Let’s take a step back from the men’s NPL and Australia Cup competitions and look at the future of Australian footballers.
BYL 1
In the top flight, the Wanderers are once again looking to be the strongest side with their sights on another Youth Club Championship. It’s not really a surprise when you consider how much the A-League side has invested into their development. Pair that with parents wanting to get their kids into an A-League academy and you have a recipe for success and really, this is how it should be with the professional clubs leading the way in youth development.
SD Raiders and APIA are keeping themselves in the fight however, two clubs that have big aspirations for the future, particularly APIA with NST next year. It will be interesting to see how the NST sides handle their youth development in the future, considering the majority of the players are likely to be under 23s.
In terms of relegation, we’re looking at it going down to the wire, with a potential for a final round fight to survive. Sutherland Sharks will be hoping that the recent appointment of Paul Reid will help them in their fight for survival, whilst Wollongong Wolves are looking ahead at Blacktown City and NWS Spirit who are just outside of the relegation zone.
BYL 2
Macarthur Bulls and Northern Tigers are in a very strong position for promotion at this stage. Bulls will be desperate as an A-League academy side to participate in the BYL1 next year to attract more talent to their club. Dunbar, Hakoah and Rams are right behind and ready to pounce should the top 2 sides slip up.
A huge shoutout to Dunbar and Macarthur Rams who were promoted and immediately playing great football to be anywhere near the top.
Relegation is looking like it will be between Fraser Park, Mt Druitt & Dulwich Hill with only 4 points separating the 3 sides. Dulwich are currently above the drop and will be hoping of another survival like last year.
Will Rangers be able to avoid back to back relegations or are they doomed to start again from the bottom next season? Meanwhile Fraser Park have made some significant coaching changes and will be hoping to slowly make their way out of the drop zone.
BYL 3
This is without a doubt the toughest league to get out. Only 17 club championship points are separating the top 6 as it stands.
Gladesville-Ryde Magic have some gap on their rivals, will this be the year that they climb up to BYL 2 after coming so close the last few seasons?
Parramatta currently occupy 2nd promotion spot but only by a handful of points. Central Coast United will be looking to bounce straight back up, however they sit back in 5th, 9 points from promotion.
Camden, Bankstown City and Hurstville are all competing well, and at this stage it’s any one’s guess as to how the club championship will finish come seasons end, with clubs expected to move up and down week to week.
The wooden spoon is looking likely to go to Sydney University. The club only has 11 points all season and are the favourites to take home the unwanted title, unless they can find some second half of the season spark and catch Granville Rage on 23 points. From there you would have to say all the other clubs are safe to avoid it with Bonnyrigg in 13th on 55 points.