State League Division One Round 1 Preview

Within the teams you will find some new faces, some old faces, and some faces that have changed colours, all ready to get off on the right foot as Round One kicks off this coming weekend.
Three matches kick off on Saturday evening at 7-00pm, whilst the balance of the round will wait until Sunday afternoon at 3-00pm before baptizing the new season in front of some eagerly awaiting fans.
One of the season?s early favourites, Stanmore Hawks host Southern Bulls at Arlington Oval, hoping to set an early benchmark for other teams to follow.
George Paradisis took over at the helm during the latter part of 2011 to steer the Hawks to safety, and has bolstered his squad considerably in order to put Stanmore back up near the top end of the ladder.
The attack is ominous, to say the least, with Nick Paradisis and Neil Philippou joined by the evergreen Steve Biviano, all three being proven goalscorers at this level and names that would put fear into most defensive structures.
Skipper David James will be supported by the much traveled Con Paradisis in the midfield, whilst the club?s biggest coup is arguably Bill Tsanidis, the central defender moving from Premier League champions, Sydney Olympic, to bolster the backline.
Southern Bulls, newly formed merger between Fairfield Bulls and Southern Districts Ass, will prove no pushovers, given their stubborn reputation following their strong performances of 2011.
Rafid Hirmiz and Sargon Georges will once again terrorize opposition backlines in 2012, and new signings Devrim Huseyin (from Inter Lions) and Domenic Mercuri (from Mt Druitt) add much needed composure to the team?s defence.
Balmain SC return to their old hunting ground, Lambert Park, for 2012, and they open proceedings with a clash against newly promoted Northbridge FC.
Having spent a couple of seasons stabilizing, Balmain SC have built a foundation to work from and are confident of a better showing this year.
The prodigal son, Tommy Snowden, has returned after a sojourn in Super League, whilst Liam Cole ? brother of Sydney FC?s Shannon ? will add some consistency after transferring from Inter Lions.
Robbie Bruno provides some steel in the midfield, Vincent Leto will look to build on his inaugural initial season in 2011, and Dan Conway returns as skipper and is a formidable obstacle between the sticks.
The ace in the Balmain pack will continue to be the diminutive Johnny Buonavoglia, with ?jockey?s? class still a sight to see at this level of the game.
Northbridge FC will be keen to make an immediate impact following their elevation from Division Two.
Daniel Findlay ? a new signing from Spirit FC ? will give the team some speed on the flanks, and they?ll be hoping replicate their Waratah Cup exploits last year, and even go beyond Round Four where they were eliminated by Premier League side, Blacktown Spartans, after putting up a great fight.
Arguably the match of the opening round takes place at Popondetta Park on Saturday, as Mt Druitt Town Rangers entertain Camden Tigers.
Mt Druitt would have been disappointed to lose the Division?s top goalscorer, Shiyar Cakal, to Super League Mounties Wanderers, but have more than compensated with a wealth of new signings looking to take the Rangers to the summit of the league.
Glenn McPherson and Todd Macrae are proven goalscorers in this Division, and have joined the Rangers from Blacktown Spartans, along with Michael Todd.
Young Futsalroo, Daniel Fogarty, will prove a menace with his speed, whilst Nathan Ralph returns once more to provide some stubbornness in the middle of the park.
Experienced Hugh McCrory will hold the reins as coach as he hopes to steer the Rangers to success in 2012 by gaining promotion.
Camden Tigers are always a formidable opponent, and have a history of starting the season on a good note. Dean and Grant MacKechnie will once again prove catalysts for the Tigers in 2012, whilst Daniel Semaan and Adam Smutek are known goal poachers and will be ready to pounce on any defensive slip ups from the Mt Druitt defence.
Schofields Scorpions FC will welcome the visit of Hurstville ZFC at CSI Sport Ground on Sunday, a ground that has in the past proved a difficult place for opposition teams to come away from with anything.
The Scorpions have lost nippy striker, Justin Kirby, but are hoping to regroup and start 2012 on a positive note following a disappointing 2011 season by their own standards.
Hurstville ZFC have been loitering near the base of the Division One ladder for a couple of seasons now, but big game players Steve Zoric, Stiven Kostanic and Paul Gagro return in 2012 in the hope of guiding them towards success.
The fans of Fairfield City Lions will be out in force as their team play host to UNSW at Norford Park No.2 on Sunday afternoon.
The Lions have been the ?entertainers? in recent seasons, their throw ?caution to the wind? style of play seeing them concede just as many goals as they score.
One of the Division?s most influential players, Yavuz Ekinci, will be back to lead the Lions around the park, whilst speedy goal poacher, Ben Cronk, returns to head up the attack.
UNSW have a solid playing roster, including Andrew Harb, Patty Lloyd and Michael Janov in defence, and Rocky Luca, Henry Kamleitner and Sebastian Bendall in attack, and will be hoping to at the very least, replicate their 2011 semi final position by kicking off with all three points on Sunday.
2011 Grand Finalists, Gladesville Ryde Magic, make the trip to the Crest Complex to take on Inter Lions in what is shaping as an interesting first round clash on Sunday afternoon.
A broom of sorts has gone through Inter Lions in the off season, with Rafael Bove, Anthony Ucchino, Devrim Huseyin and Nick Ruoco amongst a host of players to move on.
Ben Ellis returns for another season in the midfield, whilst the Dimento brothers ? Jacob and Domenic ? are back and will prove to be major forces in the Lions hopes of eliminating the memory of a terrible showing in 2011.
The Magic had a fantastic finish to 2011, losing the Grand Final decider to Mounties in what was an honourable achievement for the club.
Many of their star players from last season are back to show their wares once again with evergreen goalkeeper, Kiriakos Tohouroglou, leading his charges from the back, Alan Ryan once again will no doubt do the hard yards across the middle of the park, whilst the McKie brothers will head up the side in attack.
-By Frank Speranza