2010 Season Preview
This
page is designed for the UK to bring everyone up to date with what happened in
2009 after the UK pools coupons finished, with major changes during the close
season and looking ahead to the 2010 season.
VICTORIA
Northcote
City finally returned to the Premier League after a spell of 18 years in
division one and sometimes in even lower divisions. They looked sharp all
season but relied heavily on Trent Rixon who pumped in 17 goals for them. Also
returning to the premier league are Bentleigh Greens who have rebuilt their
side after nearly being relegated just four seasons ago. Dropping down into
division one are the Preston Lions who have enjoyed top flight football for
over 30 years (with a one year exception) but they have lost a few key players
in the recent past and may well struggle this season. British punters last had
a chance to bet on them when they were known as Makedonia – happy memories.
Whittlesea Zebras, who have also undergone a few changes in recent seasons were
the other relegated side. Another familiar name to the British is Frankston
Pines who were relegated for the second successive season and will now play in
division three. Turkish supported Southern Stars, formally Dingley City, were
also relegated to division three. St. Albans Saints, still referred to locally
as Dinamo, lost out by a point on promotion but they had nine points deducted
for breaches of rules and start 2010 with another three point deduction. The
FFV is the only federation that actively uses points deductions as a
disciplinary measure – most others simply fine clubs. The tribunals in
Melbourne seem to drag on and Saints did not know if they were up or staying
put until well after the season ended.
A
word here for the newbies. For some strange reason the UK pools companies call
the Victorian Leagues Divisions One to Seven whereas in truth divisions two and
three are actually the regionalised division two while divisions four and five
are the regionalised division three. Finally what we call divisions six and
seven are the regionalised first division of the Provisional League which is at
the top of the amateur tree. This, therefore, is the reason that teams can
appear to be promoted or relegated two divisions. All clear?
Division
Two saw North Geelong Warriors promoted on goal difference from Thomastown
Devils with whom they had battled all season long. Thomastown, another premier
league side of a few years back now fallen on hard times, merged with the
amateur side Whittlesea Stallions and have formed Whittlesea Ranges. The new
team should perform well in 2010 and could be a firm challenger for the
promotion spot. Another newcomer to division two is Port Melbourne Sharks who
haven’t been promoted just moved across from another region which is called
division three over in the UK. Werribee City will be another name to contend
with after finishing a disappointing third last time out but they have been
defeated only 12 times in the past four years. They have lost leading scorer
Martin Collins to Whittlesea but retained their stalwart striker Joe Spiteri.
Down
in division three it looks very open but Eastern Lions and Morwell-Pegasus, two
mid table teams in 2009 could well produce the results as both have retained
their leading scorers in Oran Harel and Frank Albanese respectively. Meanwhile
South Springvale, who were relegated, have lost their leading scorer, Simon
Groom, to Northcote which is a blow for them. Division four looks again very
open but newcomers Essendon United could cause a stir. They have lost only 9
games in the past 3 seasons and have been promoted every season for the past
three seasons. This division will, however, be their sternest test yet.
In
division five South Springvale, mentioned above, have also lost around 8 other
first team players and may find it difficult to spring back up again and
Boroondara Eagles having narrowly escaped relegation in 2008 dropped to
division seven after a very poor season. They could be a dark horse to bounce
straight back up. Again for newbies North Caulfield, once known as Macabbi,
play in the division but never appear on the coupons as they play all their
games on Sundays for religious reasons. Another familiar name, Avondale
Heights, will appear again in division six after their promotion from provisional
league two. They had previously been relegated two seasons running but rallied
to finish second in 2009, behind North City Lions, and thus gained their place
back in division six.
The
best home sides over the past four seasons are Werribee City with only 5 home
defeats followed by South Yarra with 7. Whilst away Werribee City have lost
only 7 followed by Pascoe Vale with 8 defeats. In terms of draws Werribee City
again lead the way with 53 and if they can only build on their solid defence
and convert the draws to wins they will be a force to reckon with in 2010.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The
regular season was almost over when the pools ended and Campbelltown and
MetroStars were locked at the top of the Super league. The final days games saw
MetroStars take the premiership with a 5:2 thumping of relegation bound Modbury
Jets whilst the Red Devils could only draw. The other relegated side was
Adelaide Hills who returned to the premier league after just one season in the
top flight. Champions for the past four seasons, Adelaide City, had a miserable
year and could only finish fifth but this is Australia and the top five teams
from every division in the south playoff to decide the champions hence after
four games they found themselves in the final against MetroStars. They lost 1:0
which appeared to be some justice as they had finished some 11 points behind
MetroStars in the league. Damian Mori the 39 year old former Socceroo and their
leading scorer in 2009 decided to retire but surprised everyone in March by joining
South Adelaide Panthers down in the state league for a short stint of six
games. Other key departure were Paul Pezos and George Tsonis to Adelaide
Olympic and Chad Bugeja to Blue Eagles to be replaced by MetroStars Daniel
Spagnulo and Queensland Fury player Fred Agius. Meanwhile Para Hills Knights
have signed quite a few players during the close season including Rhys Townsend
from Raiders and Brett Selga from Enfield to strengthen their side down at The
Paddocks. The champions with Michael Matricciani and Scott Tunbridge up front
look favourites to retain their title. Raiders have lost only 4 home league
games in the past four years but have drawn the most at 14 whilst their away
form shows the most draws at 14. A good bet for 2010 coupons?
The
premier league saw Adelaide Cobras promoted along with third placed Cumberland
United who were champions after winning the playoff final against the Cobras on
penalties. Cumberland – the foxes – have signed a few ex Adelaide Hills
players, Daniel Atkins, Charlie Bowman and Damien Puyenbroek and with the
McDonald brothers, Robert and Brenton, up front look to be in business in the
super league. A name disappearing is SASI who have been “promoted” to the
reserve division of the super league. This move means Salisbury United escaped
relegation to the state league which will have only nine teams in 2010 after
the departure of Port Pirie City, after 14 years of state football, to the
amateur league. Clubs don’t like making the twice a season trip north to Port
Pirie to play them and the Northern Demons and some “political” pressure may
have been applied in this move.
In
the premier league Adelaide Comets mean business and have signed a host of
players including Simon Catanzaro from Campbelltown and Nathan Day from Para Hills.
Enfield City, promoted from the state league, have been the second best
performing side over the past 4 seasons losing only 14 of their 74 league games
with only the great Adelaide City having been defeated less. They too have
signed quite a few new players with Jim Stavridas from MetroStars and Adrian
Leet from the Demons being the most significant moves. Salisbury have signed
Steve Stam from Para Hills to add some fire power. West Adelaide, after only
two seasons have climbed into the premier league and the addition of Angelo
Arambatzis and Harry Skoumbros will ensure they are contenders come August for
the title. The reduced state league had little transfer activity, mostly
players leaving for the bigger clubs. Expect few upsets here as there is a mix
of good and bad sides which, baring some surprises, should result in fairly
predictable results.
WEST AUSTRALIA
The premier league was a season long battle between Western
Knights and Perth in which the Knights came out winners with a 5 point lead in
the end which could well have been 8 had they not lost at Dorrien Gardens to
Perth 2:0 on the final day of the season. Perth had their revenge though
winning the Grand Final 2:0 in a match played in 38C in late October. So warm
was it that each half was suspended midway for 4 minutes so that the players
could be hosed down for health and safety reasons. It can only happen in
Australia! Graham Normanton’s Perth side look just as strong as ever for 2010
despite losing striker Phil Arnold but with Daniel Onoforo and Ian McMurray up
front in a developing partnership there wont be too many worries in the camp.
Meanwhile the Knights will be hoping to go one better this season and have
recruited Paul Van Dongen and Simon Versaico from relegated Canning. These two
scored 16 goals between them last season and will team up with Stuart
Montgomery, signed from Sorrento to make a formidable strike force at Nash
Field. With the midfield brothers David and Daniel Micevski looking as strong
as ever the Knights will be the team to beat in 2010. Perth, however, gained
the first blood winning the pre-season Night Series tournament beating the
Knights 2:1 in the final.
Floreat Athena will suffer from the departure of coach Michael
Roki and of forward Josip Magdic and may see a season of rebuilding under new
coach Ante Kovacevic. Their only silverware in 2009 was the cup in a 3:1 win
over Inglewood. ECU Joondalup have secured the services of Phil O’Callaghan
from Stirling Lions. O’Callaghan was joint top scorer last season with David
Onoforo of Perth. Swan United will feel the departure of Aaron Cole to Perth
and the retirement of 33 year old Damian Scali, leading scorer in 2009 for
them, after playing 251 games and scoring 106 goals. Newly promoted Balcatta,
under coach Salv Todaro, wont be a pushover but their squad, despite some
changes during the summer, may not have the depth for them to be anything more
that a mid table team.
With one up and one down the pressure is on at the top of the
first division and favourites must be Wanneroo who finished third in 2008 and
second in2009 and they will be looking to go one better in 2010 and return to
the premier league. Their squad is virtually unchanged from 2009. Morley-
Windmills by contrast have lost nearly all their first team players and have
had to rebuild and could well be prime candidates for the drop into the amateur
Sunday league. Another candidate for the drop will be Queens Park who last
season finished bottom but escaped relegation as the leading amateur side
Stirling Panthers refused promotion. The refusal of the winners of the amateur
title to accept promotion to the semi-pro league has been a feature of the past
few seasons and Football West have now decided to offer the first division
place to the second or even third amateur side if the winners refuse.
Undoubtedly this will add some spice to both the competitions.
Finally South West Phoenix changed their name just prior to
the start of the season to Bunbury Forum Force. Enough said.
TASMANIA
In the north a goal from Paul Bremner gave Northern Rangers
the title in a last day showdown with Devonport City and reversed the final
placings of 2008. With only a handful of draws this league is one to avoid.
Rugby scores can sometime prevail here and on opening day 2010 we had a 13:0
result at Montello as Burnie crushed Launceston United. Meanwhile in the South
it was business as usual with South Hobart again leading home Tilford Zebras.
The statewide cup went to Clarence who defeated Northern Rangers 2:0 in the
final and the state premiership, previously contested by the winners of the
north and south premier leagues, was launched in a new format. The top four
from each league qualified but the south’s dominance prevailed and all the
northern sides went out in the first round with Clarence eventually running out
winners over South Hobart in the final. University were relegated after an
awful season to be replaced by Taroona whist Hobart Olympic changed their name,
and maybe their luck, to Olympia Warriors.