New Adelaide United signing Dylan Pierias believes the Reds are well prepared to compete for major honors this season.

After a first-round bye, Adelaide will finally kick off their Isuzu UTE A-League campaign on Saturday at Coopers Stadium when they face defending champions Central Coast Mariners.

“Pre-season training has gone really well,” Pierias said. “Obviously we have the longest pre-season we’ve ever had and it can be a bit frustrating at times, but I think the coaching staff and the staff behind them have done a really good job of getting us to play a lot of games.

GET YOUR ADELAIDE UNITED V CENTRAL COAST MARINERS TICKETS HERE!

“I think we played 15 games, there was only one week in pre-season where we didn’t play a game, which kept us going and kept us fit. “We’re looking really good and I think we’re really excited to get into the second round.”

Having joined from Western Sydney Wanderers in the off-season, Pierias admits he has been impressed by what he has witnessed both on and off the pitch at his new club and believes they will be in position to challenge at the end of the campaign .

ASIAN ADVENTURE: AFC Champions League preview: Mariners and Sydney blockbusters await in Asia

“I’m here to win trophies and I think this group wants to win trophies,” said the 24-year-old, who won the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship during his time at Western United.

“There’s no point going into the season thinking you can’t win it and I truly believe we can. I think we have the squad, the players, the tactics and, more importantly, I think we have the culture and that is very important for winning trophies.

He continued: “I won one game at Western United and I just remember what that year was like with the lads and the culture. You get it right, and in my opinion, you are already halfway there.”

Pierias was one of five new faces brought into the squad this year, along with former Melbourne Victory forward Ben Folami, ex-Newcastle Jets forward Archie Goodwin, former Adelaide defender Jordan Elsey (free agent) and respected Dutch defender Bart Vriends.

Primarily a keen striker during his time at Western Sydney, Pierias looks set to play a different role under head coach Karl Werth this season.

“I’m quite a versatile player, I can play in many positions. I started here as a striker, but now the position of defender has appeared, more of an attacking full-back.

TOPICS: Made with Mithra moments: The biggest talking points in round one as Sydney FC’s title plan emerges

“Carl (Weart) trusted me and I think I did well. Wherever Carl wants to play me throughout the season, I’m just happy to play, to be honest.

He continued: “Whether it’s full-back, wing-back, full-back, wherever he wants, so we’ll see what happens as the season goes on.”

While it was undoubtedly frustrating for Pierias and his teammates to watch from the sidelines as the first round of the Isuzu UTE A-League kicked off last weekend, the 24-year-old admits he used the time off to have fun. as many games as I could.

“I have always been a big fan of the Isuzu UTE A-League. I truly love the league and watch every game. I’m not lying – I love watching every game.

He added: “I feel like there’s a bit of excitement around the A-League this year that I haven’t seen for quite some time. It was good to see Oakland and their fans, and there were really good crowds at the other games, so I was glad to see that.”

GET YOUR ADELAIDE UNITED V CENTRAL COAST MARINERS TICKETS HERE!