Football NSW League One Men’s 2026 Season Preview

The 2026 FNSW League One Men’s season is just days away, and with it comes a campaign that promises intrigue, unpredictability and plenty of talking points.

With four new clubs entering the division and nine teams beginning the season under new coaches, change is a constant theme heading into Round 1.

While the competition looks wide open, one club enters the season as a clear benchmark, more on that shortly.

For now, it’s time to take a team-by-team look at how each side shapes up ahead of kick-off.

Bankstown City FC

Few clubs have made more noise this offseason than Bankstown City. After a couple of underwhelming campaigns, City have gone all-in on their pursuit of promotion in 2026.

Their statement of intent was made early, recruiting one of the best strikers the leagues in NSW has ever seen in Alec Urosevski, Blake Ricciuto and Braydon Sorge from Rockdale Ilinden. That trio has been joined by Bai Antoniou, Peter Kekeris, Mario Shabow, Fumuto Kamada, Bilal Belkadi and Robbie Speranza, forming one of the strongest squads on paper.

Departures include Andreas Agamemnonos, Henry Davies, Luke Okuda, Charles Eriku, Dimitri Kostopoulos, Rhett Da Silva and Nikola Djordjevic.

Change has also come off the field, with Fabian Miceli appointed head coach, assisted by Billy Tsovolos. Miceli brings extensive experience from stints at St George FC, Belconnen United, multiple A-League academies, and Mounties Wanderers as Youth Technical Director.

The objective is simple: promotion at all costs. With this squad, Bankstown City will start the season as favourites — and anything less than a top-two finish would be a surprise.

Blacktown Spartans 

After narrowly missing finals in 2025, Blacktown Spartans enter the new season with quiet confidence and a belief they can take the next step.

James Demetriou, who took charge midway through last season, has now had a full preseason alongside assistant Julian Baumbach. Together, they’ve focused on building depth and cohesion, with two quality options in every position.

Twelve players departed during the offseason, including Justin Biega, Shoma Nakagawa and George Timotheou. In response, the Spartans recruited smartly, adding Anthony Bouzanis (APIA), Paul Araullo (Hakoah), Christian Gonzalez (Sydney United) and Alex Tajanovski (Western City Rangers). Austen Booth (Taunton Town) and Daniel Scally (Hong Kong) add an element of unpredictability.

Returning leaders such as Aedon Kyra, Peter Pelekanos and Blake Ilitch provide stability. Can Blacktown take the final step into the top two in 2026?

Bulls FC Academy

One of three academy sides in the division, Bulls FC Academy will once again field a youthful, competitive squad.

Stability remains key, with Nicolai Muller continuing as head coach. His professional experience will be central to player development throughout the season.

The Bulls have added Luke Zuvela and Michael Pratezina (Sydney United), Lucas Blazevic and Trip McLachlan (Hills United), Ezra Frimpong (Marconi), Munib Smajic (Sydney FC) and Stephen Nealon (Canberra). Several players have also stepped up from last season’s Under 20s and 18s squads, while Atiya Waraga and Sam Murphy have moved on.

Promotion may be a step too far, but development and competitiveness remain the priority.

Canterbury Bankstown FC

Thirteen draws defined Canterbury Bankstown’s 2025 season, a statistic that explains their mid-table finish. With a refreshed squad and proven talent added, they could be a tough opponent in 2026.

Wally Savor enters his seventh season in charge, overseeing a significant reset. Fourteen players have departed, leaving a younger squad built around Stevan Savicic, Luke Grenfell, Gina Cerasoli, John Fotopoulos, Patrick Savor, Dennis Jang, Finley Hayhurst and Jake McLeod.

New arrivals include Dejan Bakrdanikoski and Jake Riddington in defence, Nicholas Azzi, Aleks Zecevic and Peter Kostopoulos in midfield, and attacking options Fikret Berisha, William Kounnas and young striker Danil Romanov.

Expect a hardworking side determined to turn draws into wins.

Central Coast Mariners

In what’s been a tough period for the Central Coast Mariners side with off-field dramas gaining the headlines, the club is set to do their best as the young promising stars prepare for the 2026 season.

A couple of young stars who are currently contracted to the club’s senior side will most likely take to the pitch in pushing the club’s cause for a big year including defender Shumba Mutokoyi, Laurence Taylor, Arthur De Lima, Logan Sambrook and Bailey Brandtman to name a few.

Dulwich Hill FC

Dulwich Hill enter 2026 following a reset, aiming to climb higher up the table.

Berhan Brandan Ackalmaz takes over as head coach after six years at the club, most recently leading the Under 20s and serving as first-grade assistant. Expect a hardworking, balanced squad with strong internal competition.

Key signings include Jesper Webber (St George), Marcus Lal (Hills United), goalkeeper Patrick Williams (Marconi), centre-back Jan Schmidt (UNSW FC), and midfielders Sam Guilsano (Mounties) and Kaya Akdeniz (Bulls Academy).

Veteran Daniel Fornito retired, while Goncalo Paradanta also departed. Eleven players from last season have re-signed, forming a solid core. Dulwich Hill look improved on paper and will be keen to prove it.

Hakoah FC

After an underwhelming 2025, Hakoah FC are searching for consistency.

Craig Sharpley remains at the helm, focusing on tightening the defensive side of the game. Paul Araullo, George Tuson-Firth and Luke Kralevic have departed, replaced by Dom Ofria (St George) and Stephen Varavitas (Bulls Academy). Fifteen players have re-signed, with Mac Liversidge and Eli Shead promoted from the Under 20s.

Hakoah have set ambitious goals, aiming to re-enter the promotion discussion.

Hills United

After a strong second half of 2025, Hills United look well placed to challenge again.

Patrick Zwaanswijk steps into the head coach role following Gary van Egmond’s departure as head coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers’ A-League Men’s side. Zwaanswijk returns to a club where he previously won the NPL2 Grand Final in 2019.

New arrivals include Japanese forward Kaito Satori, Max Hately (Western Sydney Wanderers), and Marin Matek returning from Croatia. Jesse Michel’s return from injury is another boost.

Balance and stability define this squad — if fundamentals click, results should follow.

Hurstville Zagreb FC

Fresh off winning the Football NSW League Two Championship, Hurstville Zagreb enter League One with momentum.

Coach Valerio Silvestro, the 2025 League Two Coach of the Year, leads a squad featuring a strong blend of experience and continuity. Twelve players have re-signed, while new additions include Mohamed Ahmed, Matthew Moric, George Antonis, Michael Vakis, Joshua Attard, Matthew Nikolovski and Nagib Kassir.

The Gagro brothers Paul and Jesse will once again be integral members of the squad, as will Luke Vlastelica, keeper Noah Botic, charismatic marksman Nikola Todoroski and Alessandro Lacalandra.

Their goal is simple: be competitive every week and represent their community with pride whilst giving the bigger clubs a run for their money especially when they play at their fortress.

Inter Lions

Happy to fly under the radar, Inter Lions approach 2026 with stability and belief.

Coach Shane Cevenini enters his second season, aiming to build on lessons learned in 2025. Captain Sam Armson has departed for NWS Spirit FC, while Ben Morrison, Evan Pavlakos and James Ord have stepped away.

New additions include Gianni Di Pizio (Sydney United), defenders Rainer Smahel and Daniel Bakrdanikovski (Hills United), and a group of promising youngsters. Improvement on last season’s seventh-place finish is the target.

Macarthur Rams

After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Macarthur Rams enter 2026 with a refreshed look.

Daniel Mijovic takes charge, assembling a young and dynamic squad. Attacking reinforcements include Chan Yelchan, Christian Torrelli and Olivier Beltran-Woodward. Departures include Emmanuel Gonzalez, Jayden Tran and Will Miranda.

Unpredictable but intriguing, the Rams will be keen to show what they’re capable of.

Newcastle Jets

By academy standards, 2025 was a success for the Jets, with multiple players stepping into the A-League squad.

Former Kiwi international Chris Zoricich replaces Damian Zane as head coach, bringing experience from Cook Hill United. The Jets will field one of the youngest squads in the competition, with only two players over the age of 20.

External signings include Noah Peacock, Angus Reid, Dallo Sandy, Nicholas Badolato and Jesse Hill. Development remains the priority and if seeing what is happening with their current first team squad is anything to go by with the likes of Will Dobson,  Xavier Bertoncello, Alex Nunes, Christian Bracco, Max Cooper, Ben van Dorssen, we may well see more promising guns coming through the system.

Northern Tigers

A fresh chapter begins for Northern Tigers following Adam Hett’s departure.

Milad Popalzy returns as head coach, having recently guided Manly United’s Under 20s to an NPL Premiership. Departures include Koya Nakano and Taiga Kawano, while Alen Aganovic, Jenson Vout, John Kassis and Austin Oates reinforce the squad.

An ambitious, youthful side — their ceiling will be tested early.

Prospect United

One of the surprise packages of 2025, Prospect United return after earning promotion.

Led once again by Darren Camilleri in his 11th season, Prospect have focused on retaining their identity while adding experience. Mounties quartet Robert D’Angelo, Daniel Kraljevic, Adrian Neoklis and Joshua Okan headline the signings.

Their goal is to cement their place in the division and build for the future.

Rydalmere Lions

After narrowly missing promotion in 2025, Rydalmere face a new challenge following the departure of coach Abbas Saad.

Jeff Suzor steps in after four years at Blacktown City’s Under 20s. Losses include 2025 League One Men’s Player of the Year Robert Eremugo and Ahmad Taleb, while new arrivals include Jackson Bandiera, Mabior Garang and Dimitri Kostopoulos.

Still ambitious, Round 1 against Bankstown City will be an early litmus test.

Western City Rangers

Relegation in 2025 sparked significant change at Western City Rangers.

Warren Grieve takes over as head coach, with recruitment focused on blending new faces with retained players such as Dylan Niski and Will Rankin. Eleven new signings arrive, including Paolo Bonanni, Ryan Devine and Marcelo Martellotta.

A new era begins as Rangers look to rebuild and re-establish themselves.

By Justin Smith