Soccer set for super season


Soccer set for super season

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Soccer set for super season

GREGOR MACTAGGART

April 9th, 2010

TONIGHT marks the start of the 2010 Habitat Premier League season with a blockbuster re-match of last season's grand final between Casuarina and Hellenic.

Rowdies won the 2009 decider 5-0 and go into the season as warm favourites, even though they suffered a surprise President's Cup Final defeat to Darwin Olympic.

It promises to be a big year for the world game in the Top End, with an extended 21-round season and more incentive to win the premiership (first past the post) due to a improved cash prize in addition to glory.

Northern Territory News soccer writer Gregor Mactaggart and Football Federation NT chief Bill Kostandas are joined by the Football Insider to run the rule on all eight top-flight clubs.

CASUARINA

Last year: First (Champions). Coach: Luis Rodrigues. In: Gordon Perreira, Marino Perreira, Rhys Chin, Tony Casimiro. Out: Murray Nicholls. Player to watch: Iman Mukhlis.

Gregor's view: Casuarina is Northern Zone football's benchmark club. The status quo of last year's treble-winning side is there, but the departure of the league's most valuable player Nicholls is a loss. Still, the Rowdies will make their presence felt in season 2010.

Bill's view: Casuarina will definitely finish in the top two and earn a grand final spot. They are the most consistent team in the Habitat Premier League.

Insider's view: Casuarina's bad games are not bad games for most other clubs. They are a very well-drilled football team, it's very hard to see them finishing anywhere else but in the top two.

HELLENIC

Last year: Second. Coach: Peter Politis. In: Robbie Kilmartin, Jason Williams, Helio Carvalho, Pedro Stefanidakis, Dale Motter, Tony Yiannokos. Out: Theo Rossides. Player to watch: Robbie Kilmartin.

Gregor's view: Made great strides under Pedro Stefanidakis in 2009, coming from obscurity to be grand finalists. His assistant Peter Politis takes over, so there should be a fairly seamless transition. The Blues have certainly recruited well.

Bill's view: Definite top four team and knocking on the door of the top two again. When on song, they are the best team to watch in Darwin. A great attacking unit.

Insider's view: They've increased their list from last year, the big question will be if they can keep everyone happy. It's going to be a juggling act for new coach Politis. They also have the Pedro factor, he's the "raging bull".

DARWIN OLYMPIC

Last year: Third. Coach: Steve Lolias. In: Matt Byrd, Felicio Guterres, Michael Camilleri, Themeli Magriplis, Matt Goodwin, Gary Molloy, Dean Molloy, Paddy McGuire, Josh Hughes. Out: Jason Williams, Dimi Dionysiou, Dave Wagner, Michael Prentice, Con Delo.

Gregor's view: The Reds couldn't have started 2010 in better fashion than lifting the President's Cup. The ins look strong and new coach Lolias has the team playing structured football. Olympic appear highly capable of ending Casuarina's reign.

Bill's view: Impressive pre-season. If Mitch Amidy continues goalscoring form then they are a top two team.

Insider's view: For me, Olympic are Darwin's version of Real Madrid's Galacticos after a major off-season recruiting drive. New coach Steve Lolias has already provided the midas touch and they're my tip as premiers.

PORT DARWIN

Last year: Fourth. Coach: Michael Gerakios. In: Con Delo, Andoni Tsapalianas, Antonios Veziropoulos, Nick Ponikis, Robert Cull. Out: Helio Carvalho, Mark O'Connor, Felicio Guterres.

Gregor's view: You really know what you are going to get with Port Darwin week-in, week out. That consistency is a real feature of their play. Much rests on skipper Dylan Dale's shoulders - he's their talisman. They have lost a couple of game breakers in Carvalho and Guterres.

Bill's view: Top four, they are a pretty hard nut to crack and are a well-organised unit.

Insider's view: For the first time in a long time they won't make the finals. Helio and Felicio are two major losses. They may lack a bit of power up front, but are very strong at the back with Steve Drysdale marshalling the defence.

NAKARA AZZURRI-UNIVERSITY RANGERS

Last year: Fifth (as Nakara Azzurri). Coach: Robbie D'Arrigo. In: Vageli Avramidis, Joe Buckley, Brian Sheridan, Nick Makrylos, Riley Pedler. Out: Matt Byrd, Scott Brown.

Gregor's view: Just missed out on the finals last year and the word around the traps is that they are desperate to go at least one step better. Much rests on how the newly merged club jells, even though Azzurri will provide the bulk of the team.

Bill's view: They will be knocking on the door of the top four. Get the feeling it will be either them or Port Darwin for that last finals place.

Insider's view: Their new name is a mouthful, but the Rangers have recruited well and the word around the traps is there will be a few new signings to come. Avramidis is a very good pick-up.

MINDIL FC

Last year: Sixth (as Padres). Coach: Tino Calabro. In: Ray Chueng, Rui Pereira. Out: None.

Gregor's view: Mindil are the chameleons of the competition. Their pre-season featured great contrasts, an 8-1 thumping of Uni Rangers before being pumped 8-0 by Olympic a week later. The likes of Freddie Cardellini and playmaker Adrian Murphy need to have big years.

Bill's view: Mindil will be competitive and could be knocking on the door. It's great to see they have merged to be the one club and provide a complete pathway from juniors to premier league football.

Insider's view: They have pretty much the same team as last year and improved with their recruits. Seventh looks a good spot for them. They have quality junior teams, but are still a couple of years away from being a force.

DARWIN DRAGONS

Last year: Seventh. Coach: George Singh. In: Roland N'Sangou, Reuben Karpeh, Tony Roach, Sachin Naidu, Wayne Miller, Peja Milenkovic. Out: Chris Doak.

Gregor's view: An unknown quality. Very keen to see how Cameroon player N'Sangou performs. If he has a big year it should spear the Dragons up the ladder.

Bill's view: They will find it tough, but are highly capable of causing the odd upset along the way.

Insider's view: Wooden-spooners. Always a hard team to play against, but usually you come away with the three points. Hard to see them not finishing on the bottom with Palmerston improved.

PALMERSTON

Last year: Eighth (wooden-spooners). Coach: Terry Daye. In: Franz Kum, Agus Magal, Michael Prentice, Callum Gentle, Ryan Trentham, Alex Brager, Remi Dolame. Out: None.

Gregor's view: They will field a young side and enthusiasm goes a long way, provided there is a bit of quality and experience around it which Daye provides. Prentice looks a good addition and some West Papua players should be enough to see them avoid the wooden-spoon.

Bill's view: The big improvers for me. Signed some good players, but still think they are a bit off the top four. Fifth or six for me.

Insider's view: Expect a better year for Palmerston. Terry Daye is a good operator and the vibe coming out from there is a positive one ahead of the new season.

http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2010/04/09/137981_ntsport.html

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