Round 1 Preview – NPL 3 NSW Men’s
After what was a thrilling 2018 season in the NSW National Premier Leagues 3 Men’s competition, we look forward to the upcoming season and all the likely thrills and spills.
This competition continues to deliver the goods.
This season will be no different as we look forward to what is sure to be another captivating season.
After an incredible 2018 campaign which saw St George City FA crowned club champions, we wish them the best of luck as they venture into new territory as they prepare for life in the NSW NPL 2 Men’s competition.
This campaign we will be without Fraser Park FC as they drop down to the Men’s State League after what was a challenging 2018 season for the club.
With many of the same sides still battling out in NPL 3 we welcome two new outfits to the league as a rejuvenated Parramatta FC led by new coach Tony Basha will look to book an instant return to the NSW NPL 2.
Meanwhile, Bankstown United FC have wrestled their way into this year’s competition after securing promotion from the State League on the final match-day last season.
Round One kicks off at 6:30pm on Saturday night with new boys Parramatta FC hosting Dunbar Rovers FC at Melita Stadium.
We welcome new boys Parramatta FC to the league as they look to rebuild and find some consistency after several turbulent years for the club.
Familiar face Tony Basha returns to the competition as technical director for the Eagles while he has brought with him the experienced Spanish coaching duo of Sharaf Ferrando and Angel Dominguez.
With a key change in personnel we will hopefully see a new brand of football being played by Parramatta and look forward to some cracking encounters at Melita Stadium this year.
Last year’s semi finalists Dunbar Rovers welcome back Will Cullen as head coach after he returns from a short spell with Sydney University.
Two key import signings join the club in Irishman Connor Earley and Japanese Jay Takahashi. Both players are expected to set the league alight as they unleash their skills and talent in this year’s competition while expect things from technical midfielder Nick Mouzourakis.
There are a total of five matches scheduled for a 7pm kick off, one being Granville Rage welcoming Hawkesbury City FC to Garside Park.
Granville Rage will be keen to snatch all three points from Hawkesbury in this encounter. After missing out on finals football for the last couple of seasons they will be hoping for better fortunes.
Hawkesbury City will look to build upon last season’s heroics as they look to youth in a bid to bridge the gaps left behind by seasoned veterans Mick McCrory, Prash Sharma and David Gardiner who hung up their boots at the end of last season.
Three players have made the step up to the NSW NPL 2 with Daniel Zahra the notable name on that list after joining Rydalmere FC.
With so many of last year’s big names players leaving the club it will be a testing start to the campaign for Dean Bertenshaw’s side.
Bankstown United FC will kick off their inaugural season in the league with a visit to Ron Dine Stadium on Saturday night as they go head to head with Camden Tigers FC.
Camden will look to make a push for the finals this season after a respectful eight placed finish last campaign. The Tigers have promoted a host of players from their under 20’s side with two new recruits from the Illawarra Premier League, Bradley Durrant and Dayne Morley who made the switch to NPL 3.
Ace striker Jayden Russell will look to build upon his impressive form in front goal after an impressive 2018 campaign which saw him hit the back of the net on 29 occasions.
After late drama on the final matchday of last season, Bankstown United will be raring to go as they prepare for their first season in the NPL 3 competition.
Captain Steven Wright has re-signed with the club for the upcoming campaign while the ever-present Jovan Miladinovic enters his fourth year with the club.
Bankstown United welcome the return of their inaugural first grade captain Andreas Kartsioulis with the addition of high-profile signing Eros Bergamin who made the switch from Marconi Stallions.
Stanmore Hawks FC and Inter Lions SC clash at Arlington Oval on Saturday night with both sides looking to build upon their disappointing 2018 campaigns.
Under the guidance of new coach Ben Rollison, Stanmore have recruited well in the off season with 21-year old Tim Wohlfiel returning to Australia to join the Hawks after a lengthy spell in England.
The Hawks have also managed to secure exciting prospect Angus Chance who joins the club from Dulwich Hill.
Inter Lions will be hoping to get off on the front foot in 2019 with new recruits Alec Beccera, Fikiret Berisha, Meco Tripodi, Nico Paras, Stephen Stavropoulos and big signing Zac Ribeiro all having NPL or NPL 2 experience under their belts.
2018 Grand Finalists SD Raiders FC will look to go one step further this campaign as they host the Western NSW Mariners FC on Saturday night at Ernie Smith Reserve.
As the hosts approach their third year in the league they will hope to build upon last year’s performance and be crowned NPL 3 winners come the end of the season.
With former Socceroo star Nick Carle continuing in his role as technical director, we will be sure to see several exciting prospects break through into their first grade squad and make a name for themselves in the league.
Hovering at the lower reaches of the league table for the last couple of seasons, the Mariners will be striving for better this year as they look to battle their way into finals contention.
After last season’s penalty shootout heartbreak in the elimination final, Bankstown City FC will meet Dulwich Hill FC at Jensen Park on Saturday night at 7pm.
Bankstown City will be looking to kickstart their 2019 campaign on the right foot. Playing at the revamped Jensen Park, Dulwich Hill will be a welcome sight for the Lions after they did the double over them in their two meetings last season.
Led by their captain in Nikola Todoroski who once again will be looked at in leading his chargers to victory, his goals will be vital for Bankstown’s chances in the competition.
Todoroski along with another big name, Ante Tomic, when on, are one of the most fiercest teams in the league.
Dulwich Hill will have an almost entirely new playing roster this year-round with several players heading out of the club, most notably veteran goalkeeper Michael Frost who has decided to hang up his gloves.
Coach Mark Strachan has had to step up player recruitment for the 2019 season with nine new faces set to join Dully with Nathan Sansom and star attacker Peter Crevani joining from Blacktown Spartans.
Dulwich Hill have also added NPL 2 trio Luke Turnbull, Russell Farrell and Christian Desa to their squad as they team up to create a new look Dully outfit.
Round one action will be rounded up at 3pm at Christie Park on Sunday afternoon as last season’s surprise package Gladesville Ryde Magic play host to Sydney University SFC.
After a stellar 2018 campaign, Magic have been dealt a blow with star player Michael Gaitatzis, the competition’s golden boot winner last season joining NPL outfit Sydney Olympic where his brother Harris also signed with after his time at the Rockdale City Suns.
In a bid to replace the void left by Michael, Magic have secured the signature of seasoned striker Rosario Occhipinti. A player well known to the NPL 3, Rosario has won the golden boot in this league on two previous occasions.
The biggest coup for Magic comes with the signing of Robert Mileski with the former Sydney United striker and captain adding a wealth of experience to their playing roster. He, along with Chris Triantis will most certainly form one of the deadliest partnerships in the NPL 3 NSW Men’s competition so watch this space.
Sunday’s opponents, Sydney University may prove tricky for the hosts with the visitors having taken maximum points from their two outings in the previous campaign.
With kick off only days away we all cannot wait to see what this season has install for us.
Who will be the frontrunners? Which teams will fall short this year?
Get ready for another blockbuster season in the NSW NPL 3 Men’s competition!
-By NPL 3 NSW Men’s Chief Writer Samuel Greco Schwarz (Twitter handle: @SamuelGS97)
