Adelaide United faces Western Sydney Wanderers with maiden W-League finals appearance in sight

ONE says they share the same qualities, while her ally believes their contrasts compliment each other. But Adelaide United centre backs Amber Brooks’ and Emma Checker’s partnership has taken the Reds to the verge of W-League history.

Adelaide United centre backs Emma Checker and Amber Brooks have led the Reds to the cusp of the W-League finals. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

ONE says they share the same qualities on the pitch, while her ally believes their contrasts compliment each other perfectly.

But Adelaide United centre backs Amber Brooks and Emma Checker agreed their partnership had taken their team’s fortunes to new heights this W-League season.

Reds captain Checker linked up with US import Brooks for the first time this campaign, as last summer’s wooden-spooner plotted a maiden finals appearance.

The duo clicked instantly, transforming Adelaide from the competition’s worst defensive side to its second best.

“Playing with Emma has been really enjoyable,” said Brooks, who joined United on-loan from National Women’s Soccer League club Houston Dash this term.

“We’re both very aggressive and we both like to step up and win tackles. We’re both competitive in nature and we’re hard on ourselves, but I think we both thrive on that pressure of being the last line

“The bottom line is she wants to win – ideally that’s what you want from a centre back partner.

“We’re very similar with that and that’s the foundation of what makes us good together.” American international Brooks had helped the Reds concede just 13 goals this season, less than half the number they coughed up last campaign.

Checker said playing beside the 27-year-old had been a valuable learning experience.

The three-cap Matilda said Brooks’ presence had also been central to Adelaide sitting just outside the top four on goal difference with three home games to play.

“On the field she’s showed her dominance and showed what she’s capable of as a senior player,” Checker, 22, said.

“She’s an excellent player, she’s composed and she makes the right decisions at the right time. The reason we work so well is we bring something a little bit different.

US defender Amber Brooks was a standout in Adelaide United’s W-League loss to Canberra United. Picture: AAP Image/Sam Mooy

“Amber brings a lot of physical dominance and she’s very good in the air.

“I probably don’t have that same dominance in the air, but I’m more of an athletic-style centre back.

“I’ve loved playing alongside Amber and we’ve had a really good partnership this season.”

Adelaide recorded just its second loss of the campaign in a 1-0 reverse to Canberra United last weekend. Brooks urged her teammates to seize the opportunity to bounce back, starting with Saturday’s clash with winless Western Sydney Wanderers at Marden Sports Complex (4pm kick-off).

“With Houston the past three years I haven’t made playoffs and that’s kind of been weighing on my shoulders a bit,” the ex-Bayern Munich, Portland Thorns and Seattle Reign defender said.

“So I can imagine for this club having never been there what that would mean.

“It’s something that we have to embrace and be OK with that pressure, because we deserve it and we’ve earned it.

Centre back duo Amber Brooks and Emma Checker have helped Adelaide United record the W-League’s second-best defensive record this season. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“It’s exciting that we’ve put ourselves in this positions and we have it in ourselves to secure it (a finals berth).”

SA-born Checker said leading the Reds to a history-making playoff appearance would be a career highlight.

“In my time at the club, if any year it’s going to happen, then this is the group that can do it,” Checker said.

“It’s always been a really good bunch of girls, but there’s something really special about this group.

“The belief within ourselves and each other is beyond what we’ve had before.

“The confidence we can build moving into these last three games is enough to make it happen.”