The National Premier League Season is nearly upon us and for the eight teams comprising the Men’s competition, preparation has been ramped up ahead of the Round 1 fixtures. At first glance the squads look fairly even heading into the new campaign with no clear and obvious favourite and that should make for a lively new season.
CANBERRA CROATIA
Ground: Deakin Stadium
Head Coach: Gaby Wilk
2023 League Placing: 4th
Finals: Winners
Australia Cup Qualifying: Winners
Charity Shield: Winners
In the end Canberra Croatia walked away from the 2023 season with three trophies in their pocket, the Charity Shield being added to by a triumph in the Australia Cup Qualifying Final against Canberra Olympic, and a Grand Final penalty shoot-out success over rivals O’Connor Knights, thanks to the penalty saving brilliance of goalkeeper Sam Brown. Few were surprised, after all, this is what Canberra Croatia do, and have always done. Delve a little deeper though and, some might argue that the triple triumph was glossing over some cracks appearing in the Deakin edifice. They only scraped into the top-four courtesy of a final day win over a depleted Canberra Olympic and were frustratingly inconsistent in the early parts of the season. Couple that with the departure of key names with hundreds of top-flight games under their belt, plus a new Head Coach in the inimitable Gaby Wilk, and the new campaign holds plenty of questions. A younger feel to Croatia will be the calling card for 2024, the addition and promotion of some exciting products ensures that, and how they react to their ever-demanding fanbase will be critical for the red juggernaut.
In: Johnny HAJDU (Tuggeranong United), Thomas JAMES (Canberra Olympic), Santiago LUPINO (Colon De Sante Fe), Jack PERAIC-CULLEN (Gungahlin United), Max TRUSHELL (Tuggeranong United)
Out: Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU (Gungahlin United), Daniel COLBERTALDO (Retired), Stephen DOMENICI (Canberra Olympic), Franc GRECO (Overseas), Jordan LAMB (Retired), Jack LEVERETT (Tuggeranong United), Kaz PATAFTA (Retired), Jason UGRINIC (Injured)
CANBERRA OLYMPIC
Ground: O’Connor Enclosed
Head Coach: Victor Yanes
2023 League Placing: 3rd
Finals: Elimination Final
Australia Cup Qualifying: Runners-Up
Last season was a strange one for Canberra Olympic. They started superbly and were well in contention for a championship tilt at the halfway stage only to succumb to a raft of injuries that derailed their campaign and left them fighting for a top four spot towards the latter end of the regular fixture list. That they ended third was a compliment to their powers of recovery but might well leave those of a dark-blue persuasion wondering ‘if only’. A loss in the Elimination Final to a fired-up Croatia followed, a double dose of red medicine that Olympic had to suffer in 2023 having already been beaten in the Australia Cup Qualifying Final in the ‘Canberra Classico’. They have sought to rectify one of the areas of concern, the perceived lack of goals, by adding the maverick Stephen Domenici to the squad, along with Michael John from Monaro Panthers, and the willing runner that is Harry Truman, snapped up from relegated West Canberra Wanderers. With a smattering of experience also on the way out, perhaps the most important recruit might turn out to be Sam Roestbakken. His energy and industry potentially manna from heaven for new Head Coach Victor Yanes.
In: Stephen DOMENICI (Canberra Croatia), Michael JOHN (Monaro Panthers), Sam ROESTBAKKEN (Monaro Panthers), Patrick SHORE (West Canberra Wanderers), Noah STEINACKER (Central Coast Mariners), Harry TRUMAN (West Canberra Wanderers)
Out: Ben CARLING (Brindabella Blues), Nelson CURLEY (Sabbatical), Thomas JAMES (Canberra Croatia), Tyson LIVERMORE (Monaro Panthers), Adrian MACOR (Gungahlin Juventus), Luca MACOR (Monaro Panthers), Max MELLICK (Monaro Panthers), Nik POPOVICH (Tigers FC), Hayden TUNNEY (Queanbeyan City)
GUNGAHLIN UNITED
Ground: AIS / Gungahlin Enclosed
Head Coach: Javier Roca
2023 League Placing: 2nd
Finals: Preliminary Final
Australia Cup Qualifying: Semi-Finals
For most teams finishing second in the League table, reaching the Preliminary Final, and the last four of the Australia Cup Qualifying competition would be seen as a success, but for a driven side like Gungahlin United, to end the season with no silverware was a disappointment. The latter two would have been very hard to stomach for Gunners fans as Canberra Croatia proved their nemesis on both occasions, a rivalry that has intensified over the last few years with matches between the pair becoming ‘must-watch’ occasions. There has been a lot of movement in the Gungahlin ranks ahead of new coach Javier Roca’s first campaign in charge of the black and whites, a raft of experience departing, replaced by some eye-catching new arrivals. Former Brisbane Roar goalkeeper Aidan Munford might prove to be the signing of the season if he can help Gunners cut down on the goals conceded column, while the return of Michael Katsoulis from Central Coast Mariners will boost the attacking ranks. In addition, Gunners have managed to persuade Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu to defect from Canberra Croatia and bring his goals northwards, perhaps the man to fill the very large hole left by the departure of goalscoring machine Maxx Green.
In: Lukman AHMED-SHAIBU (Canberra Croatia), Hayden BROSNAN (Tigers FC), Bailey DICKINSON (Belconnen United), Heath ILLITCH (Tigers FC), Michael KATSOULIS (Central Coast Mariners), Aidan MUNFORD (Brisbane Roar), Daniel OLAYE (TSG Neustrelitz), Jayden RIPPON (West Canberra Wanderers)
Out: Philippe BERNABO-MADRID (Central Coast U18 Coach), FERNANDO Jorquera (Monaro Panthers), Maxx GREEN (Sutherland Sharks), Misko NAUMOSKI (Queanbeyan City), Jackson PAESLER (O’Connor Knights), Michael PARAGALLI (Central Coast Mariners), Alessandro PENA (Tigers FC), Jack PERAIC-CULLEN (Canberra Croatia), Joshua PRIOR (Tigers FC), Jacob QUINN (Monaro Panthers), Benard RENE (Sabbatical), Jack ROWLEY (Tigers FC), Samuel VIZY (Kingston City)
MONARO PANTHERS
Ground: Riverside Stadium
Head Coach: Paul Macor
2023 League Placing: 5th
Finals: Did Not Qualify
Australia Cup Qualifying: Quarter Finals
Charity Shield: Runners-Up
On paper the 2023 season appeared to be a disappointing one for Monaro Panthers who parted ways with their Head Coach Ian Worthington at the conclusion of the campaign, and yet only minor moments prevented the Panthers from reaching the Finals, and perhaps even further participation in the Australia Cup. Panthers were the victim of circumstance in this respect, missing out on Finals on goal difference, only one point off second-place, in the most fiercely contested run for the top four in several years. Indeed, six of the eight teams in the division accumulated thirty-five points or more, and two had to miss out. Losing to the eventual winners Croatia in the Cup weas also no embarrassment. New man in charge Paul Macor has looked to strengthen the team defensively with the inclusion of ex-Gunners full-back Fernando and Olympic defender Max Mellick, whilst Jacob Quinn has been added to the goalkeeper stocks as the team seek to replace the irreplaceable in Jordan Thurtell. Luca Macor will provide additional impetus to the midfield, but much will, of course, depend on the class of Roko Strika, so often the man for the big occasion at the Riverside Stadium.
In: Rocco DI PLACIDO (Tuggeranong United), FERNANDO Jorquera (Gungahlin United), Finn JURAK (Overseas), Tyson LIVERMORE (Canberra Olympic), Luca MACOR (Canberra Olympic), Max MELLICK (Canberra Olympic), Jacob QUINN (Gungahlin United), Tom ROBERTSON (Tigers FC), Philip TALESKI (West Canberra Wanderers)
Out: Samson CARR (Tigers FC), Jack ELLWOOD (Tigers FC), Nick GRANDY (Monaro Panthers), Michael JOHN (Canberra Olympic), Joe LAWLESS (Interstate), Tarisayi MBOGO (Tuggeranong United), Archie MCGREGOR (Tigers FC), Connor MYNOTT-SMITH (Northcote City), Angus PITKIN (Tigers FC), Sam ROESTBAKKEN (Canberra Olympic), Jordan THURTELL (Interstate), Ryan ZANATTA (Yoogali SC)
O’CONNOR KNIGHTS
Ground: O’Connor Enclosed
Head Coach: Miro Trninic
2023 League Placing: 1st
Finals: Runners-Up
Australia Cup Qualifying: 4th Round
Winning a League title is hard, Anyone that has ever done it can attest to that, but retaining a League title, well, that requires something very special indeed, and that is what O’Connor Knights are aiming for as the new campaign kicks-off. The Knights emergence as a genuine powerhouse in the top tier may appear as an overnight success to those from outside the realms of the O’Connor inner-sanctum, but the groundwork has been laid for some time now and the first-grade squad harvested the fruits of that labour in some style in 2023. With that in mind it is hardly surprising that Head coach Miro Trninic has kept faith with the group that compiled an exceptional unbeaten run to take top spot, and the coveted League crown, with only penalties denying them the double against neighbours Canberra Croatia. The addition of Adam Stevens, the young goalkeeper from Tuggeranong, adds competition for the number one jersey, whilst luring the outstanding Jackson Paesler from Gungahlin adds more creativity and firepower to a team that is heavily stacked in that area and was one of the most watchable teams to emerge from the Capital Football competition in recent seasons. Expect the Knights to push on and be one of the teams who are fighting for silverware come Round 21.
In: Adam STEVENS (Tuggeranong United), Jackson PAESLER (Gungahlin United), Kobi YARIYARI (Tigers FC)
Out: Augustine BANGURA, Logan BROWNING, Eddie COGGAN, Alex CONNELL, Josip JADRIC, Chris KAZOLIS, Michael KITA, Jack MILLER, Blaise VLAZLOVSKI (Injured), Jake WILSENER
TIGERS FC
Ground: AIS
Head Coach: Ali Efe
2023 League Placing: 6th
Finals: Did Not Qualify
Australia Cup Qualifying: 4th Round
An enigma inside a mystery. For those who watch a lot of NPL action in the nation’s Capital, the Tigers FC slump from league leading title favourites to missing out on the top four was difficult to watch. When leading goal-getter Josh Gulevski departed for Melbourne mid-season, the Tigers attacking flair, which has been ripping teams to pieces, suddenly floundered. A series of injuries then took its toll and the threadbare squad managed to pick up just a miserly six points from the final twenty-four available. Even one more would he been enough to keep them in the top four, but it was not to be. Jimmy Kanaridis departed the club at the end of the season and Ali Efe is the man tasked with restoring the Tigers to former glories, a team that was capable of back-to-back (Covid enforced) Australia Cup Qualifying victories suddenly did not turn into a poor side. Efe has placed his faith in youth, attracting several promising young talents to the Tigers colours, and signing striker Nik Popovich from Olympic to fill the Gulevski-sized gap up top. A new look team then, and one that might take time to gel, but when it does expect the Tigers to show their claws once more.
In: Samson CARR (Monaro Panthers), Jack ELLWOOD (Monaro Panthers), Nick GRANDY (Monaro Panthers), Archie MCGREGOR (Monaro Panthers), Josh MILICEVIC (Central Coast Mariners), Kristian NEL (West Canberra Wanderers), Ibrahim OBEID (West Canberra Wanderers), Alessandro PENA (Gungahlin United), Angus PITKIN (Monaro Panthers), Nik POPOVICH (Canberra Olympic), Joshua PRIOR (Gungahlin United), Jack ROWLEY (Gungahlin United), Michael SOUTHAM (Belconnen United), Angus WALES (Tuggeranong United), Hamish WALES (Tuggeranong United)
Out: Riley ANGELOSANTE (White Eagles), Julian BORGNA (Sabbatical), Hayden BROSNAN (Gungahlin United), Ryann GULEVSI (Sabbatical), Bruno HERRERA (Queanbeyan City), Heath ILLITCH (Gungahlin United), Ed MCCARTHY (Tuggeranong United), Aidan MILBURN (Sabbatical), Ton NGUYEN (Belconnen United), Matt PURCELL (Belconnen United), Tom ROBERTSON (Monaro Panthers), Kyle SENIOR (Albion Park White Eagles), Kobi YARIYARI (O’Connor Knights)
TUGGERANONG UNITED
Ground: Kambah 2
Head Coach: Mitch Stevens
2023 League Placing: 7th
Finals: Did Not Qualify
Australia Cup Qualifying: 4th Round
Survival was the name of the game for Tuggeranong United in the 2023 season and, with that objective very much secured thanks to an outstanding head-to-head record against relegated West Canberra Wanderers, and the ability to snaffle points elsewhere, the focus might switch to loftier goals for 2024. Head Coach Mitch Stevens is a shrewd operator and has been trawling the transfer market in an attempt to add quality to his squad in the areas that he has identified as need of improvement. The signature of goalkeeper Nick Hartnett from Adamstown Rosebuds looks to be promising, as is the introduction to Tuggeranong colours for Brett Foxall from Western NSW and Daniel Grove, the latter a composed player who can operate in a number of positions as showcased with the Wanderers. Matt King comes into the squad from overseas, and there is the intriguing prospect of seeing Mongolian international star Davaadelger Oktyabri and how he transfers his talent onto the local stage. As ever, Tuggeranong will be hard to beat both at home and away but will need to be at their very best to push the more-fancied teams and steal a spot in the top four. Staying up is the primary aim, as it is for every team, but there is scope for more for the men from the South.
In: Callum COOK (White Eagles), Nicholas EMANUEL (Lake Macquarie), Bevan FOXALL (Poulton FC, UK), Daniel GROVE (West Canberra Wanderers), Nick HARTNETT (Adamstown Rosebud), Matt KING (Overseas), Zac LAWRENCE (White Eagles), Jack LEVERETT (Canberra Croatia), Edward MCCARTHY (Tigers FC), Davaadelger OKTYABRI (Mongolia), Matt WILLIAMS
Out: Joaquin ABOT (Overseas), Jacob AYUEL (Brindabella Blues), James BENIVENTO (Queanbeyan City), Frazer BURNS (Canberra Juventus), Martin DENG (Interstate), Rocco DI PLACIDO (Monaro Panthers), Cameron DOHERTY (Retired), Johnny HAJDU (Canberra Croatia), Daniel HEARLE (Retired), Isaac HINES, Clancy HISLOP, Tarisayi MBOGO (Monaro Panthers), Lewis MCKINNEY (Interstate), Isaac OSBORNE (Interstate), Peter PHILLIPPA (Canberra Juventus), Mark RICHARDS (Overseas), Adam STEVENS (O’Connor Knights), Max TRUSHELL (Canberra Croatia), Angus WALES (Tigers FC), Hamish WALES (Tigers FC), Herbert YEUNG (Injured)
YOOGALI SC
Ground: Solar Mad Stadium
Head Coach: Luke Santolin
2023 League Placing: 1st (CPL)
Finals: Winners CPL Grand Final
Australia Cup Qualifying: 4th Round
Promotion secured and a place amongst the NPL elite for 2024 was the goal for Yoogali when the 2023 campaign began and, twelve months later, here they are set for a maiden campaign at the top level of the local game. What we might expect from the lads from Griffith is harder to explore. What we do know is that any team making the four-and-a-half hours trip interstate to face Yoogali will be welcomed with amazing hospitality off the pitch, and a right old ding-dong on it. Unbeaten at fortress Solar Mad during their triumphant surge up the Capital Premier League table, Yoogali are a different beast in front of their own fans. How they manage the interstate trek every second week or so to the Capital for a match against the best teams in the region will go a long way to defining their final league placing when all the points have been calculated in September. Led by the Scottish firebrand that is Darren Bailey, who is also assistant to Head Coach Luke Santolin, Yoogali play an expansive, direct, method of football utilising the creativity of their midfield and the pace provided out wide in support of Joe Preece, the goalscoring maestro up front. A welcome addition to the top echelon, Yoogali will be entertaining, and should have the capacity to collate some memorable victories along the way.
In: Gilles DAMS EELEN (Overseas), Axel GARBIN (Overseas), Ryan ZANATTA (Monaro Panthers)
Out: Reuben DONADEL (University)
*Team In and Out are subject to confirmation and are compiled utilising the player’s club from 2023. If there is no destination next to the players name, their club or whereabouts for 2024 are unknown.
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