2015 WGC CRANES DISTRICT LEAGUE PREVIEW

With the new season upon us, just who are the teams to look out for this year?

We profile each team’s chances this year.

 

 

Balgownie Rangers finished in 13^th position last year in what was perhaps a disappointing year for this historic club. With many players either retiring or moving on, Balgownie is looking to start a new chapter under the reins of new coach James Dummett. They narrowly lost in the opening rounds of the Fraternity Club Cup and Bampton Cup. You can expect Balgownie to finish better than they did last season.

In :  James Dummett (coach), Jackson Dummett, Ben Gatswood, Oscar Garratt, Beau Cropper, Mitch Hoswell, Anestis Stratilas.

Out : Matt Alcorn, Sam Formosa, Brent Wilson, Aaron Davis(retired), Michael Pitt, Brian McCarthy, Mark Scott, Arvi Lehtsalu, Anthony Oliver, Mitch Pill, Clint Worthington

Berkeley Sports had a very good 2014 season finishing third. Having lost some very good players, Berkeley may find it difficult to emulate last year. Whilst they got bundled out early in the Fraternity Club Cup by Plate winners Helensburgh, Berkeley did go onto beat Oak Flats (albeit on penalties) in the opening round of the Bampton Cup. They will have done very well if can make the playoffs again.

In : Nelson Grilo, Shane Manning, Brandan Pizzato

Out : Adam Arnott, Darren Birch, Angelo Hajittofi, Anthony Matthews, Cameron Morgan, Chris Rowlan, Beren Sullivan

Coniston FC has undergone a severe transformation this year with 2014 a year the club would sooner forget finishing bottom of the league. The club has changed many things both on and off the pitch and there is no doubt that they will be more competitive that in 2014. Whilst I don’t expect Coniston to feature in the playoffs, I think they will surprise some teams. They took Kemblawarra to penalties in the Fraternity Club Cup and were outclassed by Picton in the Bampton Cup. This will be a rebuilding year for Coniston FC.

In : Jorge Alarcon, Willy Alarcon, Brett Appleton, Jack Clough, James Petreski, Henry Freeman, Rory Evans, Anthony Contreras, Michael Panozzo, James Stewart, Joshua Roberts, Alexander Perez, Alexsander Popovic

Out : Danny Ristevski, Robert Neloski, James McClelland, Brett Kear, Nazir Mosavi, Joshua Madden, Duane Byrnes, Reice Borg, Nathan Harrod, Joao Oliveira

Corrimal have aspirations to play in the Premier League and after finishing 4^th in 2014, the club will be looking to get some consistent results which is often what is required for promotion. Corrimal have made a steady start to the season despite going down to Fernhill on penalties in the opening round of the Fraternity Club Cup, they have eased past Kemblawarra to advance to round 2 of the Bampton Cup. I expect Corrimal to be up there this year particularly given their new signings.

In : Tony Dulevski, Frank Pierro, Daniel Esteves, Andrew Breslin, Aiden Breslin, Chris Stefanovski, Bryce Mardon, Tom Mindzas, Francesco Liberti, Gavin O'Brien

Out : Daniel Pisani, Andrew Nannos, Dave Bescos, Nick Torterello, Brad, Hunter GK

Fernhill were relegated from the Premier League last year and as is usually the case, clubs find themselves having to rebuild the team. Only two players remain from last year’s squad although several players are returning. It’s difficult to see Fernhill making the playoffs although they did stun Corrimal in opening round of the Bampton Cup taking them out on penalties.

Player movements not made available.

Helensburgh finished mid table last year however under new coach Brod Crighton and some quality ex-premier league players, Helensburgh are my dark horse to take out the championship. They went through to win the plate final of the Fraternity Club Cup and took out Premier League team South Coast United in the opening round of the Bampton Cup. They have a creative a hard working midfield with plenty of attacking options. This team will be scoring goals all year.

In : Ben Kasnik, Dave Gallacher, Andy Garcia, Scott Regent, Andrew Paine, Monty Pfrengle, Andy Keep, Joel Wilson, Brod Crighton (coach)

Out : Nathan Mucci, Andy Wanden, Matt Callahan (coach)

Kemblawarra endured an indifferent 2014 finishing 10^th however they come into 2015 with much higher ambitions. New coach Stan Pappas expects the team to finish in the playoffs and judging by their recruitment this year, the club means business. They have had some mixed preseason results and I expect it may take several weeks for the team to gel however in this league if you give teams too big a head start, it could be finished before you know it. I think Kemblawarra will have had a great season if they can make the playoffs.

In : Stan Pappas, Nick Ristevski, Nathan Macgraw, Justin Petkovski, Nick Saravanja, Christian Capetta, Christian Carvana, Josh Koroskovski, Jonathon Passanante, Matt Pessego, Rob Young

Out : Josh de Gouveia

Kiama Quarriers would have been disappointed with their season last year and under new coach James Spence and a relatively youthful side, they will be hoping to improve on 10^th place. Despite being beaten by Fraternity Club Cup finalists Wests Illawarra in the opening round of the Frat Cup, they bounced back with a stunning penalty shoot-out win over newly promoted Shell Cove in round 1 of the Bampton Cup. I don’t expect Kiama to make the playoffs however I think they will have a pretty competitive season.

In : Daniel Swinton, Todd Wade, Jason Forrester, James Gulloni, Jason Perinich

Out : Chris Christodoulou, Damien Counter, Mick Gillespie

Oak Flats Falcons finished in 6^th place last year and have made a steady start to their new campaign. They made the second round of the Fraternity Club Cup narrowly going down to Cringila Lions in the second round whilst they were unlucky to lose on penalties in the opening round of the Bampton Cup. They will be difficult to score against this year however the big question mark is will they have enough strike power to score goals and win games? Time will tell I guess although if I were to make a prediction, I see the Falcons fighting for a playoff spot (mid table).

Player movements not made available.

Picton Rangers finished second last year however they managed to go on and win the Grand Final. New players to the squad are Marconi junior and senior squad player Delfeayo (Dell) Francis, Mitchell Hall from Camden Tigers, local Picton boy Jack Taseski steps up to 1st grade and the interesting one is Tynan Williams who played soccer early and was drafted into the GWS Giants franchise representing through their squads up to U/18 and now coming back to soccer. They have made a sound start to the new year making through to the second round of the Fraternity Club Cup eventually going down to Woonona however they romped past Coniston in the opening round of the Bampton Cup. I expect the “bush-pigs” to be up there again this year challenging for the title. 

In: Delfeayo Francis, Mitchell Hall, Tynan Williams

Out : Gary Seymour, Shaun Piggott, Jordan Hooke

Thirroul Thunder finished 7^th in 2014 and based on this year’ s form so far, it’ s hard to see them bettering that. There has been very little player movement within the club indicating they have faith in the current squad. They welcome back James Townsend who should spark the Thunder. They did make the second round of the Fraternity Club Cup before going down to finalists Wests Illawarra and they got a bit of a touch up against Tarrawanna in the Bampton Cup. I think Thirroul will be battling for a playoff spot.

In : James Townsend

University FC  finished 9^th last year however one expects them to be inside the top six. They have had a fortunate run in the Fraternity Club Cup which I think has held in them in good stead for a strong start to the year. They accounted for Fernhill in the Bampton Cup and with the Uni sessions in full swing, one can expect some good football being played out of Koolobong from the students.

Player movements not made available.

Wests Illawarra have made a fantastic start to the season and look a shadow of the team that finished 12^th last year. They have surprised many by making through to the Fraternity Club Cup Final where they took it to Dapto Dandaloo Fury and they backed it up with a gritty round 1 win over Balgownie in the Bampton Cup. They have been pretty impressive so far and based on that, I can see Wests featuring in the playoffs again this year.  They appear to have recruited quite well.

In : Gadir Maarbani, Scott Johnston, Nik Toterella, Matt Kinsman, Joey Yousif, Jake Webster, Jake Bailey

Out: Daniel Vasilevski, James Davkovski, Kyle Booth, Josh Nicholas, Brad Burleigh, Rowan Greedy, Josh Gregory

Warilla Wanderers made the big dance last year after finishing 5^th. I think they will need another big effort if they are to replicate 2014. They have not made a good start losing in the opening round of both cup competitions. Coach Barney King will have his troupes fired up for the season I am sure particularly for their season opener against Corrimal. I can’t see Warilla challenging for the title although I think they will sneak into the playoff spots again and show how dangerous they can be come season end.

In : Sam Bosweick, Martin Castelli, Reece McIntosh, Brad Hunter, Brynley Richards, Youth coach : Scott Fowler

Out : Luke Greathead, Brad Jardine, John Hagernnar, James Eldred