why have they split the NPL 1 into two confrences ffs..

[size=6]AUSTRALIAN UNDER 23 INTERNATIONAL BARKER-DAISH SIGNS FOR SOUTH[/size]
February 5, 2015



South Melbourne FC is proud to announce the signing of Olyroo Jake Barker-Daish for the 2015 National Premier Leagues season.

Jake grew up in Melbourne and played his junior football at Monash and Box Hill before being awarded a scholarship with the Victorian Institute of Sport. Under the scholarship he played for Altona Magic in the 2008 Victorian Premier League . He would make just one appearance for Altona before transferring to the Australian Institute of Sport, or the FFA Centre of Excellence as it has now been re-branded.

At the age of fifteen, Jake spent two years at the Institute, where he made multiple appearances for the Australian Under 17 and Under 20s team. Most significantly, this included a visit to Colombia in 2011 to represent Australia at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup. Jake moved north following the World Cup and he joined Gold Coast United in the A-League, making seven appearances. Despite the demise of that club, his time in the A-League wasn’t at an end as he then joined Adelaide United. Across two seasons, Jake made nineteen appearances for Adelaide, scored two goals and came off the bench in Adelaide’s 2013 Elimination Final loss to Brisbane Roar.

In early 2014, Jake returned to representative football and played for the Australian Under 23s at the Asian Cup in Oman. He was released by Adelaide United at the end of the 2013-2014 A-League season and proceeded to the Western Sydney Wanderers for a trial, however a contract did not eventuate.

Speaking to smfc.com.au, SMFC football director Nicholas Maikousis was elated with the signing “Jake is a very talented young footballer who we are pleased to have join our football club. He will provide the club will another midfielder with senior A-League experience, we look forward to having him in the centre of the park for the upcoming season.”

Miron Bleiberg signed Jake on his first professional contract at Gold Coast United in the A-League. Ironically, it will be Bleiberg coaching against Jake’s new club when South Melbourne FC host the Oakleigh Cannons in the opening match of the 2015 NPL Victoria season on Thursday 19 February. Kick-off is at 8:15PM.

2015 NPL PLAYER MOVEMENT
In
Luke Adams (NZ)
Bonel Obradovic (Oakleigh)
Andy Brennan (Sth Hobart)
Dane Milovanovic (Maldives)
David Stirton (Overseas)

Out
Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh)
Dimitri Tsiaras (Retired)
Shaun Kelly (Port Melb)
Shaun Timmins (Hume)
Dion Kirk (Bentleigh)
Jamie Reed (Wales)
Kobbie Boahene
Andrew Mullett
Jason Saldaris

Looks like gavalas will be back in goals for south, never been a fan to be honest and would have preferred roganovic.

We have also apparently lost James Musa to the United States...we could do with another defender, overall team looks much stronger on paper compared to last season.

In other news Steve pantelidis has hooked up with miron again at oakleigh.

Picked up Luke Adams, he should be a suitable replacement for Musa.


Gavalas was much better in his second season than his first, hopefully that's the lad we've got.

Would not be one bit surprised if Ballarat make a quick return to the NPL. They must be one of the favourites for promotion this season. Brunswick City have to improve on last season's poor effort and will do so with Alan Davidson in charge.

Edited by atlas: 13/2/2015 11:11:11 AM

Melbourne knights 1-2 south melbourne

Nice to have the first trophy of the season.

Yeah Adams will slot in at the back but we lack depth in that area, our first choice back 4 is strong though.

As for gavalas even in his second season he dropped 3 high balls over his goal line...that would get you sacked at most clubs and that's on top of his outburst, simply don't trust him in big games when teams are chucking high balls at his head.

Adrian Zahra to the knights

Josip simiunic to be at the knights this Friday the Za Dom will be strong in sunshine

Are NPL clubs allowed to have junior community clubs. What are the rules about this, can anyone enlighten?

For real? There's a game on or what?

The Melbourne Knights would like to proudly announce that Club legend and former Croatian national team captain Joe Simunic will be back in Melbourne this coming weekend.
Simunic will be a guest of honour of the Melbourne Croatia Soccer Club and Melbourne Knights Football Club for dinner before Friday night’s opening match of the 2015 season.

Leader soccer reporter John Bonacci runs the rule over the teams vying for this year’s NPL Victoria title
JOHN BONACCI MELBOURNE LEADER FEBRUARY 18, 2015 12:25PM SHARE

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With Victoria’s iteration of the National Premier League season set to kick off within days, Leader’s John Bonacci rates each team’s chance of success.

Will South Melbourne go back-to-back, or can FFA Cup surprise-packets Bentleigh dethrone the former national league powerhouse?

AVONDALE FC


Home ground: Doyle Street Reserve, Doyle St, Avondale Heights

Last season: 1st in NPL1

Key ins: Jeff Fleming (Green Gully), Philip Riccobene (Port Melb), Simon Tolli (Werribee), Jonathan Munoz (Northcote)

Key outs: Arturo Ymeri (Werribee), Bale Micovski (Moreland), Andrew Sacchetta (Released)

Players to watch: Oleksiy Khrapko, Philip Riccobene, Daniel Slovacek

Coach Anthony Barbieri says: “Every year we get written off because we are a small club with a small budget, and this year will probably be no different. We are excited to be at this level and want to be competitive on a week-to-week basis.”

Leader prediction: A string of promotions have lifted Avondale to the top flight for the first time ever. The fledgling club survives on a modest budget and a massive work rate, so just avoiding the drop will be no mean feat. Likely to be a relegation battler.

BENTLEIGH GREENS

Home ground: Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, Centre Dandenong Rd, Cheltenham

Last season: 4th in NPL

Key ins: Jamie De Abrau (Auckland City, NZ), Tyson Holmes (South Melb), Matt Thurtell (Brisbane Strikers), Chris Lucas (Palm Beach Sharks), Daniel Visevic (Melb Knights)

Key outs: David Stirton (South Melb), Lewis Foster (Dandenong), Jamie Kelly (Heidelberg)

Players to watch: Alistair Bray, Matt Thurtell, Chris Lucas

Coach John Anastasiadis says: “It’s been a challenge getting all the new faces to jell, but we really want to back up the great season we had last year and do well in the finals.”

Leader prediction: After a confidence-boosting FFA Cup run, the Greens will be looking to go one better with a genuine title push. Finals are a certainty, but should be aiming for a top two finish with all the firepower it has recruited.

DANDENONG THUNDER

Home ground: George Andrews Reserve, Trewin St, Dandenong South

Last season: 9th in NPL

Key ins: Lewis Foster (Bentleigh), Michael Gerace (Box Hill), Veton Korcari (Oakleigh), Alex Tabor (Richmond)

Key outs: Matt Miller (Melb City Youth), Kieron Dover (Melb Victory Youth), Kris Kioussis (Oakleigh), Alan Kearney (Port Melbourne)

Players to watch: Ramazan Tavsancioglou, Alan Mulcahy

Coach Stuart Munro says: “We’re heading in a slightly new direction and are going through a rebuilding process, but I think we’ll be a competitive mid-table type team. Hopefully we can make life difficult for a lot of teams.”

Leader prediction: Nothing less than success will please its passionate fans after a disappointing 2014 campaign, but squad turnover would suggest it may find life tough.

GREEN GULLY CAVALIERS


Home ground: Green Gully Reserve, Green Gully Rd, Keilor Downs

Last season: 10th in NPL

Key ins: Alon Blumgart (FC Bendigo), Tom Murphy (Far North Qld FC), Rani Dowisha (South Springvale), Nikola Markovski (Macedonia)

Key outs: Jeff Fleming (Avondale FC), Andy Vargas (Retired), Osagie Ederaro (Released), Jason Hayne & Mitch Bissinger (Northcote)

Players to watch: Rodrigo Vargas, Mathew Sanders, Nikola Markovski

Coach Bob Stojcevski says: “We have a lot of new faces and there are a lot of good characters that have come into the squad. Gully is a club that sets the highest standards, so this season will be no different. We need to ensure we are ready come round one and can challenge for a finals spot.”

Leader prediction: 2015 has seen Gully’s biggest squad turnover in almost a decade and the new players will need time to jell. For a club that demands success, expect Gully to be very competitive, although the title may be out of reach for this new look outfit.

HEIDELBERG UNITED


Home ground: Olympic Village, Catalina St, Heidelberg West

Last season: 3rd in NPL

Key ins: James Kelly (Bentleigh), Jonathan Voulgaris (Pascoe Vale), Andreas Govas (Oakleigh), Reuben Way (Olympic FC)

Key outs: Paul Miller, Ryan Norval & Zane Sole (Released)

Players to watch: Daniel Heffernan, Andreas Govas, Kaine Sheppard

Coach George Katsakis says: “We want to build on last year and make the finals at a minimum. We have recruited very well and have a lot of depth, which will put us in a good position for the league and the FFA Cup.”

Leader prediction: Underestimate Heidelberg at your own peril. This team finds a way to win and will be expecting to better last season’s top three finish. Finals are achievable and anything will be possible from there.

HUME CITY

Home ground: Broadmeadows Valley Park, Barry Rd, Westmeadows

Last season: 6th in NPL

Key ins: Calvin Mbarga (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Shaun Timmins (South Melb), Petar Franjic (Olmaliq, Uzbekistan), Jai Ingham (Brisbane Roar Youth), Ivan Pavlak (Sydney Utd)

Key outs: Richard Cardozo (Released), John Sapazovski (Preston)

Players to watch: Calvin Mbarga, Nick Hegarty, Shane Rexhepi

Coach Louie Acevski says: “There are a lot of fantastic teams in the league this season and we’ll be aiming for a top five finish. Anything more than that in a tough season would be a bonus.”

Leader prediction: After an injury-plagued 2014, Hume will be looking for a finals berth to reverse the club’s fortunes. Should be good enough to finish in the top half of the table and a finals appearance is a real possibility.

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS

Home ground: Knights Stadium, Somers St, Sunshine

Last season: 5th in NPL

Key ins: Cameron Tew (Brisbane City), Andrew Barisic (Kerala Blasters, India), Alex Dao (Bulleen Lions), Adrian Zahra (Perth Glory).

Key outs: Daniel Visevic (Bentleigh), Shayan Alineyad (Released)

Players to watch: Andrew Barisic, Jacob Colosimo, Stipo Andrijasevic

Coach Andrew Marth says: “If we can get into the top four in the league it will be fantastic, but a strong showing in the FFA Cup is also a priority for us. I think we are good enough to achieve at least what we did last year.”

Leader prediction: The former national league powerhouse’s revival under coach Andrew Marth continued last season despite a tough run of injuries. With Socceroos legend Mark Viduka helping out at training, the Knights should have enough drive and firepower to command a finals place.

NORTHCOTE CITY



Home ground: John Cain Memorial Park, Darebin Rd, Thornbury

Last season: 7th in NPL

Key ins: Jason Hayne & Mitch Bissinger (Green Gully), Nick Kokolakis (Box Hill), Jordan Wilkes (Heidelberg), Ryan Go (Feyenoord Academy)

Key outs: Adrian Chiappetta (Oakleigh), Wade Dekker & Phillip Petrevski (Melbourne City Youth), Liam Wooding (Metro Stars), Trent Rixon (Port Melb)

Players to watch: Marino Gasparis, Jason Hayne

Coach Goran Lozanovski says: “Like most clubs, our goal is to make the finals. What is important is getting off to a good start and we need to do that given that we’ve got a string of away games and have a lot of new faces.”

Leader prediction: The expectation and burden of being the reigning champion weighed heavily on Northcote last season, with the club struggling to get going. Guided by an experienced coach, City could be a finals contender once again.

NORTH GEELONG WARRIORS

Home ground: Elcho Park, Gibbons Rd, Lara

Last season: 2nd in NPL1

Key ins: Tomi Trbuhovic (Whittlesea Ranges), Josh Pugh (Floreat Athena), Milan Sekulic (Western Pride), Tonio Baresic (St Albans)

Key outs: Nicholas Anderson & Jackson Davis (Released)

Players to watch: Daniel Zilic, Matthew Townley, Darren Lewis, Vito Cichello

Coach Micky Colina says: “We have a young squad and know this season will be a major challenge. All we are looking for is respect and credibility, so we hope to earn that by being competitive in all the games we play.”

Leader prediction: Stepping up to the top flight will be tough, but the Warriors might just fly under the radar and surprise a few bigger clubs. Expect a brave battle to avoid relegation.

OAKLEIGH CANNONS

Dean Piemonte will be a key figure for Oakleigh as it chases this year’s crown. Picture:
Dean Piemonte will be a key figure for Oakleigh as it chases this year’s crown. Picture: Lawrence Pinder
Home ground: Jack Edwards Reserve, Edward St, Oakleigh

Last season: 2nd in NPL

Key ins: Jake McLean (Olympic FC), Adrian Chiappetta (Northcote), Kris Kioussis (Dandenong), Ross Honos (Port Melbourne), Ben Clarke (Goulburn Valley)

Key outs: Bonel Obradovic (South Melb), Veton Korcari (Dandenong), Andreas Govas (Heidelberg), Nate Foster (Released)

Players to watch: Goran Zoric, Dean Piemonte, Dusan Bosnjak

Coach Miron Bleiberg says: “We’ve brought in some good players and are not hiding from the fact that we want to do better than our second place finish last year. We also want to do well in the FFA Cup and go as far as we can.”

Leader prediction: The Cannons were difficult to break down last season and will be looking to go one better. Expect a genuine title push, with a top three finish on the cards.

PASCOE VALE


Home ground: CB Smith Reserve, Jukes Rd, Fawkner

Last season: 8th in NPL

Key ins: Jake Halliday (Campbelltown), Connor Kass (South Hobart), Davey van’t Schip (Jos Watergraafsmeer, Netherlands), Adam Nakic (St Albans), Tom Black (England), Alex Pavlidis (Box Hill).

Key outs: Marco Santilli & Evan Karavitis (Released), Jonathan Voulgaris (Heidelberg)

Players to watch: Michael Ferrante, Davey van’t Schip, Connor Kass

Coach Vitale Ferrante says: “We need to get off to a better start this season than we did last year and our goal is to improve on last year’s ladder position. We have signed some players for targeted roles and I think they’ll add to the quality of the squad.”

Leader prediction: Their best was brilliant in 2014, but inconsistency and a slow start plagued its season. A hot winning streak proved it can mix it with the best, but it needs to improve on its nine wins should it be seeking a finals place.

PORT MELBOURNE SHARKS

Home ground: JL Murphy Reserve, Plummer St, Port Melbourne

Last season: 11th in NPL

Key ins: Shaun Kelly (South Melb), Alan Kearney (Dandenong), Trent Rixon (Northcote), Josh Wilkins (Perth SC)

Key outs: Amadu Koroma (Green Gully), Ross Honos (Oakleigh), Adam Hrehoresin (Cairnlea), Philip Riccobene (Avondale FC)

Players to watch: Trent Rixon, Shaun Kelly, Andrew Milicevic

Coach Eric Vassiliadis says: “Our expectations are fairly lofty and we acknowledge last season was an unmitigated failure, so we need to fix that. If we can continue the progress we have made during the preseason, we definitely want to be in the upper echelon and want to do well in the FFA Cup.”

Leader prediction: Survived relegation last year with a late injury time goal in a disastrous season and will have learned what it needs to do to avoid a dogfight yet again.

SOUTH MELBOURNE


Home ground: Lakeside Stadium, Albert Road Dve, Albert Park

Last season: NPL Champions (Victoria)

Key ins: Andy Brennan (South Hobart), David Stirton (Bentleigh), Bonel Obradovic (Oakleigh), Dane Milovanovic (New Radiant FC, Maldives), Luke Adams (Waitakere Utd, NZ)

Key outs: Dimi Tsiaras (Retired), Shaun Timmins (Hume City), Tyson Holmes (Bentleigh), Shaun Kelly (Port Melb), Jamie Reed (Released)

Players to watch: Milos Lujic, David Stirton, Bonel Obradovic

Coach Chris Taylor says: “We have been reasonably happy with our preparation, but it hasn’t been ideal with injuries. We are expecting a tougher season than last year because everyone will have improved, but we’re going out there to win it again.”

Leader prediction: It’s hard to go past what is likely to be the most professional outfit in the NPL. South have the quality to go back-to-back and will be pushing for the title once again.

WERRIBEE CITY


Home ground: Galvin Park, Parklands Gve, Werribee

Last season: 12th in NPL

Key ins: Simon Colosimo (Free agent), Arturo Ymeri (Avondale FC), Christopher Cristaldo (Melb Victory Youth)

Key outs: Simon Tolli (Avondale FC), Ersin Kaya (Released)

Players to watch: Milan Savic, Simon Colosimo, Arturo Ymeri

Coach Nino Ragusa says: “We’d like to think that we can finish mid-table, but we’re hoping for a top five or six finish. Our young players have another year of experience under their belts now, but the whole competition will go up a notch and we need to keep improving.”

Leader prediction: Survived relegation with final round heroics and will be looking to consolidate its place this season. May find scoring goals difficult and will likely be entrenched in a relegation battle again, but have the experience and know how to survive.

[size=6]Lucky South Melbourne draws first blood against rivals[/size]
By Ahmed Yussuf (@ahmedyussuf10)




South Melbourne has taken the first points of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria season, defeating last year’s runner-up Oakleigh Cannons 1-0 in front of a 3523-strong crowd at Lakeside Stadium.

An own goal separated the sides after a Milos Lujic shot was saved by Oakleigh goalkeeper John Honos, only to ricochet back off of defender Adam Le Cornu, and into the net.

Oakleigh had the first real chance of the game with Dean Piemonte bursting his way into the box, only to scuff a shot into the arms of Honos.

Momentum shifted between the two combatants, with both teams having their share of chances.

But it wasn’t until the 24th minute when one side finally broke through.

A brilliant floating cross from Nick Epifano found Milos Lujic in the middle, who connected well with the ball, only to be denied by a reflex save by John Honos, before deflecting off of Le Cornu and bouncing back into the goal.

South pushed on after the goal, and almost found another breakthrough in the 40th minute with a through ball to Lujic almost opening him up, but a wonderful sliding tackle by Le Cornu preventing it.

But the final few minutes of the first half were all Oakleigh’s, with a Steve Pantelidis volley flashing across the face of goal, and a Goran Zoric pass finding new signing Ben Clarke, whose shot cannoned off the crossbar.

Oakleigh started the second half as it finished it, with Clarke running rampant down the right wing.

It almost paid off ten minutes into the second half, with a Clarke ball from the right wing finding Lampros Honos, who forced a solid save out of South ‘keeper Nikola Roganovic.

South pushed back, but was finding it hard to get past a determined Oakleigh backline.

With 15 minutes to go, Oakleigh’s persistence almost paid off through yet another Clarke run.

He broke free, clear on goal, only to be dragged down outside the area by Kristian Konstantinidis, with the South defender earning himself a yellow card.

There were shouts for a penalty but they were denied by the referee, who ruled initial contact was made outside the area.

Oakleigh pushed on, but couldn’t find its way past a solid South defence.

The defending champions had a chance to double their lead late in the game, when an acrobatic scissor kick by golden boot winner Milos Lujic flashed wide of goal.

But it was injury time when the game sparked to life.

Clarke was yet again dragged down by South defenders after making a break past the defence.

The resulting free kick, taken by Dusan Bosnjak, looked destined for the net, only to be touched onto the crossbar by Roganovic, and out for a corner.

An acrobatic double save by Roganovic and a goal line clearance made the points safe for Oakleigh, who seemed cursed in the final third.

The match in front of a 3523-strong crowd at Lakeside Stadium opened Round 1 of the PlayStation 4 NPL Victoria, with attention now turning to Knights Stadium and Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, where Melbourne Knights play Avondale FC, and Bentleigh Greens play North Geelong Warriors on Friday night.

MATCH DETAILS

South Melbourne 1 (Le Cornu 23′ OG) defeated Oakleigh Cannons 0 at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park

South Melbourne: 1. Nikola ROGANOVIC, 2. Tim MALA, 3. Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS, 4. Michael EAGAR, 5. Luke ADAMS, 7. Nick EPIFANO, 9. Milos LUJIC, 20. David STRITON (13. Dane MILOVANOVIC 59’), 11. Brad NORTON, 22. Iqi JAWADI, 27. Leigh MINOPOULOS (17. Andy BRENNAN 73’)

Unused Sub(s): 21 Jason GICCOMINATO, 6. Bonel OBRADOVIC, 15. Cody MARTINDALE,

Yellow Card(s): Kristian KONSTANTINIDIS 75’, Michael EAGAR 21’, Milos LUJIC 60’, Iqi JAWADI 66’

Red Card(s): Nil

Oakleigh Cannons: 76. John HONOS, 18. Adam LE CORNU, 6. Steve PANTELIDIS, 4. Brian VANEGA (8. Dusan BOSNJAK 50’), 7. Ben CLARKE, 2. Adrian CHIAPETTA, 19. Goran ZORIC, 23. Dominic D’ANGELO, 11. Evan CHRISTODOULOU (12. Tremayne SADLER 80’), 10. Dean PIEMONTE (15. Jake McLEAN 70’), 26. Lampros HONOS

Unused Sub(s): 35. Evan KRALOGLOU, 22. George KROMMIDAS

Yellow Card(s): Adam LE CORNU 36’, Adrian CHIAPETTA 46’

Red Card(s): Nil

Mariners Out -> South Melbourne In