Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Season Preview
The Futsal Premier League season is back and we’re just about ready for it to kick off this weekend.
Before that however, let’s look at what’s changed amongst the teams as they prepare for round one with the wildcard of a stop clock involved!
Let’s start with Dural Warriors where there has been plenty of change approaching the 2023 Open Men’s season. After finishing 6th last season, Rob Varela has taken the reigns of both open categories for this season.
Three senior players will not be returning for the Warriors, as such they have brought some reinforcements. Andrew Luttringer is a noticeable name among the squad as they look to improve their 2022 output. While regulars such as Ahmed Sweedan, Jacob Basden and Wade Giovenali will wear Warriors colours once again.
Next up are Enfield Allstars who again look like they are going to be there or thereabouts when push comes to shove in 2023. They will be led once again by Ernie Bivona who is doubling up coaching wise in the open set-ups.
On the pitch there’s a lot to like about how they have recruited. Headlined by the signing of Futsalroo goalkeeper Domenic Badolato, they have also added Marko Filipovic and Harry Jane into the fray. While regulars Dominic Cox, Michael Kouta and Shervin Adeli also return. It’s a stacked competition and Enfield are no different.
In a league full of change, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah are approaching things differently on and off the pitch. Firstly, let’s touch on their coaching change with Steve Tzanakes coming into the role after an extensive youth coaching record stretching back ten seasons.
On the pitch, the squad has an air of stability about it. With two signings coming in and a couple of promotions from their youth side. Still their key players look to be Robert Ezekiel, Emmanuel Tzanakes and Lucas Brandow Vidal all familiar to those who followed the competition last time out. Expect an energetic, attacking style of futsal from this side with plenty of youth involvement.
No team in the competition has undertaken more change than that of Macarthur Quake. Indeed, only one player remains from last season in Liam Polinsky with familiar name to the division Tuan Cao taking on the rebuild job.
Amongst the young squad are a Futsalroo and a train on Futsalroo alike in Scott Rogan and Michael Nguyen. While Saharat Saetang and Watharin Pasarak from Thailand look like players to watch in Cao’s side. A tough competition awaits and how far they go could depend on how quickly they gel once the season commences.
No different to other teams across the division, Mountain Majik have undergone plenty of change themselves as they look to improve on their 2022 showing. Coaching the side is Brett Hewit who has been brought in from the Quake to coach this season.
Their key pickup for the upcoming season is Anthony Haddad from Inner West as Hewit looks to build his side around youth coming in. While plenty of faces return for the 2023 season, so keep an eye out for them. In a competitive league, they will aim to make themselves a nuisance to the opposition week in, week out.
Mascot Vipers are a team certainly not hiding their ambitions this season as they look to go one better. Yes, the losing grand finalists last season have strengthened coming into the new season which has club president Zvi Bendavid very excited.
Joining the club are the trio of Daniel Fornito, Jonathan Barzel and Chris Zeballos from Inner West. As well as the Niski brothers of Dylan and Nathan. While seven players also return from last season’s exploits. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Mikah Chilas, Hikun Nguyen and Thomas Van Gool have also been tipped for breakthrough seasons.
I think we’ve all learnt our lesson not to underestimate UTS Northside right? Two consecutive 2nd placed finishes have proven that they will be there to compete once again in the Open Men’s competition.
There are a few new faces to the set up in 2023 who all have Northside roots. The most notable of which is Eddie Caspers who returns to the side after a spell at the Macarthur Bulls. While we have also been told about Benjamin Waller as a player who could make an impact in the upcoming campaign. Otherwise, it’s a similar look to a side looking to go one better in 2023.
Finally, let’s touch on Boomerangs FS who are back and ready to compete this season. No stranger to a tough competition, they made it to the Futsal Premier League 2 grand final last season.
On that day, they came up just short of their opponents, something which could well motivate Nick Van Aalst and his team for the forthcoming season. They as well as their women’s side will look to make their home pitch a tough base to come as a foundation for the season.
Futsal Premier League Open Men’s R1 Fixtures
Mountain Majik Futsal Club v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 16 September, 5pm, Valentine Sports Park
Dural Warriors v Enfield Allstars; Saturday 16 September, 5:20pm, The Centre Dural
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Macarthur Quake Futsal; Saturday 16 September, 7:30pm, PCYC Dee Why
Mascot Vipers v Boomerangs FS to be played Sunday 26 November
Times are subject to change, check the competitions site for latest fixture information.
By Justin Smith
