The PlayStation NPL 2015 season is just around the corner, and in Northern New South Wales it is one that is promising to be the biggest and best ever seen in the Hunter.
After a stellar season in the National Youth League (NYL) the Newcastle Jets Youth continued that form to be crowned Premiers of the inaugural NPL in season 2014. This year’s NYL form has been inconsistent so time will tell what that means for their NPL season ahead.
Grand Final winners Lambton Jaffas have lost some key personnel with Kale Bradbury and Dino Fajkovic defecting to rivals Broadmeadow Magic FC and Goalkeeper Danny Ireland to Hamilton Olympic FC who ironically lost their goalkeeper of 2014 in Brad Swancott to Lambton.
Weston Workers Bears the 2014 Grand Final runners up parted ways with 2014 Coach of the Year, Steve Piggott, and Player of the year, Connor Evans, in the off-season. They have been busy on the recruitment front with key signings James Monie from Hamilton and former Bear Joel Hardwick from the NSW NPL.
After surprisingly unsuccessful seasons in 2014, Broadmeadow Magic and Hamilton Olympic’s intentions are clear, with Olympic signing South Cardiff’s Jamie Byrnes and Ireland, and Magic signing Bradbury & Fajkovic along with relegated Lake Macquaries goalkeeper Nathan Archbold and Newcastle Jets Youth Player Michael Finlayson.
Adamstown Rosebuds have also struck gold with the signings of Stuart Musialik, who also helped the Newcastle Jets win the A-League Grand Final in 2008, and Garry Kenneth, who in that same year took the pitch against a Barcelona side boasting the likes of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry.
Charlestown City Blues, Edgeworth Eagles & South Cardiff will be relying on similar squads to season 2014 and the development of players from their Youth Football programs.
Newcomers Maitland FC dominated all before them in the 2014 NEWFM 1st Division, losing just one game all season and will look to continue this in 2015. To add to the quality they possess all over the park, they have signed midfielder Matt Thompson, a former Socceroo who helped the Newcastle Jets win the A-League Grand Final in 2008.
There is already a keen sense of anticipation around the 2015 PS4 National Premier League season, with the competition expected to get off to a flying start with several “rivalry” matches in round one commencing with Edgeworth hosting Charlestown at Jack McLaughlan Oval at 8.30pm on Friday 10th April.