Perth SC eye history as NPL WA season kicks off

WA’s most successful soccer team is looking to write another chapter in its already rich history when the NPL WA season kicks off this weekend.

Perth SC, which has won both the league title and the top four cup for the past two years, has its sights set on the rarest of achievements in 2020 as it attempts to go back-to-back-to-back.

In WA soccer history, no team has ever finished top of the table in the regular season and then gone on to win the grand final in three successive seasons, but Perth will attempt to become the first.

The Azzuri will start the season as favourites after they secured the pre-season Night Series crown with a 5-0 win over Floreat Athena last week.

Despite its loss in the Night Series final, Floreat figure to be among Perth’s biggest contenders and is hoping to add another trophy to last season’s Football West FFA Cup.

Last season’s runners-up Inglewood United will also be a threat to the title, as will Balcatta, which brought in a number of big-name signings in the off-season such as James Harmer (Rockingham City) and Daniel Robinson (Cockburn) as the club aims to build on last season’s fourth place finish.

After staving off relegation by the skin of its teeth last season, ECU Joondalup has brought in ex-Perth Glory coach Kenny Lowe to right the ship, while new boys Gwelup Croatia have wasted no time in announcing themselves to the league, adding ex-Perth Glory players Ndumba Makeche and Daniel Stynes, as well as Floreat star Jonathan Stynes.

Football Federation Australia have confirmed all NPL games will proceed this weekend despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

ARMADALE Coach: John O’Reilly Ground: Alfred Skeet Reserve Last Season: 10th Key Player: Roberto Soares

Armadale Under 20’s coach Alan Armstrong said the club was looking to establish themselves as a progressive team willing to fight to the end.

“With preseason training coming to an end this week I am really proud to see the growth in the playing squad and can only encourage our supporters to get behind the team as we are raring to go,” he said.

BALCATTA Coach: Bobby Taneski Ground: Grindleford Reserve Last Season: 4th Key Player: Adam Zimarino

Balcatta’s Callum O’Connell said the influx of new players had settled in well and they would play a key part in determining their fortunes this season.

“We’re trying to create a really positive environment they feel comfortable in. They were bought in for a reason, to add value to our team,” he said.

BAYSWATER CITY Coach: Chris Coyne Ground: Frank Drago Reserve Last Season: 5th Key Player: Luke Salmon Ins: Dean Cummings, Gomo Dukuly, David Stokoe, Danny Jones, Luke Salmon, Zayd Farah, Riley Warland and Hayden Brown. Out: N/A.

Bayswater City coach Chris Coyne said he expected the team would be able to improve on last year’s 5th-paced finish.

“We have recruited well and we are a much younger squad, but I believe with hardwork and application we will be a much tougher proposition this year,” he said.

He highlighted new signing Luke Salmon as the side’s key man, and tipped him to establish himself as one of the league’s best players.

“If he can get and keep himself super fit I can see him being pushing on and becoming one of the best players not only in the state but push on to higher levels.”

COCKBURN CITY Coach: Scott Miller Ground: Dalmatinac Park Last Season: 7th Key Player: Julian Teles.

Cockburn City’s Euan Grant believed the key to his side’s season was consistency and a fresh bill of health.

“Our luck with injuries (is key), keeping a few boys fit will be good for us this year and consistency,” he said.

ECU JOONDALUP Coach: Kenny Lowe Ground: ECU Joondalup Last Year: 11th Key Player: Ryan Lowry Ins: Ryan Lowry, Danny Hodgson, Ellis Healing, Harry Evans, Sam Riak, Ross Millard, Rene Kisesa Outs: Joe Knowles

Incoming ECU Joondalup coach Kenny Lowe was quick to spruik their new signings and was looking forward to a promising campaign.

“We have a good mix of experienced players and have some talented youngsters in the squad too, and we have worked really hard in the pre-season and are improving with each game,” he said.

“We have made a number of signings, with Ryan Lowry returning from A-League side Wellington Phoenix and Ross Millard joining from Bayswater to bolster our defence, while

Danny Hodgson, Harry Evans, Sam Riak and Ellis Healing will give us a focus up front.”

Goalkeeper Johnny Perkins said Lowe had already made a huge impact on the squad.

“After the first 10-15 minutes you could see he’s worked at the highest level and there’s a reason for that,” he said.

“He breaks things down really well for players and there’s a real understanding of what’s expected of people, there’s no guesswork; everyone knows their job.”

FLOREAT ATHENA Coach: Ante Kovacevic Ground: E&D Litis Stadium Last Year: 3rd Key Player: Sean McManus

New Floreat head coach Ante Kovacevic said as always, the club was aiming for winning for football and silverware.

“A club like Floreat Athena prides itself on success every year and this season will be no different. We have a good squad made up of experience and youth with one common attribute among them all which is hunger for success,” he said.

“With several players joining the squad this season, the standout recruits are Sean McManus (from Bayswater) and Liam Murray (Perth Glory Youth).

“A lot is expected from the two young players who can both create and score goals, and we will look to have a major impact on the team throughout the year.”

GWELUP CROATIA Coach: Taki Nicolaidis Ground: Croatian Sporting Complex. Last Year: Won Division One Key Player: Jonathan Stynes

Gwelup coach Taki Nicolaidis said the club had no expectations heading into their maiden NPL season, but believed they had the weapons in their arsenal to avoid relegation.

“The competition will be a lot stronger than what we’ve been previously used to, but our competitive nature is wanting to win as many games as possible in the league and hope to have another good run in the FFA Cup,” he said.

“We have been very active during the off-season in assembling a competitive squad for the upcoming season. The focus will be on the entire group playing their roles to the best of their ability if we are to have any success in 2020.”

INGLEWOOD UNITED Coach: Andres Oliveira Ground: Perth Plasterboard Centre Stadium Last season: 2nd (lost in the Grand Final) Key Player: Robert Petkov

Inglewood’s David Cyrus said his side were ready for the long season and aiming to go one better than last year.

“Everyone wants to win a trophy and it’s the same again. It’s a long season, we’ll dig deep and go for gold.”

PERTH GLORY Coach: Richard Garcia Ground: Hartfield Park Last season: 8th Key Player: Ciaran Bramwell

Ex-Hull City winger and Glory coach Richard Garcia said he was targeting a top-four finish for the side’s youth outfit and Ciaran Bramwell would be central to their chances.

“He enjoyed a great National Youth League season and I’m sure he’ll continue that electrifying form into this year’s NPL,” he said.

PERTH SC Coach: Ramon Falzon Ground: Dorrien Gardens Last Season: 1st place, won Grand Final Key Player: Michael Domfeh

Perth star Jordan de Leo said the team was not resting on its laurels and was fully focused on the task at hand.

“We’ve had the same pre-season we’ve had for the past four years; our coach Marc Wingell runs that and drills us hard from December,” he said.

“The boys are fit and I think it was reflected in the way we played in the Night Series.”

The captain credited the club for its efforts to ensure consistency from season to season as a key ingredient in their sustained success.

“The guys on the board, the coaching staff, all those guys do a good job of selecting players coming to the club,” he said.

“They look at if they’re going to fit the personalities and everyone at the club is very easy-going; it’s very family-orientated.

“It starts there and when you’re able to build that chemistry and cohesion, it correlates on to the pitch quite nicely.”

ROCKINGHAM CITY Coach: Gary Christie Ground: Lark Hill Sporting Complex Last Season: 9th Key Player: Ryan Kennedy

SORRENTO FC Coach: Jamie Harnwell Ground: Percy Doyle Reserve Last Season: 6th Key Player: Reece Vittiglia

Sorrento coach Jamie Harnwell said they were targeting top four once more this season.

“Whilst some players have left from last season, we have been able to bring in some real quality and experience to supplement our existing playing group and also have some exciting youngsters coming through. It’s been a few years now since the club has won a trophy and we are aiming to put that right.”

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