2024 League One Men’s Season Preview
The wait for the Football NSW League One Men’s 2024 season is over with teams just about ready to take to the field.
Before that, let’s take at all the ins and outs from each of our 16 clubs as Friday approaches.
Four of which enter the division from National Premier Leagues Men’s NSW and FNSW League Two to freshen things up while the existing sides have strengthened. Without anything else to add, let’s set the table for the always dramatic 2nd tier in NSW.
Bankstown City FC
Coach: Sasha Tirovski
Last Season: 10th
Let’s start with a side many expect to be promotion contenders this season in Bankstown City FC. After a lower mid-table finish in 2023, they know the challenge that awaits them coming into this campaign. Sasha Tirovski remains in the dugout after taking the gig early last season and has a full pre-season behind him and they’ll be confident of a better start this time around.
Squad wise, it’s been a busy off season for the club. An eye-watering 13 players have left the club including Nikola Todoroski and Ante Tomic. They have been replaced by Chris Payne and Devante Clut from Sydney United. Nikola Djordjevic and Rhett Dasilva from Mt Druitt Down Rangers. While Jamie Bazeski could prove an interesting signing having been picked up from local club Yagoona Lions. Mabior Garang the final piece of the puzzle added on deadline day. And that’s just touching on a few of a strong looking squad on paper.
There’s still a lot to learn about this squad with many new faces, if they gel early, they could well be up there in season 2024.
Blacktown Spartans FC
Coach: Ben Rollison
Last Season: 8th
After an 8th placed finish last season, there is an air of stability at the Blacktown Spartans approaching round one of this season. As their finish on the table suggests, they were a bit hot/cold in 2023 mainly down to a lack of depth after a squad rebuild. This season however is a different story with Ben Rollison building adding some more meat to the bone in 2024. Rollison returning for his second year in charge in Sydney’s West.
Staying on from last season are Christian Nascimben, Peter Pelekanos, Angus Chance among others while they look to have recruited smartly with a particular focus up front. The trio of Aedon Kyra, Sulleyman Bangura and James Demetriou hopefully providing the goals at Blacktown Football Park. While other notable signings include Nicola Kuleski, Daniel Araujo, Jamie Percevski and goalkeeper Jacob Madden.
A squad which looks ready to compete, we’re expecting them to find themselves further up the table this time out.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC
Coach: Brian Brown
Last Season: 3rd
Expectations are once again high for Bonnyrigg White Eagles as they look to escape the division in 2024. To do so however, they will need to put a few demons to bed after a heartbreaking end to last season. As such, they went back to the drawing board assessing where they needed to add to the squad to challenge once again.
Club favourite Brian “Bomber” Brown is once again coaching the side this season and their recruitment has been focused in two areas. The first being their defense which cost them at some crucial times last season, recruiting Stefan Dubocanin and Nicholas Petrillo from Canterbury Bankstown alongside Braedon Andreotti and defensive midfielder Dean Evans. While also complimenting their attack with Jordan Metcalfe, Daniel Bittar and Christian Torrelli.
Alongside Bankstown City, Bonnyrigg White Eagles will be considered favourites to take one of the top two spots. Can they? It remains to be seen.
Bulls FC Academy
Coach: Craig Noone
Last Season: 16th (NPLNSW)
The first side we touch on who weren’t in the division last season, Bulls FC academy are looking forward to the challenge of League One this season. One of just two clubs who made a coaching change in the off-season, Craig Noone comes in as head coach for the season ahead with Tim Aitken alongside.
Of course, being an academy side, their objectives are slightly different to the other sides with a particular focus on player development and so far signs are good with the group clicking together quicker than expected. Look out for the likes of Mason Wells, Flynn Madden, Michael Marcevski and Adrian Knez who have been singled out for breakout seasons. While Oliver Randazzo and Abdelelah Faisal have come in externally.
It’s pretty hard predicting this division when it’s not an academy, near impossible when it is. We can be sure however that there’s plenty of talent in this squad as they look to bounce back to the NPL picture next season.
Canterbury Bankstown FC
Coach: Wally Savor
Last Season: 5th
The cost of overachieving? Change has been in the air at Canterbury Bankstown after an impressive showing last season. Finishing in 5th position, they have since lost twelve players to clubs across the NSW system and through retirement. As such a rebuild has been required and the club were kept busy putting together pieces right up until the registration deadline.
Led once again by Wally Savor, they have retained a total of seven players from last season including Brendan Mandizvidza, Cian McNamara and Gina Cerasoli alongside others. While names coming into the side include Koo Bonmyeong making a return to the club, Finley Hayhurst and Jake Mamone back in football after a year off. Ten signings all up (sorry if we missed you).
It’s an unpredictable league already before adding a complete change of squad as has happened at Canterbury Bankstown. They could take a while to get going this season, how long could decide where they finish.
Dulwich Hill FC
Coach: Tony Valvanis
Last Season: 12th
A common theme across sides approaching their second season in League One has been structural change and nowhere is that more evident than at Dulwich Hill approaching the new season. Tony Valvanis has had a full pre-season to work with his side and they are hoping to take the lessons learned from last season into 2024.
Squad wise, they let 12 players go in the off season and brought 8 in with the goal of providing a brand of football they can be proud of. And there are some notable names in the incomings including stepover king Steve Kuzmanovski, Alex Kyriacou from St George City, Josh Da Silva and Jake Bradshaw from Canterbury Bankstown. While Zach Fielding, Meco Tripodi, Sam Hilton and Daniel Padoani also joined the squad.
There certainly is reason to be excited for the season if you follow Dulwich Hill. Looking like they have made positive steps forward, expect them to move further up the table in season two of their stay in League One.
Dunbar Rovers FC
Coach: Christian Soares
Last Season: 14th
Fighting relegation is never a pleasant experience and as such, Dunbar Rovers will be determined not to do so again this time out. Finishing just two points above the bottom two last season, Christian Soares returns to lead their charge from the sidelines as they hope to find more clear air this season.
They have had one of the quieter off seasons in terms of personal across the division. Four players stand out as notable departures in Daniel Goni, Olivier Beltran-Woodward, Evan Davis and Ronan Connolly. While Hassan Soufi and Hamish Mahon have come into the club, Mahon is a relatively familiar name from Northern Tigers. But a lot will come down to existing players once again in 2024 such as Daisuke Yamaguchi and Lucas Brandow Vidal.
Still a young squad with an appetite for learning, they will once again be primed for a fight in 2024. It could be a tougher ask for them however in their second season in the division.
Hakoah Sydney City East FC
Coach: Craig Sharpley
Last Season: 9th
Looking to push on from their mid-table finish last season, Hakoah FC are quietly confident of a finish further up the table in 2024. Building nicely with some challenging fixtures in pre-season, the players have been responding well to internal targets and look set for the season ahead. Coaching wise, Craig Sharpley returns for his second season in charge with his coaching staff.
On the field, it’s pretty stable with 70% of players hanging round from last season while some 20’s players have been promoted into the first team. Ginjira Chiba and Sam Shepard have come into the squad and done well in preseason. Jordan Mikhael and Elliot Breakspear both are pushing for spots in the starting side while goalkeeper Ryan James has progressed from the 20’s side.
A club which prides itself in promoting youth from within and with a stable foundation to build upon, they could well meet their targets in 2024.
Inter Lions FC
Coach: John Theo
Last Season: 6th
If you look back on season 2023, a couple of clubs well and truly finished the season on a positive note. One of those clubs was Inter Lions who found their feet in the division around the same time as they went on a memorable cup run. As such, stability was the story of their off-season starting with the coach John Theo.
Playing wise, Anthony Costa retired entering the noble business of running a pizza kitchen, while Tom Quilligan left for first team opportunities elsewhere. While additions include winger Jay Jay Morfitis from Bankstown City, attacker Ahmed Taleb from Rydalmere and goalkeeper David Matthews from St George. It’s also worth keeping an eye on Sebastion Bellow who has been promoted from their 20’s, his versatility bound to be a blessing in this long season ahead.
It’s been an impressive rise from Inter Lions in recent seasons and there’s no reason they can’t be in the top half competing throughout the season. Potential Darkhorse anyone?
Macarthur Rams FC
Coach: Darren Jones
Last Season: 13th
Wanting to take a step forward in the division, Macarthur Rams are targeting a better season in 2024. Finishing 13th last time out, they didn’t have a lot to play for in the second half of that campaign with a five-point gap over the bottom two perhaps closer than it should have been.
Head coach Darren Jones has had a full pre-season to prepare his side after coming in mid last year. Their pre-season has been a positive one with excitement around the playing group. The trio of Paul Soraiva, Richard Shoueiki and Nathan Manno highlight the signings for the Rams with a particular focus of bringing youth into the side.
It’s a competitive division and the Rams will be hoping to build on their experience last season, expect them to challenge in more games this season and it would be surprising if they didn’t finish higher up the table.
Mt Druitt Town Rangers FC
Coach: Andy Montgomery
Last Season: 15th (NPLNSW)
Returning to League One after a multiyear stay in the top tier, Mt Druitt Town Rangers will be eyeing a quick return for 2025. They will be led this season by a familiar face to the league in Andy Montgomery who previously coached the Blacktown Spartans in 2022 before going to assist at the Rangers last season.
Before we talk about who has come into the club, let’s touch on players who have left in Tarek Elrich who has been an “amazing servant” of the club. While on the other end of the scale, Abdul Faisal won an a-league contract. With that out of the way, Garang Awac, Jordan Gomez and John Roberts all return to the Rangers, While Tom Whiteside, James Georgaklis, Charles Mendy, Andre Martins and Malcolm Ward round off the incomings to the club.
No doubt, it’s a tough league to drop in on but Mt Druitt Town Rangers look like they could contend in their first season back in the division.
Nepean FC
Coach: Stephen Appleby
Last Season: 2nd (League Two)
The first of our two promoted sides, Nepean FC enter the competition excited for what the season will bring with the step up in quality. Winning their place in the competition via a promotion/relegation playoff win over Mounties Wanderers, they finished five points below UNSW last season. Despite this, edging out Newcastle Jets isn’t something to be sniffed at with Steve Appleby guiding them to the 2nd tier.
Compared to some sides in the division, it’s been a relatively quiet off season in Sydney’s West with six players departing the club for work reasons and four coming in, with 80% of the squad staying on. The new signings being goalkeeper Griffin Barry who has had a great offseason, Marcelo Martelotta, Daunte Cervo and Rocco Chisari. While the club have also singled out some 20’s players who could feature this season in Max Blackhurst, Zander Mascioli and Brohym Abdul Massih.
Always refreshing to welcome new sides into the division, avoiding relegation is the initial target, but this squad can challenge anyone.
Northern Tigers FC
Coach: Adam Hett
Last Season: 7th
It’s a question that is asked every preseason, will this be the year Northern Tigers achieve a long-awaited promotion? Last season they were plagued with inconsistency finishing seven points behind the top two. Coaching wise, it’s steady as she goes with Adam Hett returning once again to coach the side.
On the field, they have looked to mix things up with the opposition they faced in preseason which they hope they can translate into a successful season. Seven players have left the club in the offseason while Lewis Adamson and Matteo Scalli have been promoted internally. While it’s a return to North Turramurra for the duo of Hiyori Kawaguchi and Alexander Brown (don’t worry, the nickname will return as well).
For a club that prides itself on promoting youth, expect to see some other faces making an impact this season. With high standards set internally, you would fancy them to finish higher than their 7th placed finish last season.
Rydalmere Lions FC
Coach: Anthony Harb
Last Season: 11th
Another side to undergo plenty of change approaching their second season in the division, there will be plenty of interest in what Rydalmere Lions can do this season. Finishing in 11th last season, they started well but tailed off towards the end. Coach Anthony Harb has had a full preseason to help his side bond together after plenty of change coming into 2024.
How much you ask? Well close to 80% of last season’s squad has moved on from the club with just four players remaining. To replace them, they have searched far and wide with a mix of players coming in from abroad, a league academy players and those seeking a new start in football nsw circles. Harry Aquilina, Marcus Lal and Marcus Sparacino to name a few coming into the side.
A young hungry squad who have had a good pre-season by all accounts, they could well be looking at a top half finish in forthcoming campaign.
SD Raiders FC
Coach: Goran Ljuboja
Last Season: 4th
One of the surprise packet of last season. SD Raiders weren’t far away from getting themselves promoted last season. Yes, a dodgy run of form in the middle part of the season ended up costing them dearly. However, with five straight victories at the tail end of last season, they will be carrying momentum into this one.
A common theme across the division, Goran Ljuboja is coaching once again in 2024. To do well this season, they will need to fill an experience gap left from the departures of Mark Cindric and Scott Cusick among others. Coming in the other way, Jairo Torne Fernandez and Michael Figueira asnames familiar to the division. While Matt Lee, Justin Chan Frias, Lachlan Mills, Yuto Sugiura and Judah Cleur also joined the club.
If we learnt anything from last season, it’s not to underestimate this side however preseason hasn’t been the best which could see them falter at the start. Still, expect a top half finish for Goran Ljuboja’s side who are hard to stop once they get on a run.
UNSW FC
Coach: Gabe Knowles
Last Season: 1st (League Two)
Last but certainly not least, we welcome UNSW back to the second tier of NSW football in 2024. They finished top of the class last season with a straight A performance averaging an impressive 2.2 points per game. Their coach Gabriel Knowles is once again in charge for his sixth season having taken over in 2018 and he has slowly built a side which will challenge sides across the division.
So, what do you need to know about them going into this season? Luke Burke returns as captain alongside 15 of his teammates, most notably Matias Da Silva Santos and Emilio Vinci. While the squad has been strengthened with players familiar to the division such as goalkeeper Charles Samushonga, Richard Blanco from St George FC, Gabriel Lopez from Canterbury Bankstown, Timothy Woelfiel from Rydalmere and Thomas Quilligan from Inter Lions.
The students are keen to give a good account of themselves in their new classroom and with some good acquisitions, you would fancy them to do well this season.
Finally a quick reminder that every match of the round this season will be broadcast on the FNSW YouTube channel.
By Justin Smith
