2023 League One Men’s Season Preview
A change of format sees more Football NSW League One Men’s football than ever and fittingly there’s an unpredictably about it as we head into the 2023 season.
After a condensed pre-season period, we’re all set to go with a thirty-week season to come. The carrot at the top being crowned champions and gaining promotion while relegation is back at the other end. Not exciting enough? Well, we have promotion/relegation playoff scenarios to add with the second placed side set to face an NPL counterpart and the team second-from-bottom playing off against a League Two side.
We’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves there with 240 games ahead of us, so let’s take a look at our 2023 field before we get started.
Bankstown City
Coach: Ante Moric
Last Season: 6th (League Two)
It’s been five years since Bankstown City were last in the 2nd tier of NSW football and they’re keen to make a statement in 2023. Finishing in 6th position last season, their fortunes turned with the appointment of Ante Moric as coach last June and with five wins from their last eight games they are carrying some momentum into the season.
In the off season, they have freshened up the look of the squad which has seen the average age drop. Jordan Morfitis as a late pick up is a notable one, Morfitis joined by Jakub Prajza and both Moric brothers from St George City. While another trio from Marconi have also joined with Zac Cairncross, Adrian Valenti and Jarred Mckinley making that switch. Top that up with Jonathan Grozdanovski from Sutherland and it’s safe to say they have been busy in the window. They join existing players such as Nikola Todoroski, Ante Tomic, Jeffrey Issa and Peter Triantis to make up a handy looking squad.
A well-known club who seem to be back on the way up with a tough pre-season under their belt, it’s worth keeping an eye on Jensen Park this season.
Blacktown Spartans
Coach: Ben Rollison
Last Season: 7th
The first existing side that we touch on, Blacktown Spartans have undergone significant change from last year’s efforts and are not to be underestimated this season. After Andy Montgomery departed the club towards the end of last season for Mt Druitt Town Rangers, they appointed Ben Rollison from Rydalmere Lions in one of the more eye-catching coaching changes of the off-season.
And so far it has paid off with the side looking in good shape heading into round one. Peter Pelekanos is the headline recruit slipping straight into a captaincy role. He is joined by another new recruit in Anthony Younis at the back. While further forward, Tony Yang slots into the midfield with Josh Bartolotto returning from a year off. Their recruitment capped off with Daniel Durkin and Jovan Blagojevic, both strikers who play off each other well by all reports.
With things coming together well for Rollison and his team in pre-season, can they carry that into round one?
Bonnyrigg White Eagles
Coach: Brian “Bomber” Brown
Last Season: 8th
The return of a club legend in the dug out has Bonnyrigg White Eagles set for the new campaign after a few disappointing seasons. Finishing well outside the top four promotion positions last season, something needed to happen for this sleeping giant in Sydney’s South-West and the return of Brian “Bomber” Brown may have just hit the spot.
Bomber will be joined by another club legend in Ray Miller who has swapped the playing boots for the dugout as assistant. On the field, nine players return from 2022 including Jack Kuipers, Aaron Peterson, fan favourite Radovan Pavicevic and promising youngster Maksim Jez. Incomings are joint competition top-scorer Emmanuel Gonzalez, Tom Whiteside, Brad Bartels and others.
After the aforementioned few disappointing seasons, this should be a motivated group to set things right and with some off the field distractions behind them, many are tipping them to be right up there come season’s end.
Canterbury Bankstown FC
Coach: Wally Savor
Last Season: 4th (League Two)
After tasting relegation from the division in 2019, Canterbury Bankstown have made an immediate return for the 2023 season (well kind of). Finishing fourth in the League Two competition last season, they were consistent across the campaign.
Savor who is coming into his fourth season as coach at the club has led the team through a disrupted preseason, yet is confident his side will find its feet in the competition as it progresses. In terms of squad news, Bonmyeong Koo has departed the side along with Josh Gersbach, Justin Ivanovic as well as Andre and Leo Guzman.
Incoming, they have looked to bring in some experience to the youthful squad with Nick Petrillo, Stefan Dubocanin, Joel Beattie and James Ralston coming in. While Steven Sohn jumps across from Hakoah FC to provide a wide option.
A side who seemed to improve as last year’s League Two season went on, Savor will be hoping for similar when adjusting to the new league.
Central Coast United FC
Coach: Wayne O’Sullivan
Last Season: 2nd (League Two)
With the promotion of Central Coast Mariners, some would have been hoping to avoid the trip up to Pluim Park, well we have bad news for you … It’s been a rapid rise up the divisions for Central Coast United and they deservedly take their place in League One after a second placed finish in the League Two competition last year.
A club which has a philosophy of using local talent, anyone who plays for them either lives there, is born there or has moved there. If you followed them last season, familiar names such as Daniel Mcfarlane, Geordie Howe, Josh Swadling and Thomas Lyons have returned. While the additions of Kane Runge (Bentleigh Greens), Cobe Preston and Jarrod Dodds will freshen things up. With a special mention going out to Adam Woodbine who returns to the club after a year off.
It’s a bit like the old days and this ex-State League journalist is looking forward to it. A really tough side to beat at home, you’d back them to claim a few scalps this season.
Dulwich Hill FC
Coach: Paris Svilicich
Last Season: 7th (League Two)
It wasn’t an easy season for Dulwich Hill in 2022. Finishing seventh in League Two, they struggled to get a rhythm going throughout with a disrupted playing group. However, let me be the first to say it’s great to have a club playing out of Arlington Oval in the division.
Led by coach Paris Svilicich who enters his fifth season in his second spell at the club, they are quietly confident of a respectable showing in League One. Trusting the core of the squad which he has built during his time in charge, Svilicich has looked to reinforce them more than anything with the acquisitions of goalkeeper Jerome Narayan from Mt Druitt, as well as a pair of strikers in Mark Younis from Inner West and Thomas Tranberg as a visa player. While Emmanuel Zervas, Ben Hayes, Jacob Palamadas and Liam Spirolopoulos have been promoted from within.
With not a lot of pressure on them given their finishing position last season, Dulwich Hill certainly are capable of shaking things up, will they? Time will tell.
Dunbar Rovers FC
Coach: Christian Soares
Last Season: 8th (League Two)
One of three new clubs to the second division, Dunbar Rovers were last to book their spot with an eighth place finish in League Two. Coming down to what essentially turned into a promotion playoff in round 21 last year, they prevailed over Gladesville Ryde Magic courtesy of goals to Calvin Lovric and Olivier Beltran-Woodward.
Christian Soares continues his long association with the club, coaching first grade for his third season in 2023. In terms of playing personnel, Dunbar go down as one of the most settled sides in the division with a focus on improving existing players rather than opting to bring some in. Calvin Lovric has left the club. Replaced by Evan Davis, Daisuke Yamagushi, Lucas Brandow, Daniel Goni and Kristopher Nicolaou who have all joined.
A young enthusiastic side who are looking to build on last season, Dunbar Rovers believe they have what it takes to give the competition a good crack.
Hakoah FC
Coach: Craig Sharpley
Last Season: 6th
After a season in which they never really got going in 2022, Hakoah FC have gone down the route of a squad refresh for the new campaign. Luka Hrzina stepped aside after a four-year spell at the club and Hakoah wasted no time in finding a replacement, appointing U20’s coach Craig Sharpley to the role. Sharpley with a good record of developing young players in recent times.
As such, the team looks more youthful for the upcoming campaign. James Demetriou, Dominic Cox and Luiz Lobo along with four others have left. While Cam Philpot from St George FC, Finley Hayhurst from Blacktown Spartans and Sam Young have come in. Led by Yianni Spyrakis on the field, keep an eye out for Conor Earley who looks to have settled in at the club as an attacking threat.
There’s so much unknown about this competition and Hakoah are no different, bring on the season!
Hills United FC
Coach: Luke Casserly
Last Season: 12th
Hills United are under no illusions that they need to improve this season. After a bottom placed finish last time out, they have put in some hard work this preseason as they get ready to go. Luke Casserly offers some stability coaching wise after several coaching changes in recent times and the mood is pretty positive heading in.
Staying on for the upcoming season are Glen Kelshaw, Rainer Smahel, Eoin Montford, Jacob Basden, Wade Giovenali, Jordan Parfait and Tristen Van Rhoon. Joined by several promotions from the 20’s and eight new signings to the club with a goal of creating significant depth to the squad, something they struggled with last season. Signings of note being Nicolai Muller, Brian Jamba and the return of Nathan Rayner as well as others.
Another side who have undergone plenty of change since last season, expect them like others to grow into things as the weeks go by.
Inter Lions FC
Coach: John Theodoropoulos
Last Season: 1st (League Two)
After investing time in rebuilding their senior program, the hard work paid off for Inter Lions in 2022, claiming the League Two premiership and making it to the grand final. As such, if you were to ask which promoted club is best prepared for the jump up to League One, most would say Inter Lions.
With state-of-the-art facilities as well as a medical and data analysis set up, the club’s most notable recruit of late was that of Daniel Georgievski, who has both featured in the first team and played a role in the youth side’s development. However, to limit their threat to just him would be doing them a disservice as it’s a strong side.
Departing are Nathan Rayner, Daniel Axford and Lawrence Hanna. While they have recruited smartly bringing in Lachlan Everett, Billy Patramanis, Stephen Athanaseris, Jack Green and the free-scoring Thomas Quilligan (at least on the futsal pitch).
Just how far will they go? That remains to be seen but they certainly won’t look out of place in the new division.
Macarthur Rams
Coach: Brett Hewit
Last Season: 5th (League Two Champions)
A returning team to the division after a three-year absence, Macarthur Rams come into the 2023 season as one of two sides in the league to taste silverware last time out. In a remarkable run from 5th place, they took out the grand final in memorable fashion over Inter Lions at Sydney United Sports Centre.
Led by Brett Hewit who enters his second full season in the dugout after moving across from Blacktown Spartans, the Rams are another side who set a priority on local players when recruiting. Expect most of their starting eleven from last season to appear again, while they have topped up the squad with some familiar names to the division such as Alex Gollan, Mathew Barkho and Daniel Bittar.
Under no illusions about the task ahead of them in their new division, they know they need to find a consistency which wasn’t quite there last season. However, a good finish to 2022 has installed a quiet confidence that they can make a dent in the competition.
Mounties Wanderers
Coach: Harry Tsironis
Last Season: 10th
In an off season full of change, it’s perhaps Mounties Wanderers who have had the most during the break. One of a few existing sides in the league who had a rough second half of the season, they opted for a rebuild. Jerry Bilokapic has left the club to be replaced by Harry Tsironis, a coach who has an impressive record in youth levels.
On the field, a total of 14 players have left Cook Park including the likes of Cole Mutton (Northern Tigers), Brad Bartels (Bonnyrigg) and Peter Pelekanos (Blacktown Spartans). Staying on are Anthony Windsor, Zac Douglas and four others from last year’s squad. Complemented by signings such as Asmir Kadric, Zander Regan and Andre Schroeder just to name a few.
Progressing well in the pre-season in forming combinations and systems, Tsironis is confident his side will be ready for the lengthened season. They start their season away to Central Coast United so we’ll find out a lot about them then.
Northern Tigers
Coach: Adam Hett
Last Season: 5th
It’s been an offseason of change for Northern Tigers after a tough second half of 2022. Being the best side to not be promoted came at a cost with several players moving to NPL surroundings. Hiyori Kawaguchi and Bailey Rule moving to Sydney United while Alexander Brown will appear for Sutherland this year. Add to that club captain Jamie Lobb calling time on his career and it was a big rebuild job for Adam Hett.
Staying on are the likes of Elliot Carwardine, Travis Oughtred and the ever-present Shervin Adeli among others. While coming into the squad are familiar names in the division Shaun Catlin, Christian Cirino, Cole Mutton and Charles Abou Serhal. As well as Gian Fiorese from Apia, Luca Kmet from Manly and Dean Evans. All while they continue to promote players from their youth set up, Kai Denton and Sam Parry among them.
With a lot of change occurring in the pre-season, it may take a little while to click but once it does, they will be considered one of the favourites for the league.
Rydalmere Lions FC
Coach: Paul Fraser
Last Season: 3rd (League Two)
The last club who are making their debut in the competition are Rydalmere Lions. Entering the NSW state competitions in 2013, they have made their way up the leagues to where they are now. They qualified for promotion after finishing in 3rd place last season.
However, they have undergone some changes since then. Ben Rollison has departed for the Blacktown Spartans to be replaced by Paul Fraser in the job. Fraser who comes in with plenty of experience has been at the club for a few years now, leading their 20’s last season. On the park they have brought in nine signings including Mario Aleksik, Lachlan Mcgrath (Northern Tigers), Aiden Taouil (Spirit) and Tony Spaseski who all have experience in the division. While Noah Chia, Tom Chidiac and Yuki Kanai also look like strong signings.
They will complement their established core of players as they aim high in their debut League One season.
SD Raiders FC
Coach: Goran Ljuboja
Last Season: 11th
Of the eight existing sides from last year’s League One season, only two have a coach returning and one of those two is SD Raiders. It was a tricky second half of the season for the Raiders who only picked up four points in that period. Still, the club held firm on their path going forward with Goran Ljuboja in charge for his second campaign.
Apart from that, there has been plenty of change in the playing group with Ljuboja opting for a youth first policy. As such, names like Daniel Bittar, Jordan Figon, Mario Aleksik and others have left the club. With James Letta, Noah Chianese, Mark Cindric, Cooper Hanagan and Sebastian Malfara set to take a more senior role. They will be joined by eight incomings who will be hungry to make an impact in the division.
Described by Ljuboja as his “mosquitos”, how far can they go this season?
St George FC
Coach: Jane Talcevski
Last Season: 9th
Finally, we come round to St George FC who are shaping up for a good season. Determined to continue the development process, which was started by Greg King and Mark Milligan, head of football Jane Talcevski has returned to the role of head coach having held the same role in 2021.
Leaving the squad over the off season were Isaac Danzo (Rockdale) and Cam Philpot (Hakoah). And they didn’t waste time in bolstering their squad by taking four from last year’s St George City side in Troy Danaskos, Nicholas Kalogerou, Alex Malfara and Reuben Awaritefe. With Jeremy Cox, Pat O’Shea, Gian Sacco, League Two top scorer Bonmyeong Koo and ex J-League 3 player Shunta Nakamura also completing a strong squad. A squad which is trying to find that balance between youth and experience.
With a preseason filled with fixtures against NPL opposition, expect them to be battle ready by round one and who’s to say they won’t challenge at the top this season?
By FNSW League One Men’s Journalist Justin Smith
