State League Mens 2018 Season Preview

Round one of any competition comes with excitement and this year’s edition of the State League Men’s competition is no different, it comes with new hopes, new dreams and as a bonus new teams including South Coast Flame and Central Coast United.

With the competition now expanded to twelve teams we will now be in for a full home and away season. Which means we are in for a thrilling even possibly more fulfilling ride over the forthcoming campaign.

Bankstown United vs Hurstville FC (Match of the round)

It was a season to remember for Bankstown United, they finished top of the regular season ladder and were narrowly denied on the big day last season. The grand final was the only lowlight and we can be sure United want to keep their high standards going and maybe even go one better this season.

Recruitment wise, it has been about strengthening the whole. Head coach Claudio Canosa has signed several new players across the board and is excited by the amount of competition for each position. A blow has occurred however in losing key striker Tom Markovski. However, if the pre-season is a sign of things to come for the club, they will be well up there again hunting for the elusive promotion.

If a team finishes with five wins on the bounce towards the end of the season, you would expect a deep run into the finals. Unfortunately for Hurstville FC though, luck ran out when it mattered going out to Nepean in the minor semifinal. This season however it’s a new start in every sense.

The majority of the squad has left meaning it’s been a tough pre-season recruiting. They will come into the competition with an average age of 21 or thereabouts. With that being the case they will be relying on experienced Paul Gagro and Dario Borovickic to help take some decent preseason results into the real stuff. Under no illusions it’s about building beyond for John Gagro and his team looking for a mid-table finish who face a tough start first up.

UNSW FC v Hurstville City Minotaurs

UNSW FC showed glimpses of what they could do last season.

An impressive eight game winning streak in the middle of the season was a highlight of their 2017 campaign.

Unfortunately, they didn’t start nor finish well and finished agonizingly short of a finals spot. The University based side will be hopeful to improve on their consistency this campaign.

In terms of recruitment they have put an emphasis on complementing what they’ve had. The club are most excited though by the return of Nima Beik who scored 10 goals and 7 assists in 11 appearances. Elsewhere Marcus Naoum returns after stints in the NPL 3 as well as Chaichote Panasampon and Bede Leyland step up from their tittle winning 20’s side. Expect these guys to be up there in the club championship come August.

The Minotaurs will be looking to go one step further this season. Having been knocking on the finals door all season, they weren’t able to blow a stubborn finals door down with circumstances not necessarily in their control letting them down at crucial moments.

However, a new campaign and you probably couldn’t ask for a more experienced coach to lead the team in Peter Sarikakas. “The general” believes his side is strong enough to compete for a top 4 position this campaign and all his asking for is the team to give their all. In terms of that team, the defense will be based around the experienced Lorenzo Fatica and their attack on Dimitri Zakilas. Don’t be surprised if anyone else shines with plenty of high profile players coming through this historic club.

Western Condors v Wagga City Wanderers

It’s time for a rebuild at the Western Condors. With the club spiraling in terms of results as of recent seasons which saw them finishing a disappointing eighth in the 2017 season, the club have brought back Barry Zambrano to take the helm.

The squad has undergone a heavy rotation, having been built up from scratch. Not giving away too much in terms of key players, Zambrano put an emphasis on building a team. Looking ahead immediate fireworks aren’t expected, the long-term goal is of course to climb the ladder and restore the club to former glories. In the meantime, finals would be a “great result”.

It’s a tough life being isolated in this competition. Despite flying out of the blocks last season, the wagga city wanderers ran out of puff halfway through the season. For new head coach Ross Morgan, it’s about making changes in response to those lessons and making sure they are a handful for every opposition after the club has undergone a mini revamp of sorts.

In terms of players to watch out for, the club are excited about the arrival of Brad Fangas who has come in from Wycliffe Wanderers. Fangas will provide a physical presence in the midfield and along with Damion Patterson who comes in from North Carolina to play in the defense, they will be aiming to be more consistent than ever.

Prospect United v Nepean FC

2017 was a rebuilding year for Prospect United, the club had a full cleanout before the season started with 19 new players coming in. However, the club were still disappointed to fall short of the finals with results such as draws to FC Gazy and a loss to the condors costing them dearly.

This pre-season has been a quieter one for the club though. With coach Darren Camilleri opting to consolidate on last season’s squad. Opting to bring in cover in both defensive and midfield positions with two players for every position. So, if you’re reading this prospect players, no one is safe. The club are in no allusions and are prepared to fight one game at a time, it’s a case of wait and see…

Nepean FC were by far the most improved side of the last campaign. The team at the foot of the mountains came up with a very respectable third place finish after finishing dead last in 2016. They will come into this season as one of the favourites after narrowly missing out against Camden in last year’s semis.

It will be the second season under the reign of Magdy Andrawes for the club. They will be looking to continue on hopefully with less injuries this campaign particularly to key players like Clement Waoci who at his best can take on anyone. The gaffer is keen to keep the club on the ground though emphasizing a week by week outlook and seeing where that takes them.

Central Coast United v Balmain Tigers

There has been a missing presence on the Central Coast for a few years now, sure you have the Mariners but what happens when they get a little bit older?

Central Coast have taken their time in fielding a senior team after first opting to establish youth teams through an academy at Soccer 5’s on the coast.

They will come into the season as ones of the favourites to go up immediately after being accepted into the competition last September.

In terms of the squad it’s a local first approach, doesn’t matter what age just where you’re from. The players have been together for a while now with preseason starting last October. The team will be led by former Mariner Daniel Macfarlane who has also had spells abroad as well as locally. You can just sense a confidence around the club, this team will be tough to beat – one another player to watch out for will be former NPL attacker James Monie.

Last season was one to forget for the Balmain Tigers. In their own words mistakes were made and unfortunately for them they rejoin us in the state league. So, there is a heavy emphasis around the club to be smarter and new coach Joe De Gullo is determined to see the club bounce straight back to NPL3 with a large youthful squad.

With the youth focused approach, they have recruited a number of players who have dropped down a few divisions. Johnathan Kontalis from St George FC is the stand out pick up, Kontalis played 23 games for St George and is bound to be a creative threat for Balmain. Another noteworthy pickup is Anthony Barca who joins former team mate Kontalis and become a deadly duo.

FC Gazy Auburn v South Coast Flame FC WASHED OUT

The great escape Men’s State League edition ensured that FC Gazy Auburn avoided the wooden spoon on the last day.

It was a rare highlight for FC Gazy who otherwise had a season to forget. On the bright side, the only way is up right?

So, what do you do after such a season? For FC Gazy it’s been a very hard pre-season, results are more promising and the mood around the club has improved. In terms of the squad, it’s fair to say there will plenty of new faces with some necessary recruitment done in the off season. Ultimately, it’s a wait and see situation for when the real stuff kicks in, the minimum expectation? A better finish than last year.

The South Coast Flame are the second of two new clubs coming into the State League this season. Their aim? To give players and coaches down in the Illawarra a chance they otherwise wouldn’t have had. So, expect a team which has gelled together quicker than expected under the leadership of Paul Robaard.

In terms of players to watch, Robaard has singled out Bojan Caric and Matt Mazevski. He describes Caric as smart in the box able to read the play well and Mazevski can be expected to pull the strings of the team as a “very creative force”.

Robaard also singled out Caleb Grace saying, “I didn’t expect him to be near the first team but so far his shown me he can not only be a starter but can be vital in influencing games”.

You’d imagine the Flames will be tough to beat at home so let’s see what they can do away.

-By Justin Smith