“It’s a new-look team but in the last two seasons Adelaide has finished first and second so the goal this year is to maintain that,” he says.

“Definitely anything less than a top four finish will be seen as a failure. We’re looking very strong at the moment and we’ll be competitive again. The boys are sharp at the moment and beating Newcastle 4-1 was a good confidence booster for the team for the start of the season.”

Eyebrows were raised when Ernie Merrick released Sarkies from Melbourne Victory following their record-breaking second season. Sarkies is widely-regarded as one of Australia’s finest young talents but with minimal game time at Melbourne, both player and manager felt it was time to move on.

“I was just after more game time and had the opportunity to come to Adelaide and so I thought it was best for my career,” he explains.

“I’d spoken to Ernie Merrick throughout the year and I guess there were just a few other players in front of me so I spoke to Aurelio Vidmar and in the end I guess he was pretty keen to have me at Adelaide.

“No one’s guaranteed a spot here but he just said he’d give me an opportunity and I’m keen to take that with both hands.”

Now, even more before season three has begun, Sarkies is especially keen to beat Melbourne when they travel to the Telstra Dome in round 16.

“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve got a lot of mates in that team and ones that I keep in contact with weekly. It’ll be good to get back to my home town and play in front of family and hopefully I’ll have a huge game.”