Full season preview and players to watch for National Premier League SA 2023
National Premier League SA soccer season kicks off tomorrow night and we’ve analysed how every club sits and named each side’s players to watch ahead of the 2023 campaign.
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The Football SA National Premier League season will begin from tomorrow night, with the state’s top local clubs ready to do battle for silverware in 2023.
All 12 clubs have strengthened their senior teams heading into the season, including Adelaide City – who are vying for a third straight league title.
The local powerhouse has added Adelaide Comets’ Augustus Williams and Campbelltown’s Nicholas Francese to its list after defeating the Comets in the grand final for a second straight time.
Coach Paul Pezos said he had no issue motivating his men to play for a third straight title.
“We’re very motivated, a third league title in a row is what we’re playing for,” Pezos said.
“We’re a successful club and we want to keep winning as many trophies as we can.
“The team is hungry and they’ve all put together a really strong pre-season so they’re excited and ready to go for Friday night.”
Pezos’ side will play West Adelaide in the opening match of round one at the newly renovated ServiceFM Stadium in Gepps Cross.
With a relatively unchanged team from last season, which will include star attacker Aladina Irabona, Pezos believed the club would get off to a perfect start.
“We’re always really confident in our ability as a group and we definitely want to have a good start to the season,” he said.
“It’s as important as ever to get the points on the board early on because of the extra competitions you need to play further down the line.
“We’re going to be hunted a bit more this season but we’re up for it and ready for a good challenge.”
Adelaide City has also added Comets coach Barney Smith as an assistant this season, a move Pezos believes will pay dividends.
“We have a great leadership group which drives us and he adds to that in the coaching staff.
“Barney was a fantastic appointment, he’s got the drive to win just like the players and he’s going to be someone who can help me out as well.”
Ahead of season kick-off on Friday night, we’ve analysed how each club sets heading in to the season and their players to watch.
ADELAIDE CITY
Last season: Champions
Player to watch: Aladin Irabona
Hot off of its second straight NPLSA league title, Adelaide City looks set for another deep finals run under the guidance of Paul Pezos.
One of the most consistent teams in the competition both offensively and defensively, the black and white should get off to a winning start against West Adelaide.
Aladina Irabona has been a weapon up front and along the wing for the club in recent seasons and will aim to become his side’s top scorer yet again.
ADELAIDE COMETS
Last season: Runner-up
Player to watch: Binyam Kebede
Comets will be as hungry as ever this season after making three straight league grand finals but coming away empty-handed against Campbelltown, and Adelaide City twice.
Star midfielder, defender and captain Allan Welsh was again a standout for his side last year and should be back to his best this season.
19-year-old attacker Binyam Kebede should also provide a major boost for the club after spending time with Adelaide United and most recently Melbourne Victory.
If he can become acclimated to his surroundings at Comets relatively quickly, the club will prove to be a major hurdle for opposition teams.
CAMPBELLTOWN
Last season: Third
Player to watch: Alex Mullen
Campbelltown has added Melbourne Victory winger Luis Lattanzio to its lineup after bowing out in the preliminary final last season.
Coached again by Michael Matricciani, the club seems well set for another strong run.
Sergio Malta Medallist Alex Mullen will be the player to watch for Campbelltown yet again this season, the talented forward and midfielder consistently using his versatility and ability to score or assist to lead his side to results.
METRO STARS
Last season: Fourth
Player to watch: Hamish Gow
Metro Stars improved significantly on its 2021 season last year, making a finals run before being eliminated by Comets on penalties.
Coached by Danny Graystone, the side has added three key signings in Scott Nagel (Adelaide Comets), Ryan Veitch (South Adelaide) and James Temelkovski (St Albans).
Star player Hamish Gow is coming off of a spectacular 2022 season in which he kicked 22 goals, 11 of which were free kicks, and will be the key cog in his side’s success yet again in 2023.
ADELAIDE UNITED
Last season: Fifth
Player to watch: Jonny Yull
United performed at a high level throughout most of 2022 before losing to MetroStars in the first round of the finals and will again be a test for most sides in 2023.
The young Reds are coached by Airton Andrioli this year and will again look to star midfielder Jonny Yull to lead them to another finals appearance.
Yull was a major asset in 2022, dominating in the middle with his hard work and passing efficiency and finishing equal second in the Sergio Melta Medal count.
CROYDON
Last season: Sixth
Player to watch: Patrick Caraccia
Standout midfielder Caraccia will be important for Croydon this season as the Kings look to bounce back from their early 2022 finals defeat to the Comets.
The club will be coached by former Adelaide United superstar and captain Travis Dodd this season as it attempts to build toward sustained success in the NPL.
A Saturday night matchup with Adelaide Olympic should be a good challenge for the Kings in round one as they aim to put their strong midfield to the test against another revitalised outfit.
FK BEOGRAD (White City)
Last season: Seventh
Player to watch: Josh Mori
Josh Smith’s FK Beograd side has added multiple talents for season 2023 after just missing finals in 2022.
Gun defender Jared Clark headlines the pick-ups, arriving from Croydon ahead of this year’s campaign.
Clark should provide strong support behind the club’s midfield which is filled with high potential players including Josh Mori, the son of Adelaide City legend Damian Mori.
Mori had a sensational 2022 and recently debuted for Adelaide United.
STURT LIONS
Last season: Eighth
Player to watch: Michael Marrone
Former Adelaide United star Michael Marrone will be a major key to success for Sturt in 2023 as he marshals the Lions’ defence as a wing back.
The local veteran has been a dominant force for his club since arriving three years ago and has complemented Luno Fisco’s side well.
The side has not made any major additions for 2023 and will instead look to development of its talented youth as it attempts to earn a winning start over Campbelltown at home this weekend.
SOUTH ADELAIDE
Last season: Ninth
Player to watch: Jonathon Rideout
After a strong 2022 season in which he scored 14 goal, South Adelaide leader Jonathon Rideout is primed to lead his Panthers toward a finals campaign in 2023.
The star attacker, combined with standout midfielder Liam Wooding, lead what is a talented lineup at the club and will be a dangerous prospect for Adelaide United to face on Saturday.
The Panthers will be coached by long-time club member Anthony Rideout – brother of Jonathon – this season.
ADELAIDE OLYMPIC
Last season: 10th
Player to watch: Michael Jakobsen
Olympic made the biggest signing of the 2023 off-season by picking up former Adelaide United captain and star centre back/defensive midfielder Michael Jakobsen.
The veteran player will provide a tough edge and dissected approach to the game for Andrew Calderbank’s side and could lead the club back in to the NPLSA finals conversation after a challenging 2022.
A clash with Croydon remains as one of the most intriguing match-ups this weekend and could go in Olympic’s favour if Jakobsen stars in his club debut.
WEST ADELAIDE
Last season: State League One winners
Player to watch: Kosta Mantis
Star West Adelaide captain Kosta Mantis will again lead his long-time club during an NPLSA season after winning the state league in 2022.
The club has picked up former Campbelltown player Trey Williams who can play both midfield and up front and will add to the side’s weapons for what should be a challenging campaign ahead.
Jim Tsekinis will again coach the club and would be hoping for a strong effort against heavy favourites Adelaide City on Friday night.
MODBURY JETS
Last season: Second in State League One
Player to watch: Jesse Francesca
Modbury captain Jesse Francesca is primed for another strong campaign after leading his club to the Australia Cup Round of 16 in 2022.
The star midfielder has been the Jets’ leading man since joining from Birkalla in 2019 and has combined with coach Maurice Natale to help the Northern suburbs side into the state’s top division.
Adelaide Olympic defender Paul Wilson has joined Francesca and the Jets and will bring insurance in the backline for 2023.
Full round one fixture:
Friday, February 17
Adelaide City vs West Adelaide, ServiceFM Stadium at 7.30pm
Saturday, February 18
Sturt Lions vs Campbelltown, Karinya Reserve at 3pm
Adelaide United vs South Adelaide, ServiceFM Stadium at 3pm
Modbury Jets vs FK Beograd, Smith Partners Stadium at 7pm
Adelaide Olympic vs Croydon, Apex Football Stadium at 7pm
MetroStars vs Adelaide Comets, TK Shutter Reserve at 7pm
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