The 2017 season was one of the most exciting in recent memory with the League Championship, top five and who would finish last all coming down to the last round of the season. All this before Port Kembla made a dramatic dash to claim the Grand Final trophy in a nail-biting penalty shootout.

The upcoming season has a lot to live up to, but as with every season, it is sure to write its own compelling storylines. Kemblawarra Fury are no longer with us, however, a number of their star players have joined other clubs in the region, while a number of top NPL talents have also filtered into the Illawarra top flight.

Let's assess the chances of each club ahead of the season kicking off this weekend.

Albion Park White Eagles

Last season - 7th place - 10 wins, 1 draw, 11 losses - 31 points

Albion Park White Eagles endured a turbulent 2017 where inconsistency saw them miss out on the top five while still making the Bert Bampton Cup final. New coach Paul Carter will attempt to set the ship straight and he's assembled a roster capable of causing serious damage.

Some of the star signings include striker Chris Gomez who has a wealth of NPL experience and Macarthur Rams duo Kane Wright and Blake McGinn. They will help fill the void left by the departure of two former George Naylor Medalists in ex-skipper Vaughan Patterson and the talismanic Shohei Okuno.

Albion Park had an underwhelming showing in the Preseason Cup, only managing a draw against Woonona - though they were drawn in a tough group with Wollongong Olympic and Bulli. The FFA Cup is also on the White Eagles' agenda this season where a win over Brookvale FC has them set for Round 4.

If everything clicks, Albion Park have a roster capable of securing finals football with a few games to spare. As it stands, they are my tip to snare the final spot in the top five.

5th

Major signings - Kody Maude (Bankstown City), Blake McGinn (Macarthur Rams), Kane Wright (Macarthur Rams), Sean Kennedy (Rockdale City), Chris Ramirez (Coniston), Chris Gomez (Spirit FC), Farres Aoun (Fraser Park)

 

Bulli FC

Last season - 1st place - 18 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss - 57 points

Stability seems to be the theme leading into Matt Bailey's second season in charge of Bulli. The 2017 Premiers and Bert Bampton Cup winners have made just two additions to their First Grade squad in former White Eagle Mitch Del Turco and centre back David Abel.

Bulli produced some noteworthy results in the Preseason Cup including a dominant 3-1 win over Wollongong Olympic. The 5-0 defeat in the final to Wollongong United wasn't ideal, though, Bulli came into that match on the back of two games in the previous four days and a starting eleven without a few of their star names.

Bulli made it to within a game of the national draw in last season's FFA Cup. Bailey holds this tournament in high regard, so progression through the rounds could put a strain on the squad. As a result, some of the club's talented youngsters may get minutes during this period.

It will be interesting to see how Bulli adapt to being the hunter rather than the hunted. Top three is the minimum expectation and their title defence will rest on their meetings with Olympic and Wollongong United.

2nd

Major signings - Mitch Del Turco (Albion Park White Eagles), David Abel (Gymea United)

 

Corrimal Rangers

Last season - 10th place - 3 wins 6 draws, 13 losses - 15 points

Corrimal had a tough return to Premier League football in 2017 and had it not been for Nico Bernal's late-season goal flurry, the Rangers may have finished at the foot of the table.

Expectations have changed at Memorial Park with young coaching duo Jason Davkovski and Robert Jonovski appointed co-coaches with finals football a primary target.

Bernal has left the club, along with last season's top scorer Mark Picciolini which leaves some concern as to who is going to put the ball in the back of the net. Last season's player-coach Gavin O'Brien and captain Nathan Belsito have also moved on as a part of the root and branch reshuffle.

The signing of Daniel Arcaba from the defunct Kemblawarra Fury is a coup for the Rangers after the young shot-stopper's fantastic end to the 2017 season. Japanese duo Takeru Okada and Masahiko Morita also look to be quality acquisitions after both producing noteworthy performances in the Preseason Cup. In this competition, Corrimal only managed to beat South Coast United. However, they were admirable in defeat against Cringila and Wollongong United.

Corrimal are an outside chance of making the top five, I just think it'll be a step too far for them this season.

8th

Major signings - Daniel Arcaba (Kemblawarra Fury), Angelo Hajittofi (Wollongong United), Klime Sekutkoski (Wollongong United), Josh Gersbach (Parramatta Eagles), Van Elia (Kemblawarra Fury), Khushaba Khushaba (Sporting Rovers), Calum Fleming (UK - Macarthur Rams in 2016), Raeed Abrahim (Gladesville Ryde), Masahiko Morita (Waseda United - Japan), Takeru Okada (Bełchatów - Poland)

Cringila Lions

Last season - 8th place - 6 wins, 3 draws, 13 losses - 21 points

This season marks a decade since Cringila last played finals football, but Wally Savor brought some stability to the club in 2017 and is set for a second season at the helm. The Preseason Cup injected a sense of optimism around Crehan Park, finishing second in a tough group three points behind Wollongong United.

The major omission for Cringila's squad is talented frontman Milan Atlagic. Reacting to this, Savor has picked up Olympic duo Nuno Pires and Stefan Dimoski who have the potential to fire the club into the top five. Any hopes of reaching the playoffs will be extinguished if Savor isn't able to sort out the side's defence which shipped 53 goals in 2017 - the second worst in the league.

Cringila have a decent fixture list to start the campaign and they don't meet an expected top three side until Round 6. If Pires and Dimoski strike up a strong partnership and the defence is able to hold tight, the Lions could make a push for the finals.

7th

Major signings - Stefan Dimoski (Wollongong Olympic), Nuno Pires (Wollongong Olympic), Steve Hristovski (APWE), Mitch Hall (Picton), James Ralston (Macarthur Rams), Tyron Maclou (Corrimal), Anthony Romeo (Dunbar Rovers)

 

Fernhill Foxes

Last season - 1st place (District League) - 17 wins, 4 draws, 1 losses - 55 points

Fernhill have appointed experienced operator Bruce Tilt as head coach for 2018 despite earning promotion from District League with the league's best attack and defence under Dan McGoldrick.

Early indications are not encouraging for the Foxes after a bleak showing in the Preseason Cup where they lost all three matches with an aggregate score of 11-1. Some positives may be able to be drawn from their ability to hold Port Kembla and Tarrawanna scoreless for one half of each match.

The club's transfer dealings have seen a large volume of experienced heads leave the club including 2017 District League player of the season Andy Keep, Ilija Prenzoski, Anthony Oliver and Kolan Hmda. The Foxes have replaced them with a group of players with little to no experience in the Premier League. Former Wests Illawarra midfielder Jordan Hughes and Premiership winning keeper Bryce Daenell are probably their most noteworthy signings. Jarod Phelan looked to be a handy addition but unfortunately, he has reinjured his ACL.

Shinsei Tanaka who finished top scorer in District League Youth Grade last season and young gun Mitch Turner will be the ones tasked with finding the back of the net this season.

The Foxes play Woonona and South Coast United in the first month of the season, they need something out of both of those matches to lay some sort of platform for the season. When Fernhill where relegated from the Premier League in 2014 they managed a meagre seven points and as it stands, they'll do well to surpass that mark.

12th

Major signings - Youssef Abouelnasr (Uni Wolves), Jordan Crawford (Henwood Park), Kyle Del (Woonona Sharks), Jordan Hughes (Unanderra Hearts), Ryan Lappin (Wollongong Olympic), Rodney Lewin (Cringila Lions), Behar Miftari (Cringila Lions), Jarrad McDean (Raptors Club Forbes), Jarod Phelan (Spirit FC), Alex Rooke (Cronulla Seagulls), Bryce Daenell (APWE), Yusuke Maruyama (Japan)

Picton Rangers

Last season - 11th place - 4 wins, 2 draws, 16 losses - 14 points

After avoiding the threat of relegation on the final day of the season, Picton will just be looking to consolidate their top flight status in 2018. Brett Morley will coach the side for a seventh season and he has had to oversee a rebuilding job as his squad was gutted over the offseason with Daniel Goodhew, Brad Durrant and Brad Jones all departing to Tarrawanna while striker Ryan Hall has moved to Cringila.

The Rangers have made a few additions, including Cringila Lion Nathan Mcgrew while evergreen goaltend Robbie Cruickshank has returned to the club. Morley will also be hoping for the likes of Connor Dymond and Will Mcleod to continue their development as first team footballers.

In the Preseason Cup, Picton were on the end of a couple of heavy defeats to Port Kembla and Tarrawanna. However, a gritty win over Fernhill gives them a psychological edge over the Foxes who will be one of their main rivals at the bottom.

Picton have a horror schedule to start the season, visiting Balls Paddock before hosting Wollongong United. On the last day of the season, they visit Fernhill which could prove to be a do or die clash but if they're anywhere near their 2017 points tally of 14, I expect them to be safe.

11th

Major signings - Nathan Mcgrew (Cringila), Tyler Snelgrove (Thirroul), Daniel Nelson (Macarthur Rams), Robbie Cruickshank (Macarthur Association)

 

Port Kembla

Last season - 5th place - 11 wins, 3 draws, 8 losses - 36 points

Noel Spencer remains at Wetherall Park for a second season after leading Port Kembla to Grand Final glory in the most dramatic of circumstances in 2017.

Despite their success, there has been plenty of turnover at Port Kembla over the summer. Veteran duo Matt Werakso and Chris Smith called time on their careers after the win over Bulli while Matt Floro and Kyoji Mori have moved to pastures new. Mitchell Scazzariello and Kyle Hazebroek Southgate are still recovering from ACL injuries sustained in 2017, the club is hopeful the latter will make a comeback in the second half of the season while Scazzariello won't return until 2019.

Spencer has recruited a number of players to fill the void headlined by tricky attacker Naruyuki Kato. The Japanese forward scored 25 goals for Helensburgh in 2017 and finished as the top scorer in District League, Port will be hoping he can translate that record into the top flight.

Jack Lombo also joins the club after scoring a goal every other game for the Wollongong Wolves under 20s last season. Kato and Lombo bolster the club's attacking ranks which already include Sandy Lowcock, Cameron Morgan, Joey Lavalle and Jayden Salucci. Ben Zucco in midfielder remains key to unlocking Port's attacking potential.

Despite making the Preseason Cup semi-final, their showing against a youthful Bulli was cause for concern as was their FFA Cup defeat to Dunbar Rovers. They have the quality to make the top five but I think they may fall one step short.

6th

Major signings - Naruyuki Kato (Helensburgh), Jack Lombo (Wollongong Wolves), Nathan Belsito (Corrimal), Fabian Iacovelli (Kemblawarra Fury), Miki Awad (Wollongong United), Daniel Carreno (Bulli), Michael Brown (Rydalmere Lions)

 

South Coast United

Last Season: 9th place - 5 wins, 3 draws, 14 losses - 18 points

Player-coach Greg Valic managed to squeeze everything out his squad last season, however, the man synonymous with South Coast United will need to somehow squeeze a little tighter in 2018.

South Coast have had some big outs over the summer including Steven Dimitrievski who has signed with District League side Shell Cove as their player-coach. Starlets Jason Pappas and Julio Mushaba have been snapped up by the Wollongong Wolves and South Coast Flame respectively while last month, dynamic midfielder David Stojic made the move to Victorian NPL 1 giants Melbourne Knights.

The most exciting fresh face is Adrien Avello, a 17-year-old who has shown he has a bit about him throughout preseason. Valic has utilised him in a variety of positions higher up the park and he could be a real wildcard. Unfortunately for United, he will be leaving around the midpoint of the season to join the Real Sporting Gijon Academy in Spain.

There wasn't much to write home about in the Preseason Cup where United failed to score a goal, but they were without their top scorer from 2017 in Josh Brookes who they expect to be fit for the start of the season.

Due to the impending development at Ian McLennan Park, United will only play one match at their traditional home ground (Round 2 vs Wollongong Olympic) with their remaining eleven home ties being played at Dandaloo Sports Ground.

The lack of goals will be the main concern for South Coast this season, but the determination of Valic and other senior heads make me believe they'll keep off the bottom of the table.

10th

Major signings - Jason Bleakley (Corrimal), Adrien Avello (Wollongong Wolves), Dylan Mena (return from injury), Ryan Beattie (Arncliffe Scots)

 

Tarrawanna Blueys

Last Season - 4th place - 11 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses - 38 points

Peter Willis guided the Blueys back to finals football after a three-year hiatus and was duly rewarded with a two-year contract extension.

Tarrawanna kept nine clean sheets in 2017 which was helped by a 10 match spell where the side only conceded on four occasions. This solidity at the back will be further enhanced by the signing of Bulli centre-half Corey Horner.

Willis has also picked up Picton trio Bradley Jones, Bradley Durrant and Daniel Goodhew as well as Wollongong United Youth Grade gun goalscorer Bradley Acev. Captain Ricky Goodchild remains at the club and he will continue to be a prominent figure for the Blueys going forward.

Don't expect to see Woo Oh at Tarrawanna Oval as he's returned to Japan while Matt Mazevski and Jarryd Mortimer have also moved on going to South Coast Flame and Woonona respectively.

The Blueys put in some impressive performances in the Preseason Cup and only lost to eventual winners Wollongong United via a penalty shootout at the semi-final stage. Tarrawanna are also involved in the FFA Cup, a 5-1 win over Sydney North West seeing them through to the fourth round.

The main difference between this season and last is that the Blueys are now expected to be playing in September. Willis seems to have a more rounded squad to deal with these pressures and I see them making the top five with relative ease.

4th

Major signings - Corey Horner (Bulli), Bradley Jones (Picton), Bradley Durrant (Picton), Daniel Goodhew (Picton), Bradley Acev (Wollongong United)

 

Wollongong Olympic

Last season - 2nd place - 17 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses - 53 points

After pushing Bulli all the way in last season's title race, Olympic have opted for a change in direction with George Antoniou taking over as head coach.

Former George Naylor Medalist Vaughan Patterson is the pick of the summer signings and he will join a midfield which already boasts the likes of Brendan Fordham and Lukas Stergiou. Olympic have held on to last season's golden boot winner Yusuke Ueda as well as his compatriot Shun Tokuno. They have also retained the services of premier centreback Jack Keating who was the fulcrum of Olympic's league-best defensive record in 2017. The main outs include attacking trio Nuno Pires, Stefan Dimoski who have transferred to Cringila and Harrison Brown who has moved overseas.

In the Preseason Cup, Olympic beat Albion Park and Woonona before a tame display saw them lose 3-1 to Bulli. Olympic will also be competing in the FFA Cup and a couple of double-figure victories already have the side into the fourth round.

They will be expected to have nine points on the board after their first three matches before facing Bulli and Wollongong United back to back. If they can bag results in these two matches, they will be marked down as serious title contenders.

3rd

Major signings - Vaughan Patterson (APWE), Julian Minutillo (Bulli), Robbie Gudiosi (Bulli), David Hartas (Kemblawarra Fury), Matt Floro (Port Kembla), Kojiro Hori (Blacktown Spartans), Christian Pretto (Tarrawanna)

 

Wollongong United

Last season - 6th place - 10 wins, 3 draws, 9 losses - 33 points

After two seasons of mid-table mediocrity, Wollongong United have rung in the changes with 2016 Premiership coach, Jeff Allport taking the reins.

Wollongong United already have a trophy in the cabinet after winning the Preseason Cup for the third year in a row. They have proven this doesn't count for much, however, 2018 is expected to be different given a raft of high profile summer signings including six from the now-defunct Kemblawarra Fury.

Former Young Socceroo, Nathan Elasi joins from NPL 1 side Sutherland Sharks and he will lead an attacking quartet of Matthew McNab, Stephen Domenici and crowd favourite Daisuke Yuzawa. Given their firepower, I expect United to break Port Kembla's 2004 goalscoring record of 83 (set in a 26 round season).

Wollongong United were hoping to make a deep run in this year's FFA Cup. However, a shock defeat to Doonside Hawks will mean all their attention will now be on the local competitions.

It'll take a brave punter to back against United winning the Cup, League and Grand Final treble in 2018, and barring an extreme injury toll, I expect them to do just that.

1st

Major signings - Luke Austin (APIA Leichhardt), Mark Every (APWE), Stephen Domenici (Canberra Olympic), Matt Gordon (Sutherland Sharks), Nathan Elasi (Sutherland Sharks), Sam Munro (Kemblawarra Fury), Matthew McNab (Kemblawarra Fury), Sam Matthews (Kemblawarra Fury), Kazuto Kushida (Kemblawarra Fury), Alvin Ceccoli (Kemblawarra Fury), Lachlan O’Connor (Kemblawarra Fury), Ben Wunsch (Oak Flats)

 

Woonona Sharks

Last season - 12th - 3 wins, 2 draws, 17 losses - 11 points

Woonona finished bottom of the league in 2017 with a measly 11 points but they were spared relegation due to Kemblawarra Fury folding. Dan McGoldrick has been appointed head coach after achieving promotion to Premier League with Fernhill last season and he'll be keen to show he has what it takes to coach in the top flight.

Chris Gibson will lead from the heart of the defence and with Cameron Besgrove and former Bluey Jarryd Mortimer, Woonona shouldn't be easy beats. At the other end of the field, Woonona haven't seemed to address their goalscoring conundrum and last season's top scorer Joel Beattie is no longer at the club after moving overseas. McGoldrick will be looking for more goals out of mercurial duo Brendan Pattman and Valentino Merxhushi.

Woonona were encouraging in the Preseason Cup, managing draws against two more fancied teams in Bulli and Albion Park. They have been handed a nightmare start to the season playing the three preseason favourites in the opening four rounds. Despite this, I feel the Sharks underperformed last season and I expect them to progress to the mean in 2017.

9th

Major signings - Dejan Djukic (APWE), Khalid Alali (Bulli), Jake Potter (Two seasons off previously Bulli), Jarryd Mortimer (Tarrawanna Blueys), Mizuki Kimura (Japan), Brandon Groom (Wollongong United)

 

Preview by Dylan Arvela, on Twitter @dylanarvela

Photo Credit: PEDRO GARCIA