and put myself in the best position possible so the coach has no other choice but to play me.
“I’m at a club with big expectations and big demands and that’s the sort of environment you want to be in. It’s a privilege to be under the pressure you get at Gamba.”
Though still awaiting his first minutes for Australia, being part of the camp for the Brazil games showed the esteem he’s earned from a coach who ironically used Adams only sparingly during their intersection back at Melbourne Victory.
Did the call up come as a surprise?
“Well, yes and no,” replied Adams. “It’s a strange one because being a goal to play for my country and finding myself in that environment is something I’ve always worked towards.
“I guess you could say I had the belief I could achieve it. Now I need to do all the right things with my club, show my quality and give myself the best chance to be selected again.
“There’s a great vibe amongst the boys and the relationships are really strong.
“I think Australia’s World Cup record speaks for itself and the ambition showed against Brazil (in the 1-1 draw and 4-2 loss) showed the drive to keep improving is there.
“Everybody is on the same page and I think we have a good mix of youth and experience, so there’s plenty to be excited about looking into the Asian Cup and beyond.”
Whether Adams goes on to create a new show reel tinged with green and gold remains to be seen.
Regardless, he’s never going to be one of football’s shrinking violets.
“A lot of people can play things safe but the players with incredible highlight reels and special moments are the ones who take risks and do something another wouldn’t,” he said. “I think fortune favours the brave.”
Newcastle Jets host Gamba Osaka at 6.45pm AEDT.
AloJapan.com