The 2018 Illawarra District League went down to the final day of the season with just a single point separating the Coniston and Bellambi going into round 22.

Coniston ultimately won the battle, achieving promotion before securing grand final glory over a Warilla side who after a turbulent start to the season, managed to win their last eight games to qualify for their third decider in a row.

At the other end, there was a desperate dog fight at the bottom of the table between three sides but it was Unanderra who finished off with the wooden spoon.

We turn our attention to the 2019 season which is set to kick off this weekend.

Balgownie Rangers

Last season - 7th - 7 wins, 3 draws, 12 losses - 24 points

Opening month - University (H), Oak Flats (A), Kiama (A), Bellambi (H)

Major signings - Abdullah Chiapas (University), Alex Morlando (unattached), Luke McDonald (unattached), Zack Craw (Wollongong Olympic)

FFA Cup - No

Balgownie matched Coniston and Bellambi over the first month of 2018 with four wins on the spin, however, after this, they failed to put together a good run of form which saw their finals chances slip away. The signing of Abdullah Chhipa who was electric at times for University could prove a smart piece of business.

Inconsistency has already plagued them in the preseason cup where they lost to both Oak Flats and Shell Cove before beating Picton Rangers. Bally will take heart from the fact they defeated Thirroul last week in a goal fest in the opening round of the Bampton Cup.

If the Rangers can find some consistency, they will be a finals chance.

5th

Bellambi Rosellas

Last season - 2nd - 17 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses - 54 points

Opening month - Warilla (H), Thirroul (A), University (H), Balgownie (A)

Major signings - Scott Chipperfield (unattached), Valon Rizvani (Coniston), Todd Simpson (unattached), Ben Ellul (Warilla), Dale White (Fernhill), Damien Warwick (unattached), Shane Lyons (unattached), Scott Muilwyk (Balgownie)  

FFA Cup - No

Andrew Paine returns for his second season in charge of Bellambi. A potential key signing for the Rosellas is Ben Ellul; Last season he managed 11 goals from 20 games and his contributions this year could complement the abundance of riches in attacking areas with the likes of Ilija Prenzoski who netted 17 goals and Neville Arrowsmith District League Player of the Year - Tim O’Brien.'

In 2018, Bellambi were pipped to the title on the last day by Coniston but given the additions to their squad which saw them finish fourth in the Fraternity Club Cup, they should go into this campaign as favourites.

It will be interesting to see just many games veteran and former socceroo Scott Chipperfield plays although his experience is sure to rub off on many of the players.

1st

Berkeley Sports

Last season - 10th - 5 wins, 3 draws, 14 losses

Opening month - Unanderra (H), Picton (H), Oak Flats (H), Helensburgh (H)

Major signings - Adam White (Warilla), Jayson Atanasoski (unattached), Hugo Coronel (Picton), Eren Kutup (unattached), Michael Flood (Ingleburn), Michael Perenich (Narellan), Heath Sheppard (Narellan)

FFA Cup - No

Last season Berkeley had some good results such as 1-1 draw at Bellambi and a 1-0 win at Thirroul but their season was defined by a nine-game losing streak after their win on the opening day of the season.

Berkeley were the lowest scorers in the division last year (20) and they have lost one of their main threats in Luke Boersma who has joined Port Kembla, however, the signing of Warilla’s Adam White could fill part of the void.

Mitch Ramsey is also the new boss at Berkeley Sports and he will do well to keep the Goats off the bottom of the ladder.

10th

Helensburgh Thistle

Last season - 4th - 12 wins, 4 draws, 6 losses

Opening month - Shell Cove (A), Unanderra (H), Picton (A), Berkeley (A)

Major signings - Kade Kinsella (Granville Rage), Yu Ito (Balmain Tigers), Addison Grinham (Engadine), Shota Kihara (Japan)

FFA Cup - No

Helensburgh had a good season last time around and finished fourth while being one of only two teams to defeat champions Coniston. Their season was full of ups and downs and a little more consistency could have seen Helensburgh challenge the top two.

They have however been excellent in preseason, scoring 14 goals in four games including taking eventual winners Corrimal to a penalty shootout at the quarter final stage.

Former skipper Luke Wyatt and deputy Kei Mitani are big losses for Helensburgh but given the youthfulness of the squad, they should be able to kick on in 2019.

2nd

Kiama Quarriers

Last season - 8th - 5 wins, 7 draws, 10 losses - 22 points

Opening month - Thirroul (H), University (A), Balgownie (H), Oak Flats (H)

Major signings - Tom Snow (Brisbane), Brendan Apperley (unattached), Kane Rowe (Gerringong Breakers)

FFA Cup - No

Kiama had an inconsistent season in which they failed to put a run of wins and in the end, they finished with an average of a point per game. Kiama have also lost a key player in Chris Hill only adding to the potential issues this season could bring about.

A lot will depend on captian and top scorer last year - Chris Christodoulou however if Brian Montanari can stay fit and be available, the Quarriers will surprise some people.

Their season however hasn't started brightly having finished last in their Fraternity Club Cup group and they will need to improve to avoid a potential relegation scrap.

8th

Oak Flats Falcons

Last season - 6th - 8 wins, 4 draws, 10 losses - 28 points

Opening month - Picton (H), Balgownie (H), Berkeley (A), Kiama (A)

Major signings - Paul Ryrie (unattached), Justin Potter (Port Kembla), Scott Fagerlund (Bomaderry), Michael MacGraw (Fernhill), Dylan Wray (Bulli)

FFA Cup - No

Oak Flats missed out on the finals places by 12 points last year and in response, they have made a number of changes including appointing rookie co-coaches Nathan Minutillo and Fabian Cappetta

The Falcons have picked up Premier League players including Justin Potter and Dylan Wray while former top-flight striker Paul Ryrie could prove to be a great signing.

A quarter final run in the Fraternity Club Cup suggests Oak Flats are a strong chance of finals football this season.

4th

Picton Rangers

Last season (Premier League) - 12th - 2 wins, 4 draws, 16 losses - 10 points

Opening month - Oak Flats (A), Berkeley (A), Helensburgh (H), Warilla (A)

Major signings - Club have not provided player transfer information

FFA Cup - No

After being relegated from the premier division of Illawarra football, Picton will need to perform a lot better than last year to avoid potential back to back relegations.

Picton won just one game in the Fraternity Club Cup which was a 2-0 win against Shell Cove and the departures of Lachlan Newman and Jarred Morley are relatively sizable.

The Rangers will need to make Hume Oval a fortress otherwise they could be in for another long season.

12th

Shell Cove

Last season - 9th - 7 wins, 1 draw, 14 losses - 22 points

Opening month - Helensburgh (H), Warilla (A), Thirroul (H), University (H)

Major signings - Brandon Groom (South Coast Flame), Jordan Haddow (Shoallhaven FC), Dusan Kolonja (University), Jacob Miller (unattached), Goran Nikolovski (NA), Ren Yoshioka (Japan), Kazu (Japan)

FFA Cup - No

In 2018, Shell Cove conceded nearly three goals a game which was the third worst in the division and in relative terms they have showed early signs of improvement in the Fraternity Club Cup.

Coach Rob Mihalov returns to the helm and whilst they have a new look side this year, based on some of the early results, scoring goals could prove to be an issue.  At the other end though, the signing of South Coast Flame deputy goalkeeper Brandon Groom has the could help push them up the table.

6th

Thirroul Thunder

Last season - 5th - 13 wins, 1 draw, 8 losses - 40 points

Opening month - Kiama (A), Bellambi (H), Shell Cove (A), Unanderra (H)

Major signings - Club have not provided player transfer information

FFA Cup - No

Thirroul finished fifth, equal on points with Helensburgh and had positive results including a 1-0 win against Bellambi on the last day meaning they were the only side to keep a clean sheet against the Rosellas.

Their season was defined by poor results against the lower half of the league including back to back defeats to Unanderra and Berkeley.

In the Fraternity Club Cup, they made it to a quarter final with Bellambi who narrowly defeated them 2-0.

Corey Haines-Grose is one of a number of players to leave the club over the summer which gives the chance for some of the club's reserve and youth graders to step up. Thirroul have been thereabouts for the last few years and I anticipate that won't change.

3rd

Unanderra Hearts

Last season - 12th - 3 wins, 5 draws, 14 losses - 14 points

Opening month - Berkeley (A), Helensburgh (A), Warilla (H), Thirroul (A)

Major signings - Christian Plakias (Coniston), Save Treneski (unattached), Matthew Cuda (Coniston), Damian Jorge (unattached), Joshua Baker (Tarrawanna), Damian Bedwell (unattached)

FFA Cup - No

Unanderra finished bottom of the league last year and struggled to score goals, scoring only 25 goals all season which was the second lowest in the division.

In the preseason, there have been a few positive signs including a 4-1 win against Kiama and a close 1-0 defeat to title favourites Bellambi.

Unanderra have picked up Christian Plakias and Matthew Cuda from promoted Coniston who should boost the side along with Save Treneski who scored 26 goals in this division back in 2016.

There is a sense of optimism at the club for 2019 and this added quality should help the Hearts push themselves up the table.

9th

University of Wollongong

Last season - 11th - 4 wins, 3 draws, 15 losses - 15 points

Opening month - Balgownie (A), Kiama (H), Bellambi (A), Shell Cove (A)

Major signings - Doug Woodiwiss (South Coast Flame), Brooklan Frkovic (Port Kembla), Christopher Twigg (Corrimal)

FFA Cup - Yes

University only avoided finishing last by a single point despite conceding a league-high 69 goals in 2019 and while the Students conceded 11 goals in the Fraternity Club Cup, seven came when they were missing a number of starters against Helensburgh.

The return of Doug Woodiwiss could prove crucial with the versatile player already netting a hat trick in the club’s round two FFA Cup win over Leeton United. They did however leak three goals to the country visitors.

Unless Uni can improve their defence, 2019 will be another year near the foot of the table.

11th

Warilla Wanderers

Last season - 3rd - 14 wins, 1 draw, 7 losses - 43 points

Opening month - Bellambi (A), Shell Cove (H), Unanderra (A), Picton (H)

Major signings - Brad Hunter (unattached), David Bescos (unattached)

FFA Cup - No

Warilla have had a massive turnover in players over the offseason with 10 of 16 players in their grand final squad no longer at the club - this is in large part due to the retirement of coach Barney King who took the club to seven District League deciders

Some of the most notable outs include Jesse French, Jeremy Lopez, Ben Ellul and midfielder maestro Javier Ovando who was runner up for the Neville Arrowsmith Medal last year.

The list of ins is much shorter meaning rookie coach Nathan Pegler has plenty of work to do if he is to make this side a finals contenders.

7th

Preview by Timothy Gibson, on Twitter @Timg123_

Photo by Pedro Garcia