Photo: Mark Avellino
With the State League One season commencing this week and potential promotion to the NPL2 on the line, we run the rule over the 12 contenders in the North-West conference for season 2017.
Altona Magic
The Reigning Champions will commence the campaign as strong favourites to retain their title after a strong recruitment drive over the summer. 2013 VPL Coach of the Year Goran Lozanovski replaced the outgoing Vlado Tortevski with the signing of Hume City midfielder Joseph Franjic a strong signal of intent from the former five-time state champions. Former Northcote captain Greg Lombardo, Argentine Facundo Alcacer, Sierra Leone-born Amadu Koroma, German Tobias Haegele and goalkeeper Michael Stark are other notable additions. Forward Klim Dimitrieski makes the switch from rivals Preston and joins a star-studded frontline which includes Scot Jon McShane, Adamson Ajayi, Ben Clarke, Nikola Markovski and Jason Hayne. Ex Zebras man Jonathan Munoz returns, as does defender John Stojcevski following a spell in the U.S. with the Magic worthy title favourites on paper.
Preston Lions
Last season’s runners-up have made strides on and off the field in recent years, most notably improving their financial situation which at one stage threatened the club’s very existence. Veterans Tony Sterjovski and Pece Siveski have left while Dimitrieski’s move to Altona is a big blow. Nevertheless Zeljko Popovic has recruited well brining in Clifton Hill marksman Chris Davies, with the Welshman joined at BT Connor Reserve by English pair Scott Dixon and Josh Stadnicki – the former arriving from Banyule. Former Green Gully winger Anthony Ragusa, Murray United’s Tom Morrison, ex-Werribee goalkeeper Anthony Saric and Angel Taravillo (Westgate) are other notable additions, while goalscorer Michael Disasi returns from Bulleen. Keep an eye out for the likes of Lindberg, Iuliano, Turer, Micevski. A top four finish is likely but don’t be surprised if the Lions build on last year’s second placed finish.
North Sunshine Eagles
North Sunshine Eagles finished third last year behind Altona and Preston and the squad has been bolstered for 2017 with some key additions. The big one in the backline is Shane Rexhepi, the former Hume City and Dandenong Thunder man will be an immediate fan favourite at Larissa Reserve. Youngster Lewis Shannon returns after a short stint at Green Gully and will be reunited with strike partner and 2016 State League One Golden Boot winner Diellon Memishi and new signing, former North Geelong man Reardo Luka. The Trbuhovic brothers are also there as Arben Isai’s outfit look to make a big tilt for the top.
Banyule City
Finishing fourth last season, the often unheralded Banyule – having been promoted from State League 2 in 2015 – will have Nick Georgakopoulos at the helm and have shown 2017 can be a big campaign by knocking off NPL2 outfit Whittlesea Ranges in the FFA Cup. There’s a fair amount of familiarity to the squad, with the likes of Jonjo Ohara (ex-Bradford City), Alex McQuade (ex-Bolton and Banyule’s Player of the Year), Carel Tiofeck, Garbhan Grant, Chris Lester, Alex Tsemilis, Tom Andrews, Troy Pennycooke-Morgan and Hector Moreira Guerra. Ex-Northcote man Nasr Said is also a familiar face to those who follow the NPL. Will be without the services of Scott Dixon.
Sydenham Park
Alex Cobo is at the helm of Sydenham Park who finished a credible fifth last year and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Keep and eye out for the likes of Danny Barakat (ex-Preston), Danillo Bonilla-Ospina (ex-Zebras), Koce and Kole Delev (the brothers won VPL titles with Altona Magic), Vlad Khamees (ex-Pascoe Vale), goalkeeper Anthony Loncaric (ex-St Albans), Mile Ristov (ex-Whittlesea). Former Avondale man Jungho Kim took out the league’s best and fairest last year.
Westgate FC
Westgate Sindjelic, founded in 1985 as Royal Richmond, have been in SL1 since the 2014 introduction of the NPL system having previously been in SL2. The popular Bentleigh Greens 20s coach Kevin ‘Squizzy’ Taylor takes over Westgate in 2017. Some notable names amongst the squad include Sasa Opacic (ex-Western Suburbs), Paul Tona, Jovan Durkic, Milan Savic and Slobodan Bubulj (both ex-Werribee City), while Bobby Pejkovic is an ex-Kingston goalkeeper. Will look to build on last season’s credible mid-table, sixth place finish.
Western Suburbs
Founded in 1965 by Greek immigrants, Western Suburbs are known as the former home of Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. After a mid-table finish in 2016, Terry Antoniadis returns to the club having led Western Suburbs to a 2015 SL Championship. Dan Gathercole (ex-Nunawading), Mason Interlandi (ex-Brunswick GK), George Markelis (ex-Brunswick), Oner Kucuk (ex-Gully 20s) and main goalscorer Deang Aguek are retained and have NPL experience to some extent. Still in the FFA Cup after defeating Westgate in Round 4.
Keilor Park
The club founded by Austrian migrants celebrate their 60th anniversary this year. Paul Falzon is at the helm of the outfit which finished eighth last campaign but has strengthened with some known faces from the NPL and state leagues. Striker Joel Nikolic makes the move from Moreland Zebras, Aaron Ward from Green Gully, and Altona East duo Josh Martignago and Damir Marusic also join the side. Dean Campelj (ex-Avondale), Steve Cudrig and Ryan Filipovic (both ex-Werribee) are other notable Keillor park signings. Liam Brian and Liam Francis (both ex-Moreland City), and David Prosia are some of the players to watch. Brazilian defender Junior Irineu Mota (Bendigo City), long-time midfield servant Sean Sacco (Moreland City) and Cameron Davies (Werribee City) made the move to NPL2 over the off-season.
Yarraville Glory
A former home of John Anastasiadis, Yarraville will be led by Tony Merakis, who is Charlie Egan’s replacement. His men will look to avoid the struggles of 2016, having finished ninth though well clear of relegation ultimately after finishing runner-up to Banyule City in State League 2 North-West in 2015. Notable names at the club include Nick Argyrakakis (ex-Nunawading), Anil Muhamerovic (ex-Werribee), Japanese midfielder Kazuki Okada (ex-Box Hill), Tommi Tomich (ex-Perth Glory goalkeeper), who will be some of the key players throughout 2017. Darcy Den Ouden is one departure having moved on to Werribee City in NPL2.
Altona East Phoenix
PAOK came third-last in 2016 and avoided relegation, but their time in SL1 has been tough. The 2001 and 2002 VPL finalists, who have previously been coach by Chris Taylor and Dom Barba, were recently defeated 4-0 by Preston in the FFA Cup so signs aren’t looking great early but it’s a long campaign. Alan Vella is the new head coach of the club which has relayed their pitch and improved fencing around Paisley Park. The side may look to Goran Jozeljic (ex-St Albans), Burakhan Koca (ex-NGW), Tristan Romein (ex-Ballarat).
Geelong SC
Fabrizio Soncin leads the ambitious outfit which took out SL2 promotion last year but has had considerable turnover in 2017. George Slefendorfas is a big in from Whittlesea Ranges and has brought over fellow Papua New Guinea international Michael Foster, while Harry Hillary also comes across the Tasman. Slave Bozinovski, Altona Magic’s 2016 SL1 champion arrives alongside Scott Robson. Also coming is a new goalkeeper in former Woolongong Wolves man Daniel Collison and former Hoppers Crossing man Nikola Srbinovski. Some considerable outs include coach Steve Laurie, Sean McIlroy (Kingston City), Barry Devlin (Sunshine George Cross), Tom Matthews (Oakleigh Cannons) and Nick Kalmar (Dandenong City) all plying their trade in NPL2 and NPL.
Essendon Royals
A decade since the Royals’ VPL relegation, former Socceroo and loyal Essendon man Michael Curcija remains at the helm and will be looking to help the promoted club through SL1, though a 2-6 defeat to North Sunshine in the FFA Cup shows there’s plenty of work to do. Strike pair Luca Simeoni (Italy), and Ryan McEvoy (Ireland) look unlikely to return, but Brandon Gonano (ex-Bulleen), Danny Federico (Murray United), Dushan Nikolic (ex-Springvale), Denny Sadik (ex-Sunshine, Brunswick) are some of the new names looking to help the promoted outfit. Alastair Dunlop and Frazer McKinlay, some of last year’s best, remain at Essendon.