SOUTH Melbourne coach Chris Taylor says his side is hellbent on defending its National Premier League Victoria title and making the Round of 32 of the FFA Cup this season.

The former National Soccer League powerhouse last year won its first Victorian title since 2006 and will kick off the defence of its crown against last year’s runner-up, Oakleigh Cannons, at Lakeside Stadium on Friday.

Taylor hasn’t rested on his laurels during the off-season, bringing in 10 new players, including former Adelaide United midfielder Jake Barker-Daish, and started its campaign with a 2-1 win over Melbourne Knights in last week’s Community Shield.

And after missing out on the inaugural FFA Cup last year, Taylor said making waves in the national knockout competition is also a priority this season.


“We understand we’re the measuring stick for the league now, so we wanted to improve to try and go back-to-back in the league,” Taylor said.

“Also the FFA Cup is that added attraction, so that’s one of the big things we’re targeting this year as well.

“We know there’s going to be some stiff opposition — Bentleigh has recruited well, Oakleigh has recruited well and there’s two or three others that have also improved — so we know it’s not going to be easy, but we also feel that we’re up for the challenge.”

By winning NPL1 last season, Avondale earnt promotion to the Victorian top flight for the first time in its history.

Its Round 1 clash is against Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium tomorrow night and assistant coach Adam Inglese said there could be no better introduction in to the competition.

“It’s huge for the club,” Inglese said.

“It’s been a lot of work to get to this stage, but now we can celebrate it and hopefully have a good season.

“Melbourne Knights is a huge club with a very proud history, they’ve been at the top level in the old NSL, so for us it’s an honour to be in a competition with these guys.

“But now we’ve got to not only admire them but go out and do the business against them and that’s what we’re looking forward to doing.”