State League 1 Season Preview 2015

Welcome to season 2015, another anticipated one for Football NSW’s State League 1.
There is a new addition in Hills Brumbies who will be chasing the existing pack of contenders including North Shore, Balmain, Granville creating what should be an intriguing race for the championship and premiership. Before a ball is kicked, we have previewed all the teams for your reading pleasure.
North Shore Mariners FC
It was a case of being so close yet so far in 2014 for Northbridge FC, finishing second to eventual premiers Hakoah Sydney East FC. They are competing as North Shore this season and have improved the squad markedly. Coach Jay Haywood admitted he has the best depth in years with the Mariners attracting players in areas that needed recruiting. They signed Liam McKenna from Canterbury and Tadgh Purtell who has played in the Premier Leagues already.
Haywood has promoted several of their u20s winning side to continue their development, rounding out the side which going by the coach, will take each game as it comes “looking for the next win,” and challenging for the club championship and promotion.
Balmain Tigers FC
The Tigers went close in 2014, falling in the preliminary final against North Shore Mariners FC (formerly Northbridge FC) losing 3-1. Their job is staying in the top half of the competition will be tested, as they lost a majority of the first eleven who featured in the finals including Rosatio Ochipinti and Giacomo Di Mento, scorers in their finals games in 2014. Balmain is confident though that the new crop of players will be able to sustain the success although concede it will be a tougher task.
Hawkesbury City SC
It has been an uneventful off season for Hawkesbury, who finished sixth in 2014 just missing out on a finals berth. They have retained most of their squad despite losing over 500 games of experience in the Rob Carle (retired), Paul Cooper (moved interstate) and Mick McCrory (Hakoah). Despite the losses City are pumped for the upcoming season with two local products in Ben Gough and Jason Browne joining their already talented squad.
Their only other change is on the sideline, with Dean Bertenshaw returning to coach the first grade team replacing Hugh McCrory taking control of a settled side that will hope to go the extra step into the finals this season.
Stanmore Hawks
2014 was disappointing for Stanmore who finished in eight position well off the top five. The club has responded to this with a rapid overhaul of their squad for the upcoming season including Thibault Marcel who was their second highest goal-scorer with eight goals, with first eleven mainstays Ashley-Nark Harvey, Andrew Heath and Stephen Stavropoulos also departing.
These guys have been replaced by Sam Awad, Thierry Huet, Steve Liavis and Robbie Mellino from across the leagues. If the Hawks can gel quickly, they will have a sustained challenge for the upper echelon of the table and a much happier 2015.
Nepean FC
Nepean have been quite active in the transfers during the off-season bringing in several new faces in the midfield highlighted by Alessandro Suarez, who has featured in the NPL structures in both NSW and Victoria. He is joined by the Ljuboja brothers – Slaven and Goran, Gradoni, Mancini and Japanese import Kodai Hayashi createing a real “league of nations” in the squad remarked First Grade coach Jason Breton.
These signings combined with the existing members in the squad, has created strength in competition at the foot of the mountains that can only help Nepean finish higher than the ninth they achieved in the previous campaign.
Western NSW Mariners FC
All quiet on the Western front for the Mariners this season, the Bathurst based club has retained a majority of the team who finished just above the relegation places last season with a few new pieces to help their squad. Waratah cup goal scorer Kane Hughes heads the additions with striker Sean Brocklesby and Charlie McDonald Bailey.
The previously mentioned FFA cup win over Doonside plus some positive pre-season results will have coach Andrew Fearnley encouraged for the season ahead.
Gladesville Ryde Magic
Gladesville finished fourth in the regular season last year and were shunted out in the elimination final by Balmain, and have looked to rebuild their squad with a whole swathe of new players coming in as they aim to remain in the division. Club stalwart Kiriakos Tohouroglou who has moved 40+ games in the last two seasons, has moved into a player coach position to extend his experience to a young squad looking to prove themselves.
Dulwich Hill
Seventh was a disappointing finish for Dulwich Hill last season, and coach Norm Tome has worked hard during the off season to rectify the mistakes and launch them further up the ladder. He has brought in eight to ten new faces bedding them in early with a good bunch of pre-season fixtures to get the squad up to speed.
“We are hoping to start well with the ultimate goal of gaining promotion this season,” said Tome enthused by his squad and hopeful for the prospects of his rejuvenated team.
Hills Brumbies
It is a tag team effort in Sydney’s North West, as brothers – Joe and Mark Giovenali have taken over the team and remoulded it in their own shape. They retained only two of the squad who competed in State League 1 last season, taking most of the new members from their local areas Granville and Hornsby with the rest loaded with Premier League experience to help them hit the ground running.
Talking to FootballNSW, Mark Giovenali was cautious and optimistic of the sides chances this season “hoping to do well although it will take time to gel,” but signs have been positive from their pre-season outings thus far.
Rydalmere Lions FC
Newly promoted Rydalmere have refreshed the squad who were all conquering in State League Two last season winning the club championship and their u20s losing the grand final. Tony Basha has been retained as coach with a young squad at his disposal after several players elected to try their luck overseas, a testament to the development at Rydalmere.
Basha is hopeful that the Lions will be competitive in State League One relishing the test of wits against the likes of North Shore Mariners, Balmain and Granville who are in the upper tier of the table consistently.
Granville Rage
The Rage has retained a majority of their squad following their third placed finish last season, and elimination in the semi-finals, while adding some depth to their squad through some class additions from higher leagues. They have added Terry Pannowitz (Nepean FC), Jess Casey (Parramatta FC), Kris Holbrook and Joe Cartisano to their ranks hoping these additions will continue the building process for the Rage and allow them to make a tilt at the title and promotion this season.
Inter Lions
Inter narrowly avoided relegation last season, so with that scare should be a better team this season and remain safe in State League One.
-By Justin Davies