On the eve of the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2014 Finals Series, find out a bit more about the eight combatants vying to be crowned 2014 NPL Champions.
Weston Workers (Northern NSW Football)
In the big Saturday night clash, which will be streamed online, Weston Workers will be aiming to pick themselves up after their grand final loss when they host National Premier Leagues Queensland’s Palm Beach Sharks.
The Bears enjoyed a terrific season and were only pipped at the post for top spot by two points behind the Newcastle Jets Youth Team. However, Weston would qualify for the PlayStation NPL 2014 Finals Series as youth teams are ineligible.
Coach Steven Piggott
Key Players
2. Nathan Morris - A 210 plus game veteran of the club, the central defender is widely regarded as the best dead ball specialist in the NPL Northern NSW Football competition.
13. Carl Thornton - The captain and one of the best defenders in the league whose actions on the field lead by example.
11. Jamie Subat - A lively striker or winger who always takes a ‘no holds barred’ approach into every match and won’t give an inch, he will be looking to take his good league form into the Finals Series.
Season Record (excluding finals)
Played 18; 9 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses
Goals scored 35
Goals conceded 30
Summary
Coach Steven Piggott can be credited for orchestrating much of Weston’s success this season. A wily tactician, Piggott is renowned to do his homework on opposition teams and will be hoping he can mastermind a victory over a formidable Sharks outfit.
If the Bears are to make it past this weekend, they will need to do it without arguably their best player Connor Evans who is suspended after being sent off in stoppage time of the grand final loss.
Website
Weston Workers Northern NSW Football
Click here to visit the official match centre.
Palm Beach Sharks (Football Queensland)
The standout team in the National Premier Leagues Football Queensland head to Rockwell Automation Park for a date with Weston Workers.
The Sharks won the Premiership/Championship double in 2014, finishing seven points clear of their nearest rival at the end of the regular season and would fancy their chances against the Bears, but know they’ve got it all in front of them to get past a Weston side playing at home.
Coach Grae Piddick
Key Players
9. Chris Lucas - The former Gold Coast United Youth Team striker came second in the golden boot with 33 goals during the regular season before adding two more in the Sharks’ grand final win. Quick and tenacious, he is a handful for defenders.
7. Justyn McKay - Palm Beach’s captain and spiritual leader. A central midfielder and playmaker who spent time at English club Swindon, he pulls the strings in the middle of the park and much of the Sharks’ play comes through him.
17. Kristian Rees and 23. Karl Dodd - It would be unfair to mention one and not the other. The central defensive pairing with Hyundai A-League experience have been the Sharks’ pillars at the back. In a league that is renowned for high scoring matches and lots of them, their ability together with goalkeeper Shane Vitakangas to keep 12 clean sheets throughout the season was a major factor in Palm Beach’s success.
Season record (excluding finals)
Played 26; 17 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses
Goals scored 73
Goals conceded 29
Summary
The only club competing in the PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series who is still also in the Westfield FFA Cup, the Sharks have built their success around an exceptional ability to absorb pressure and then pounce on the counter. One of the big questions will be how coach Grae Piddick manages his charges for the match against Weston followed by their FFA Cup match against South Springvale on Tuesday night.
Website
Palm Beach Sharks Football Queensland
Click here to visit the official match centre.
Cooma Tigers (Capital Football)
Cooma Tigers will play host to Football NSW representative Bonnyrigg White Eagles. Established in 1952, Cooma claimed their maiden title this year, scoring an impressive 54 goals from their 16 matches and finishing five points clear of Belconnen United.
Coach Gaby Wilk
Key Players
Cooma’s front three were integral in the Tigers taking all before them during the regular season in 2014.
9. Robbie Cattanach - Cattanach, a forward from Manly United, was a major focal point.
11. Steve Dominici - The league’s leading scorer in 2014, he found the back of the net 16 times.
7. Goran Josifovski - Scored twice in the league decider and 13 time for the season, he is a club legend at the Tigers.
Other players to keep an eye out for include right sided defender Iain Elliott, midfielder Dom Colucello and Dejan Santrac.
Season record (excluding finals)
Played 16; 13 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
Goals scored 54
Goals conceded 17
Summary
Cooma become the second Capital Football club to compete in the PlayStation 4 Finals Series and the first to get to host a game in the ACT. Their challenge of overcoming Bonnyrigg has not been helped by the fact that their coach Gaby Wilk is suspended after being sent to the stands late on in their last outing which ended in a 3-0 loss to Canberra FC. Still, the Tigers have proven when they are up and about they can match it with the best of them.
Website
Click here to visit the official match centre.
Bonnyrigg White Eagles (Football NSW)
After upstaging all of the other the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 contenders, Bonnyrigg head to the nation’s capital to face Cooma Tigers. A stoppage time goal from striker Robbie Younis in the final round saw them finish one point ahead of Blacktown Spartans.
Coach Brian Brown
Key Players
5. Chris Tadrosse - Known for his crossing ability and big aerobic capacity, the left back can turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
18. Adrian Ucchino - The brains trust in midfield, he is the instigator of many of the side’s attacking raids.
9. Robert Younis - A prolific goal scorer who has an instinct for finding the back of the net, he won the Golden Boot again in 2014 and it was his last gasp goal in the final round that saw Bonnyrigg crowned Premiers.
1. James Chronopoulos - A solid, sturdy shot stopper from Marconi who filled the shoes of Matthew Nash without a hiccup and did his bit to help Bonnyrigg qualify for the Finals Series.
Season record (excluding finals)
Played 22; 15 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses
Goals scored 41
Goals conceded 21
Summary
With an experienced coach at the helm who knows how the league works, Bonnyrigg kicked into gear when it mattered most, turning it on in the last 7-8 rounds. One of Bonnyrigg’s strengths is that they have managed to keep a core group of players together for an extended period and Brown has them well drilled and moulded them into a team that is hard to beat.
Website
Bonnyrigg White Eagles Football NSW
Click here to visit the official match centre.
South Hobart (Football Federation Tasmania)
Saturday’s first match, which kicks off at 1.30pm (AEST), will pit last year’s National Premier Leagues runners-up, South Hobart, against National Premier Leagues Football Federation Victoria Premiers South Melbourne FC in the Tasmanian capital.
To sum up South Hobart’s season in a word, it would be domination as they won the treble – the Lakoseljac Cup, Victory League and Victory Cup (finals series).
Coach Ken Morton
Players to watch
3. Caleb Ludlow - The Victorian midfield maestro has been instrumental. Pulls the strings and drives the team in midfield, he is composed, aware and silky on the ball and picks out passes to perfection. Despite not being tall in stature, he is imposing in the contest with an innate ability to prevent opposing forward momentum.
7. Nick Morton - Taken his game to another level in 2014; the son of Coach Ken Morton is a certain starter in the Team of the Year. At just 18 years of age, the young gun has become the number one attacking midfielder in the Victory League, is quick and also a menacing goal threat.
9. Brayden Mann - Regarded as one of the Tasmania’s very best. Back to back Victory League PFD Golden Boots speaks for itself as he amassed 31 goals this season, which included four hat tricks and a four goal haul.
10. Andy Brennan - Has consistently dismantled teams and is one of the most exciting players in the league. Netting 26 goals this season, he has played as an explosive wingback as well as up front in tandem with Mann.
Season record (excluding finals)
Played 21; 18 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses
Goals scored 89
Goals conceded 18
Website
South Hobart Football Federation Tasmania
@SouthHobartFC @FootballFedTas
Summary
The only club to feature in consecutive PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Finals Series, South Hobart will be hoping to go one better in 2014 after finishing runners up to Sydney United 58 FC in last year’s decider. Having become used to winning, the club would have been disappointed to get knocked out at the Round of 32 stage of the Westfield FFA Cup and are sure to use that as extra motivation to show they can compete with the best NPL clubs from the mainland.
Click here to visit the official match centre.
South Melbourne FC (Football Federation Victoria)
South Melbourne will make the trip across the Tasman to face South Hobart in one of the weekend’s eagerly anticipated encounters (which will also be streamed online). Finished seven points clear on top of the table and will relish the opportunity to perform on the national stage.
Coach Chris Taylor
Key players
8. Mathew Theodore - Whether it’s got to do with him being short in stature, the midfielder often goes under the radar. A work horse who runs all day and is the engine in midfield, he also knows how to find the back of the net.
9. Milos Lujic - The 2014 NPL Football Federation Victoria Golden Boot winner with a tally of 22 for the season, his potency is evidenced by the fact he finished four goals clear of his nearest rival. Spent a fortnight on Wellington Phoenix’s roster last season and is one that would certainly be monitored by some Hyundai A-League clubs.
7. Nick Epifano - The 20 year old winger is a menace up and down the flank. He scores goals, sets them up and is widely recognised as one of the brightest young stars in Victoria.
Season record (excluding finals)
Played 26; 21 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses
Goals scored 59
Goals against 22
Website
South Melbourne Football Federation Victoria
Summary
The former NSL powerhouse has made it clear of its intention to go all the way in the Finals Series, particularly with the added incentive of securing a spot in next year’s Westfield FFA Cup. Many would suggest they will be hard to stop but they must first counter a tough first up test against South Hobart.
Click here to visit the official match centre.
Bayswater City (Football West)
Football West’s Bayswater City is at home to MetroStars SC in the Elimination Finals. Bayswater won everything there was to win in NPL Western Australia this year, claiming an unprecedented four pieces of silverware.
Coach Chris Coyne
Key Players
9. Gustavo Giron Marulanda - A lively, tricky customer, the forward with Columbian heritage scored the winner to get them into the grand final in extra time.
21. David Heagney - A former professional in the United Kingdon, he is another of Bayswater’s forward brogade with excellent attacking ability.
16. Jamie Coyne - Formerly of Hyundai A-League clubs Melbourne Heart and Perth Glory, the highly experienced campaigner is a vital component in Bayswater’s lineup. Spent the majority of the season patrolling the midfield but can also play in defence.
Season Record (excluding finals)
Played 22; 16 wins, 3 draws, 3 losses
Goals scored 53
Goals conceded 20
Website
@BayswaterCitySC @FootballWest
Summary
It is no secret Bayswater City has a plethora of quality across the board, which has been a key factor behind why have been so dominant over in the west. Maybe it’s the pulling power of coach Chris Coyne in being able to attract talented players to the club, will prove a difficult proposition especially at home.
Similar to South Hobart, will also see this as an opportunity to make amends for their elimination in the Round of 32 of the Westfield FFA Cup.
Click here to visit the official match centre.
MetroStars SC (Football Federation South Australia)
MetroStars SC have a tough assignment as they head west to face Bayswater City in Perth. Much of MetroStars SC’s success this year could be attributed to the fact that they were easily the most consistent team across the course of the season. They finished eight points and three wins clear of their nearest rival to easily be the standout team in the City of Churches.
Coach Ivan Karlovic
Key Players
6. Anthony Solagna - Described as an elegant and smooth moving midfielder, he is one of the most technically gifted players in the NPL South Australia.
20. Daniel Godley - The veteran goalkeeper proved largely impenetrable this season. The only keeper in the league to play all 26 matches, in which he kept clean sheets in 12 of them.
23. Perry Mitris - The NPL South Australia Golden Boot courtesy of his 22 goal haul during the regular season, the former Adelaide United Youth Team winger had a stellar year. Skilful on the ball, he peaked at the right time, scoring 11 goals in the last eight games.
Season Record (excluding finals)
Played 26; 19 wins, 4 draws, 3 losses
Goals scored 63
Goals conceded 19
Website
Summary
With a coach that always seemed tactically ahead of the game, MetroStars have impressive squad depth. They will also carry plenty of motivation into the Finals Series after being edged out by Croydon Kings in the grand final coupled with coach Ivan Karlovic announcing he would not be going on in the role next year.
Click here to visit the official match centre.