Stefan Mauk has been one of the signings of the A-League season and will be key to Adelaide if they are to realise their title aspirations.
The acquisition of Stefan Mauk from Melbourne City in January initially had raised some eyebrows amongst passionate United fans. After all, the club was exchanging an established and one of the league’s most versatile players in Osama Malik for an inexperienced midfielder who had featured no more than 40 times for City.
However, it is a move which has since been lauded by the Adelaide fraternity following Mauk’s seamless transition into the starting XI. Strictly speaking it was a swap for Malik, but essentially his arrival was viewed as the replacement for Jimmy Jeggo, who departed the Reds days later to pursue a career in Europe. In fact, it would be reasonable to claim the purchase is an upgrade on Jeggo as Mauk has the ability to not only create goals, but also score them in his repertoire.
The former Melbourne man made his debut for the team under then boss John Aloisi in January 2013 and appeared sporadically until the beginning of this season. He scored his inaugural goal in the Melbourne Derby against the Victory back in October, coming on as a substitute in a 3-2 loss and has not looked back since.
That auspicious cameo precipitated an increase in game time for Mauk and as each match went he continued to excel. Though it was not in his natural position in midfield, instead on the right wing with the license to drift inside from the flank.
After just half a year of consistent playing time, Mauk decided it was time to return to his hometown Adelaide, in that deal which saw Malik proceed in the opposite direction.
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Reports initially suggested David Williams would be on his way to Adelaide, rather than Mauk – much to the ire of many a Reds supporters. However, Williams rejected partaking in the transfer which would have seen him join Adelaide to ply his trade for Hungarian outfit Haladas.
With the richest club in the country having acquired Mariners’ duo Nick Fitzgerald and Anthony Caceres in the same transfer window, it made sense for Mauk to seek pastures new. Despite scoring four goals in half a season for John van’t Schip, the youngster was no guarantee of holding down a starting spot especially with those two additions.
Mauk cited a chance to play in his preferred position in midfield as a contributing factor to moving to the Reds. It was a decision which has certainly paid dividends for the individual as well as the club. Mauk’s dynamism and energy he provides the side in the centre of the park has transcended his predecessor Jeggo. Alluded to earlier, Mauk’s shooting proficiency is also excellent, justified by his three goals for the South Australians and taking his season tally to seven league strikes.
Coach Guillermo Amor also reserved praise for the 20-year-old after he played an impressive role in the 4-2 win over the Central Coast Mariners on Sunday.
“He’s fantastic. He’s fantastic in games in training, he works a lot always,” Amor said.
“He’s a very good player and we’re very happy with him.”
Mauk’s tireless effort is symptomatic of the philosophy Amor has instilled on his side – to work for each other on the pitch. The Olyroos man ticks all the traits required to be categorised as a typical box-to-box midfielder. He is determined to track back and assist his teammates defensively, constantly applying pressure and tackles on his opponents. And from an offensive perspective, Mauk is always looking to turn forward and ignite attacking moves when in possession of the ball.
The manner in which he slotted Adelaide’s second against the Mariners further epitomises the genuine quality he owns. Receiving the ball 30 yards out, Mauk went on an incredible individual run gliding past three players before nonchalantly finishing under the onrushing Paul Izzo.
Mauk’s promising performances are imperative to United’s chances of being a serious title contender. Without his vigour in the midfield, Adelaide will find it extremely difficult to win an elusive championship, given he is currently their man in form leading into finals.
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