It’s that time of year again – with the start of the NPL season just a couple months away, club staff are busy strategising and scouting for the best of the best in the world of football. With each passing day, new meetings take place and endless videos of potential players fill the screens of every office in the league.
These dedicated individuals are on a mission to secure top talent for their teams, carefully balancing quality with affordability. Every decision made during this crucial time could have a huge impact on the success of the upcoming season.
As the countdown to the first match ticks away, the anticipation and excitement grows for players, coaches, and fans alike.
This is where the magic of the NPL begins – with months of hard work and dedication leading up to the long-awaited kick-off, when the ball finally rolls on the pitches and the true test of skill and passion begins.
South Melbourne appears to be one of the most progressive clubs in the market to date.
It seems that the finalists of last year’s grand final are eager to complete their roster construction as quickly as possible so that their coach, Esteban Quints, can have enough time to work with his new players.
Despite rumors suggesting that the management was considering other coaches, South Melbourne’s Argentinian coach has been selected as the best fit to lead the team into the new season.
Agim Sherifovski will assist him on the Greek club’s bench, having joined Lakeside Stadium as the assistant coach.
The management’s initial moves showcase their desire to revamp the roster by adding quality players with experience. Harry Sawyer has returned from VPS in Finland to reinforce the team’s attacking line, filling the void left by Ajak Riak who is expected to continue his playing career in the Indonesian league.
Coach Quintas has also added two midfielders, Argentinian Nahuel Bonada and Australian Cian Cuba, to his team.
With their league experience, these two players are expected to make an immediate impact. However, Bonada is not the only Argentine to become part of South Melbourne’s Latin American group.
Mario Barcia, who played for Bentleigh Greens last year, has been signed by South Melbourne as their defensive midfielder.
Ross Archibald has been chosen by the management to join the team’s defensive line.
With his vast experience in the NPL league, the tall defender is sure to bring quality to the team’s defensive line.
Max Mikkola and Javier Lopez Diaz have signed new contracts, while Ben Djiba, Peri Lambropoulos, Josh Wallen, Lirim Elmazi, Patrick Langlois, and Alun Webb have all departed the team.
A special acknowledgment must be made for team captain Brad Norton, who has announced his departure from the club after 12 years and over 300 appearances with the Blue and Whites.
The excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season for the Port Melbourne Sharks is palpable as the team undergoes some significant changes.
After six successful years, beloved coach Adam Piddick has moved on, leaving behind a legacy and a reshaping of the team’s identity.
In his place, the Sharks have welcomed Nikos Marinos, who brings a fresh perspective and a drive to contribute to the new team effort.
The midfield has been fortified with the addition of talented players including Charlie Leech, Ethan Brooks, and Maker Maker, who possess both speed and power. The battle for the starting goalkeeper position will be intense with the competition between new signings Marko Bulic and Iliya Shalamanov.
On the defensive line, experienced players like Alain Papi Bousquets, formerly of Bulleen Lions, and Nathaniel Hancock from South Melbourne, have been selected, adding depth and skill to the team’s defence.
The offensive line has also received a boost with the arrival of Lucas Byrns and Daniel Cuttler.
Heidelberg United and Oakleigh Cannons have not yet made any announcements regarding new players, but this will not take long to happen as it is certain that the teams’ coaches, Chris Taylor and Yiannis Anastasiadis, want to complete their rosters as soon as possible. We will be here to record and bring you all the news of the teams ahead of the 2024 season.
