2009 TeleChoice Premier League mid-season review

With 10-points separating fourth from tenth on the League ladder, the second part of the season promises to provide fireworks as all sides will hope to be around come the finals series.
Let?s take a look at each of the TeleChoice Premier League sides? run thus far in 2009.
Sydney United ? A+ – Sydney United has put their best foot forward in 2009 in a bid to put an end to their lean spell in-terms of silverware in recent times. Ante Milicic?s return to the club ? as player/coach ? has proven an immediate success as the Reds have carved through their opposition in style, running through the first eleven Rounds with only one loss arriving in the Round 11 clash with Manly United FC.
The Reds defence has stood strong with Joe Vrkic marshalling the back-line in-front of an always impressive shot-stopper Vedran Janjetovic. In the middle of the park, Glen Trifiro has been a real find for Milicic, as his performances have certainly raised the intensity for the Edensor Park side. In the attacking third, with names such as David Zdrilic, Elsid Barkhousir, Luka Glavas and Milicic, it is of no surprise the side is out in-front at the halfway stage.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 8 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss
Manly United FC ? A ? Manly United FC?s season is looking the goods as Phil Moss? men have worked remarkably well to seal second-spot on the ladder at the halfway stage. A somewhat inconsistent start to the campaign seems almost forgotten as the side from Cromer Park has strung together a strong run with important results ? none bigger than the Round 11 defeat of Sydney United ? which has the side in a perfect position to improve on last season?s finals series finish.
The most remarkable achievement of Moss & Co. has been the side?s ability to finish the first-half of the season in second-spot, despite playing most of their matches without the likes of Robbie Cattanach and Craig Midgley ? both men dogged by injury. Giosue Sama has taken on the responsibilities as target-man, meanwhile the impressive arrival of Joey Gibbs ? along with the tireless work of Scott Thomas out of midfield ? puts the side in a promising position for success this season. In defence, the arrival of Matthew Bingley has really complimented Spencer Prior in the centre of defence; Manly United FC arguably one of the most difficult side for adversaries to break down.

Results record as of halfway stage ? 6 wins, 4 draws, 1 loss
Marconi Stallions ? A ? Former NSL giant Marconi Stallions has also gone off the boil in-terms of winning silverware in recent years, though coach Lee Sterrey has certainly brought about a strong footballing mentality in his return to the club in 2009. Much is always expected from Marconi, though an inconsistent start has been corrected with some fine displays over the past month. All eyes have been on the Stallions import trio of Ali Al-Hilfi, Kader Toure and Vamara Diarra, and rightly so, as these players have undoubtedly made an impact upon their arrival. Their speed, skill and composure on the ball has Stallions supporters? hopes high of a return to winning titles, meanwhile the hardworking Nahuel Arrarte has made the introduction of the new boys a smooth transition.
Sterrey has a strong defensive line led by Vuko Tomasevic, meanwhile Italian import Andrea Merenda adds a mountain of experience in the defensive third in-front of an equally impressive James Chronopoulos in the Stallions goal.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 6 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses
Sutherland Sharks ? B+ ? Last season?s beaten grand-finalist, Sutherland Sharks, complete the Top-Four placings at the midway stage after a strong finish to the first-round of the season. The Sharks suffered in the early part of the campaign after losing explosive players Pedj Bojic and Brendan Gan from last season ? along with coach Brian Brown ? from last season, though new boss Robbie Stanton has instilled the confidence in his group to ensure the side will challenge this season.
George Souris is the ever mister reliable in defence, meanwhile Panny Nikas and Jim Bakis have been immense out of midfield for strikers Matthew Hall and Brad Boardman. The side will be further bolstered in the second-half of the season with the return of Nick Stavroulakis following his long absence through injury, meanwhile the flood gates have opened for Boardman in the attacking third following a frustrating start to the season in-front of goal for the burly striker.

Results record as of halfway stage ? 6 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses
Bankstown City ? B ? Last season?s Tiger Turf Cup winners have encountered an indifferent first part of the 2009 season as poor finishing ? a trait of last season?s side ? has reared its ugly head again. The Lions passing game is without a doubt one of the best to watch in this competition, though a failure to find the back of the net has cost the side thus far. Peter Tsekenis has introduced the likes of speedy striker Hussein Salameh, along with Hussein Akil and Suad Ameti to good cause, though a long list of longer term injuries to key men George Nohra, Phillip Makrys and Robbie Mileski has made the Lions? task all the more difficult.
Defensively the side has been sound, though lapses in the early rounds cost the side points, even at the normally daunting Jensen Park for adversaries.
The 4-2 Round 11 defeat of Blacktown City Demons will elevate confidence levels across the park, and perhaps act as a ?launching pad? for an assault on finals series football later on in the season.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 4 wins, 3 draws, 4 losses
Sydney Olympic ? B – ? Sydney Olympic was the favourite, at least for the neutral supporter, heading into the season, though some woeful defending sees the side sit in sixth-spot at the halfway point. Matthew Mayora and Tolgay Ozbey have kept to their job description netting consistently for the Blues, though the rearguard has failed to deliver. The Blues conceded twenty-four goals from their opening eleven matches, two goals more than they have scored. New boss Nick Theodorakopoulos filled the void left by Aytek Genc, and although the side has started to produce results, there has been a lack of consistency ? testament to the side?s sixth-spot on the ladder.
Defeats of Bankstown City and Manly United FC prove the side is capable of a charge towards the title, though the cracks in the defensive third must be addressed if the side is to pose a threat for the finals football.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 5 wins, 0 draws, 6 losses
Sydney Tigers ? B – ? Sydney Tigers too started the season with much expectation surrounding the side. A fine run in pre-season friendly matches had hopes high amongst the supporters, though results were not so forthcoming following the opening round defeat of Bonnyrigg White Eagles. The Tigers and coach Paul Okon parted ways prior to the conclusion of the former Socceroo Captain?s short-term deal with the Tigers, with the side languishing in the bottom places on the ladder. New coach Luke McGuire brought a new lease of life to the club and a first up win against Bankstown City seemed to turn the side?s fortunes around. Unfortunately for the side, inconsistent results have proven their undoing, and their seventh-spot placing ? although not disastrous ? does provide the side with a lot of work to do in the second part of the season if they are to challenge for finals football.
Positives for the Tigers surround Franco Parisi?s consistent form, meanwhile strike-partner Robbie Younis is gradually returning to the fine form of season 2008. In midfield one of the most positive performers has been Jason Trifiro; the midfielder has made the most of the chances presented to him, and much is expected of the youngster throughout the remainder of the season.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 4 wins, 1 draws, 6 losses
Blacktown City Demons ? C+ ? Blacktown City Demons? quest to overturn a disastrous 2008 commenced in the worst possible way with consecutive defeats against Sydney United and Marconi Stallions raising question marks over the side?s chances for an improvement on last season. Coach Ken Schembri though, has insisted on his younger players, and the side is making a real go of it in 2009. Sitting in eighth-spot at the halfway stage, the Demons are still within striking distance of finals football, a possibility for the side following their recent performances against highly fancied opposition. Youngster Ray Miller, Joel Chianese and Chris Bedzo have led the charge in attack, meanwhile Luke Casserly?s performances in defence have added confidence to last season?s ?easy beats?. With off-field incidents currently affecting the side?s preparations each weekend, the players have shown great heart in matching their more fancied rivals.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 4 wins, 1 draws, 6 losses
Penrith-Nepean United ? C+ ? Penrith-Nepean United has been arguably one of the most ?annoying? teams for the front-runners. Coach Ian Gillan has assembled a side mixed with youth and experience, and although the side is not at all fancied to challenge for finals football, the players have certainly given themselves every chance to make a fight for finals berth. Father-son duo Evangelos Petratos and Petratos Jnr ? Dimitrios ? have both worked well for the side, meanwhile the experience of Ante Juric in the defensive third has given the side confidence to take on the top teams. Mitchell Long?s running out of midfield has been impressive, as his link-up play with Petratos Snr will be vital to Penrith?s chances of success this season.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 3 wins, 3 draws, 5 losses
Bonnyirgg White Eagles ? C+ ? The promoted Bonnyrigg White Eagles faced a daunting task upon their return to the Premier League, though following a nervous start ? which brought about the departure of coach Blagoja Kuleski ? the side has found some consistency with Brian Brown taking over the reigns. The side sits ten-points outside the Top-Four, though the signs are positive following the defeat of Sutherland Sharks and a good showing in the draw against Sydney United. Midfielder Milorad Simonovic has been immense in the middle of the park, whilst Almir Dizdaric will be called upon to find more goals in the second part of the season; his task to be assisted by the addition of Jay Lucas in the attacking third.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 2 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses
West Sydney Berries ? C ? West Sydney Berries? season commenced like a ?house on fire? following the side?s opening round defeat of stern rivals Sydney Olympics. The side?s results though have been far from convincing following that win, and time is running out for a charge towards finals football. John Calleja?s players have proven capable to challenge their adversaries, though a lack of belief has, at times, proven to be their undoing. Dimitri Zakilas has been the side?s best performer recently, meanwhile experienced campaigners Aheleas Kotsopoulos, Kosta Lagoudakis, John Tsironis and John Fotiadis remain the men with the leadership qualities to lead a Berries charge in the second-half of the season.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 2 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses
Wollongong Community FC ? C- ? Wollongong Community FC?s season was always going to be a struggle following the folding of Wollongong FC in the off-season. Despite a poor run of results, including a coaching change with Tony Pace?s departure after a number of consecutive losses, this Wollongong side has given their all in each match to-date. There won?t be any finals football this season, though supporters of the club will be expecting the side to lift off the bottom of the table in the second part of the season. Experienced players Ilija Prenzoski and Balla Conde remain important to the side, as will new signings James Vaughan ? from England ? and former Wolves? player Lachlan Cahill who returns for an 8-week stint before returning to England League 1 side, Millwall FC.
Coach Glen Fontana will have his work cut out, though the signs of improvement have been constant, following the side?s 0-7 drubbing at the hands of Marconi Stallions in Round 7.
Results record as of halfway stage ? 1 wins, 1 draws, 9 losses

-By Joseph Carlucci