A new National Premier League campaign begins this weekend in the Nation’s Capital with four matches set to the sow the seeds for the forthcoming 2023 season, an early chance for the elite men’s clubs to lay down a marker ahead of a gruelling 21-match journey to potential silverware.
The affectionately named ‘Cevapi Derby’ kicks off the first round when O’Connor Knights roll out the welcome mat for their near neighbours Canberra Croatia in what proved to be one of the highlights of the 2022 season.
The noise, colour, and sense of occasion was evident both times these teams clashed last term and the promise of this, and much more, is highly anticipated ahead of what will no doubt be an entertaining clash to kick-start the NPL action.
There have been a raft of changes in both teams set-up for the new year, the Knights having transplanted the entirety of the West Canberra Wanderers back four to help alleviate their main issue of 2022, the concession of too many goals, a decision which should see them tighten up considerably.
Further forward they have bolstered the ranks with the inclusion of Aisosa Ihegie from Canberra Olympic and he will add even more pace to an already frighteningly quick attacking quintet.
Croatia will head into the match minus one of their main attacking threats, Stephen Domenici missing the season opener due to suspension carrying over from the last campaign, but might see a debut Lukman Ahmed-Shaibu, the latter signed from Sutherland Sharks. Already the Champions have shown though that in their young tyros they have more than ready replacements.
Knights won one of three when these teams met in 2022 and will be out to claim derby honours, whilst the League Champions know that they will need to ride the wave of passion and emotion to emerge triumphant.
Canberra Olympic begin their NPL season by welcoming West Canberra Wanderers to the unfamiliar surroundings of Greenway Enclosed, a home match switched to the Southside venue where Olympic knocked Tuggeranong United out of the Australia Cup Qualifying competition.
There will be new names aplenty in the Olympic set-up as well, with the likelihood that star striker Thomas James will be making a debut for those in blue, forming a potentially lethal attacking trio alongside Nik Popovich and the dynamic Luca Florez.
Alen James will probably pull, the strings from deep, with Olympic keen to hit the ground running and improve on their 5th place finish of 2022, a position that saw them just edged out of Finals football by the Knights.
West Canberra Wanderers have a new-look eleven themselves, partly out of necessity having seen many of their first-choice players leave in the off-season, and yet they have put together an exciting young team full of exuberance and vigour.
The midfield pairing of Angus Bailey and Riley Brown, the latter signed from Belconnen United, looks to be energetic and potent, whilst the addition of Nick Roufagalis at the top end looks like it might provide plenty of goals, his double inside fifteen minutes of the Cup win over Gungahlin Juventus underlining his ability.
The Battle of the Big Cats completes Saturday’s offering, as the Grand Final winners Monaro Panthers play host to Tigers FC at the Riverside Stadium in the early evening kick-off. Panthers, who won three trophies last season, enter the new campaign under new leadership and with a raft of new players.
Their progress in the cup has been steady, if not spectacular, the signing of Roko Strika the headline act of the off-season from the team over the border in Queanbeyan. His role within the Panthers set-up remains to be seen, but undoubtedly Strika will have a huge say o the outcome of this match.
Tigers come into the game off the back of the disappointment of being knocked out of Australia Cup Qualifying by Canberra Croatia, and with a side that is itself rammed with new players including former Panthers quartet Amilio Kista, Nikos Kalfas, Kyle Senior, and Tom Robertson.
Whilst Tigers have made a pile of new signings, it might take them a while to settle, but when they do they will be a real force to be reckoned with. Panthers’ fans will be hoping its not this match which has football fans in the Capital in a real sense of anticipation as to the eventual outcome.
The first round concludes on Sunday as Tuggeranong United are at home to Gungahlin United at Kambah 2, the newly promoted Tuggeranong hosting a team that made the preliminary Final in 2022, which should be an early test of their credentials as they return to the top level from a season in the Capital Premier League.
Tuggeranong are generally very good at home, especially against Gungahlin, indeed Gunners haven’t won an away match against Tuggeranong United since Round 18 in 2015, in the six matches played since, United have won five and drawn one, hints perhaps of a successful Round 1?
Gunners though have a potent attacking threat with new signing Maxx Green the go-to, underlying his abilities with a brace on his competitive debut against O’Connor Knights in the cup.
Tuggeranong showed great commitment with a young side in their narrow loss to Olympic, but will be reliant on turning possession into opportunities and need their attacking triumvirate led by Sam Walker. Kambah 2 is usually a hive of noise, and the home side will hope for a good turnout to see them over the line this week.
FIXTURES
Saturday 1 April
Canberra Olympic v West Canberra Wanderers (Greenway Enclosed, 15:00)
O’Connor Knights v Canberra Croatia (O’Connor Enclosed, 15:00)
Monaro Panthers v Tigers FC (Riverside Stadium, 17:45)
Sunday 2 April
Tuggeranong United v Gungahlin United (Kambah 2, 15:00)
