NSW NPL 2024 Season Preview

As the NSW National Premier Leagues (NPL) gears up for another thrilling season, anticipation is high among fans and players alike. With clubs vying for supremacy on the field and the chance to lift the coveted trophy, the competition promises to be fiercely contested.

The finals have made a comeback, meaning that players will have to wait a few extra weeks before planning their end of season trips to Bali once again.

Newly promoted Hills United and St George FC look set to make a statement this year, both teams will be eager to not head straight back down to State League One, but will they be successful?

This season will feature 16 teams once again, meaning 30 rounds of the regular season with a top 6 finals series.

APIA Leichhardt FC

NST bound in 2025, APIA will be eager to impress this season to show that they have what it takes to compete on a national stage next year. Coach and club legend Franco Parisi will be keen to do the double and go back to back Premiers with the assistance of strong goalscorers such as Armson and Stewart whilst relying on the Symons brothers once again to lead the squad to glory.

Marconi Stallions

Another of our NST sides for next season, Marconi will be looking to improve on their 4th place finish from last year as they look set to prove that they belong in a national competition once again. Peter Tsekenis is taking the reigns once again and has bolstered his squad with the signing of James Tamelovski from MetroStars, who was the SA NPL golden boot.

Sydney United 58

The third of the foundation NST clubs from NSW, Sydney United will be hopeful of avoiding a repeat of their disappointing 2023 campaign that saw the side finish an uncharacteristic 10th. Zjelko Kalac takes over the role of gaffa once again, is he the man to lead the team back to the top? Vlastelica, Tomelic and the SUS sure hope so.

Wollongong Wolves

Yes, another 2025 NST club. After losing star player Marcus Beattie, the Wolves have added Dylan Ryan to their squad from FC Den Bosch as well as a notorious A-League keeper – Vedran Janjetovic. David Carney once again is in charge of the side with Lachlan Scott at captain. The Wolves have improved their side from last season and will look to improve on their 7th place finish.

Sydney Olympic

The last of the NST clubs finally. Sydney Olympic recently defeated fellow Greek NST entrants South Melbourne 1-0 in the Greek Herald Cup and participated in the Hellenic Cup in Brisbane. Labinot Haliti will be desperate to take the side to the finals, a side that features a roster of former A-League talent such as Roy O’Donovan, George Timotheou and Ziggy Gordon. Jaden Casella has also joined the club from Rockdale, adding extra fire power out on the wing. Can these NST clubs all prove they deserve their spot in the national competition on the pitch?

Blacktown City

Always up near the top of the table, Blacktown have been one of the more consistent NSW NPL sides over the last decade. Critto once again coaching the side he’s become so familiar with. Star names such as Shabow, Mallia, Choi and Major look set to be leaders once again, with gun Joey Gibbs coming back from Iceland to lead the attack. Expect to see this side battling for the premiership once again.

Rockdale Illinden

Last seasons runners up, Rockdale will have their eyes set on top spot, set to prove they should have been one of the clubs from NSW to go national next season. Paul Dee will be hopeful that the signing of former A-League player Najjar will up the goal tally, with captain Urosevski alongside him looking to once again claim the golden boot after 27 goals in 30 games last season. Much like Blacktown, expect Rockdale to be up there again this season, especially with the Speranza brothers signing from Marconi.

Hills United

Our first of the newly promoted sides, Hills topped League One last season earning automatic promotion to the NPL for this year. They will be desperate to avoid becoming another statistic of clubs heading straight back down, and the signings of Lopez from the Wanderers and Nicolai Muller may prove crucial in their bid to not only stay afloat, but be competitive and challenge for a finals spot.

Sutherland Sharks

After a dreadful season last year where they were lucky to finish 14th, Sutherland are hoping that they can improve and be competitive once again. Steven Zoric was able to retain Mitch Stamatellis and sign goalkeeper Nenad Vekic from their M1 rivals. Expected to stay up once again, however would be in doubt to make the finals.

St George FC

Our second promoted team from League One last season, St George defeated Rangers in the play offs to secure their promotion. St George is a team that will be looking to stay up much like their former League One counterparts in Hills, however it would be an impressive feat.

St George City

A surprising finish last season, earning 5th and what would have been a finals spot, the side were promoted to NPL in 2023 and proved right out of the gates that they belong. Jason Romero has been signed from APIA in a major coup whilst the Petratos brothers will be eager to show their talents as the side looks to push for a finals spot once again. It may be harder this year as the NST sides have opened their chequebooks up, however if any team can compete with the big names, its St George City.

NWS Spirit

Perko takes the side again this season and big name signings Bouzoukis and Whitworth will be expected to make an impact right out of the gate as the team is set to push for the finals or at minimum, improve on last season.

Manly United

2023 mid table side Manly United last won a trophy in 2017 where they finished champions. Patrick Zwaanswijk has been trusted with the reigns again this season as he looks to lead the Northern Sydney side to the finals after missing out last season and only losing the premiership to Sydney Olympic on GD in 2022. Watch with interest, however hard to see them make a big splash when there are so many clubs out to prove themselves.

WSW Academy

A-League academy sides are always a mixed bag. Expect to see a strong start followed by a drop once contracts expire in May. Young squad with not a whole lot of experience in NPL, but will be bolstered by 1st grade squaddies that don’t make the cut…. depending on how many red cards the club continues to accumulate.

Sydney FC Academy

A club thats spent more time at the top flight in NSW than their cross town rivals. Same deal with the contracts expiring in May and a side full of youth. They do have the added benefit of less red cards, meaning less of their players needing to be called up to A-League.

CCM Academy

Another of the lower finisher last season, ending their campaign in 11th. Vilela is stepping up to manage the team this season and will be hoping that their new recruit Luka Smyth from Sydney FC will keep them out of a relegation battle.