NPL Wrap: Canberra kicks off with huge result, sensational strike in Northern NSW

National Premier Leagues action is underway in the nation’s capital and it was Canberra Olympic who stole the show in round one’s season opener.

Olympic hammered Canberra FC 3-0 in a rematch of the 2018 Grand Final, with an Andre Jancevski double and a goal from Stephen Domenici issuing a powerful message of intent.

Elsewhere, Monaro Panthers finished the opening weekend on top having commenced their campaign with a resounding 4-1 win over Riverina Rhinos.

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Featured image: NPL Capital Football

Canberra Olympic were too strong in their NPL season opener

Western Australia

Balcatta lead the way in Western Australia, with a 1-0 triumph over Cockburn City at the weekend meaning they usurp Perth SC and Perth Glory at the NPL WA summit.

There was also a big win for Rockingham City, who hammered Stirling Lions 5-0.

Rockingham skipper James Harmer netted a treble in that one – watch his exclusive interview with Football West below.

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Rockingham City captain James Harmer

New South Wales

Wollongong Wolves have been the early success story in New South Wales, and the South Coast outfit underlined their championship credentials with a 2-0 win over reigning champions Sydney Olympic at Belmore on Sunday evening.

Darcy Madden and former Western Sydney Wanderers striker Lachlan Scott were on the scoresheet for Wolves, continuing a strong start to the season for Wolves coach and ex-Caltex Socceroo Luke Wilkshire.

The Wolves sit one point above second-placed APIA Leichhardt Tigers, who hammered Rockdale City Suns 4-0 earlier in the day.

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APIA Leichhardt are hot on the tail of Wollongong Wolves

Victoria

Competition front-runners Avondale have started like a house on fire, but they dropped their first points of the NPL Victoria campaign after drawing 1-1 with FC Hume City.

Striker Liam Boland opened the scoring from the penalty spot – his 10th of the campaign – but the Avengers were pegged back when Theodore Markelis capitalised on a horror mix up at the back early in the second half.

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Northern NSW

Former Hyundai A-League player Josh Rose was once again the star for Edgeworth Eagles, hitting a late strike to defeat Hamilton Olympic 2-1 on Saturday.

Rose, 37, who played more than 200 games in the top tier for New Zealand Knights, Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners, struck in the 74th minute to give Edgeworth their first win since Round 1.

Earlier, Hamilton’s international signing Shinichi Kawachi had equalised with one of the contenders for goal of the season.

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Queensland

Peninsula Power remain perfect in the NPL Queensland, defeating SWQ Thunder 3-1 to make it 10 wins on the trot.

Two goals for Thomas Strickland headlined another dominant performance from the Power, who are seven points ahead of second-placed Gold Coast Knights at the summit.

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Tasmania

Devonport notched a big 1-0 win on the road against fellow NPL Tasmania heavyweights South Hobart on Sunday, with Miles Barnard’s second-half strike pushing the Strikers five points clear of their title rivals.

CLICK HERE to go to the Tasmania NPL home page.

Prolific Devonport forward Miles Barnard. Credit: Solstice Digital
Prolific Devonport forward Miles Barnard. Credit: Solstice Digital