Here are our top men’s and women’s Premier League soccer players to watch this season
We’ve named the local soccer stars for fans to get excited about in 2021 with the National Premier League SA campaigns kicking off Friday. See the list and fixture.
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The best local soccer stars will return to the pitch this week with the men’s and women’s National Premier League SA campaigns kicking off on Friday night.
Reigning NPL premier Campbelltown City opens the season with a clash against Adelaide City on Friday.
The Black and Whites’ women start this WNPL season against Adelaide University, also on Friday — see below for the full fixtures.
In the lead up to matches getting underway, local sports reporter Daniela Abbracciavento has put together a list of exciting players to watch when the action kicks off.
NPL
HAMISH MCCABE
Adelaide Blue Eagles
The midfielder and his twin brother Liam initially agreed to sign with Campbelltown City for 2020 before negotiating a return to the Azzurri before the campaign kicked off.
And McCabe relished being back with ABE, finishing fourth in the 2020 NPL SA’s Sergio Melta Medal (best and fairest) count last season, with 18 points.
He then went on to claim the club’s Best Team Man award.
The now 21-year-old, who also claimed the 2019 NPL Player of the Year, is expected to continue his strong form this season as he looks to lift ABE from its ninth-rank finish last winter.
ALADDIN IRABONA
Adelaide City
Irabona will be one to watch this season as Adelaide City eyes off going one better than in 2020 after losing a preliminary final to eventual title winners Campbelltown City.
The winger made his debut with the Black and Whites last year after being recruited from Adelaide United’s youth side.
And he certainly starred in his first campaign with City, winning the club’s best and fairest award.
Irabona was born in Tanzania, an East African country, before emigrating to Australia when he was seven.
He played all 21 games with City in 2020 and scored four goals during the minor rounds.
ALLAN WELSH
Adelaide Comets
The Comets skipper took his game to another level last season and was instrumental in the side earning a grand final berth.
Welsh is the reigning Sergio Melta Medallist as the NPL’s best and fairest player, having claimed the award in 2020.
During his 2020 campaign, the veteran midfielder netted a league best 18 goals to also claim the competition’s Golden Boot award.
Welsh looks to be fit and firing once again and will need to be as Comets’ quest for another piece of silverware continues.
KRISTEN KONSTANDOPOULOS
Adelaide Olympic
The 22-year-old has impressed coaches over the summer with his work rate and intensity, making him one to watch this season.
He signed with Olympic last year after spending a couple of seasons with Adelaide United’s youth side.
Despite his age, Konstandopoulos plays with “the experience of a 30-year-old”, according to assistant coach Yianni Stama.
JONNY YULL
Adelaide United
The 16-year-old made his A League debut with the Reds in January and became the third youngest NPL player to take to the pitch for United.
The former Birkalla junior midfielder will line up with the Reds’ youth side this local season and is expected to star in 2021.
ALEX MULLEN
Campbelltown City
The midfielder, who spent 2015/16 with A League outfit Sydney FC, has been exceptional since joining Campbelltown City in 2018.
Mullen, who is the nephew of former Red Devils coach Joe Mullen, was a big reason for the side making and then winning its third, successive title.
He was named player of the match in the grand final against Comets for his commanding performance in the centre throughout the contest.
Mullen netted three goals across 18 minor round matches in 2020 and will be ready to help City defend its crown this year.
PATRICK CARACCIA
Croydon
A young, attacking midfielder, who is set to take his game to new heights in 2021 – that’s how new Croydon senior coach Travis Dodd describes Caraccia.
The rising star is an explosive player, who finished last NPL season with four goals from 22 appearances.
Dodd expected Caraccia to further improve in 2021 after working hard on his forward runs during the off-season.
JUMAR OAKLEY
Cumberland United
Cumberland has managed to recruit a striker from the US as a replacement for Ayom Majok who signed with A League side Western United on a two-year scholarship deal.
Oakley has plenty of potential, according to Cumberland coach Neil Young, who says he’s quick and has good one v one movement.
Young said Oakley has endured a few knocks during the pre-season but was confident he would be influential this season.
FABIAN BARBIERO
MetroStars
He’s 36 years old but the former Adelaide United midfielder is showing no signs of slowing down.
Barbiero adds leadership and experience to MetroStars side, having played 90 A League games for United.
According to MetroStars coach Robbie Saraceno, Barbiero is still one of the best players in the NPL.
He’s skilful, speedy and the utmost professional, according to Saraceno.
NICHOLAS MUNRO
Raiders
New Raiders coach Terry Westwood has labelled Munro as “the best goal keeper in the NPLSA”.
Munro is known for his leadership and his goalkeeping abilities.
He is a strong great shot-stopper and, according to Westwood, has good attention to detail.
JONATHON RIDEOUT
South Adelaide
South Adelaide returns to the top tier in 2021 with Rideout who was arguably the side’s bets player last season.
The youngest of the four Rideout siblings at 25 years old, dominated the State League in 2020.
He scored a whopping 34 goals for the Panthers across 22 State League minor rounds and four during the three finals matches.
The striker’s efforts helped him be named the competition’s 2020 Golden Boot winner.
He also won the Panthers’ best and fairest, Golden Boot and Player’s Player awards.
Keep an eye on Rideout as he hopes to lead South Adelaide into finals contention.
GONZALO RODRIGEUZ
Sturt Lions
He’s the Italian/Argentine striker who helped the Lions win the State League One title last year and Rodriguez has signed on with the club again as it looks to compete in the top tier in 2021.
Rodriguez scored 17 goals across 19 minor round matches last year before hitting the back of the net six times during the finals series.
His double scored in the grand final against White City ensured the Lions were crowned champions with a 2-0 win.
WNPL
MIKAYLA VIDMAR
Adelaide City
She’s the daughter of ex-Socceroo Tony Vidmar and is carrying on the football legacy with Adelaide City.
Mikayla, now 19, is building her own chapter in the sport, lining up with the Black and Whites again this season.
Despite being on the Black and Whites’ list in 2019, Mikayla only managed five matches due to suffering a stress fracture in her shin.
But the defender played 14 minor round games plus two finals in 2020 and is set to build on that this coming campaign.
NANAKO SASAKI
Adelaide Comets
Sasaki has signed with Adelaide Comets for this WNPL season with her sister Yuka Sasaki.
The star, originally from Japan, moved to Adelaide in 2017 after she completed high school.
In her four years at Adelaide City, the midfielder was named in Football SA’s women’s Team of the Year twice (2019 and 2020).
GEMMA MACFARLANE
Adelaide University
Macfarlane is entering her third season with Adelaide University, having crossed over from the NTC squad at the start of 2019.
She is Uni’s reigning best and fairest winner after claiming the top individual gong in 2020 and she also won the Player’s Player award.
MacFarlane lined up in three of City’s finals matches in 2020 and booted one goal.
She will be looking to further develop this season.
ZOE TOLLAND
National Training Centre squad
The defender was selected in the 2019 WNPL Team of the Year and was also a train-on player with Adelaide United’s W team in 2020.
Tolland will co-captain the NTC squad again this year with Ella Tonkin.
JESSICA NAGEL
Fulham
Nagel is a former Adelaide United W League player who is now lining up with Fulham, having signed on in 2018.
The 29-year-old defender brings a wealth of experience to Fulham’s side.
She once credited one-on-one soccer matches with her younger brother Scott for helping her gain a competitive edge.
CHRISSY PANAGARIS
Metro United
The striker is one of Metro’s key players and will be hoping to fire after only playing three games in 2020, having taken most of the year off.
She still managed to net two goals across the limited matches she lined up in last winter.
Panagaris was one of the stars of Metro’s stunning 2019 campaign, after scoring 21 goals during the minor rounds and leading the side to a grand final victory over fierce rivals Adelaide City.
MARIA JOSE ROJAS
Salisbury Inter
The Chilean 2019 FIFA women’s World Cup star Maria Jose Rojas rejoins Salisbury Inter after a strong debut campaign with Adelaide United’s W League side.
The 33-year-old is the reigning Shirley Brown Medallist for the WNPL Player of the Year after a standout 2020 campaign with Inter, in which she slotted 27 goals from 18 appearances.
Prior to joining Inter, Rojas spent two seasons (2016 and 2017) with Adelaide University and ended her stint there with 66 goals.
She then featured with W League side Canberra United in 2018/19 season and after spells overseas before returning to Adelaide.
Rojas played 12 games with United this W League season and slotted one goal.
LUCY ADAMOPOULOS
West Adelaide
The former Adelaide United W League player overcame two horrific accidents and is lucky to still be playing soccer.
In 2012, a drunk driver crashed into Adamopoulos’ SUV head-on and she sustained a fractured skull.
Then in 2014, a railing she was leaning on broke and she fell from a raised deck on to a stake at North Adelaide.
She was in an induced coma for 10 days and had two operations before managing to get herself fit again and spent a season on United’s list.
The defender, who is the daughter of ex-Hellas soccer star and Aussie rules player Harry Adamopoulos, is set to shine on the pitch with West Adelaide this year.
NPL SA ROUND ONE FIXTURE:
■ Campbelltown City v Adelaide City — Steve Woodcock Sports Centre, Friday April 9 at 8.15pm.
■ Croydon Kings v Sturt Lions — Jack Smith Park, Saturday April 10 at 2.30pm.
■ Cumberland United v Adelaide Olympic — at A.A. Bailey Reserve, Saturday April 10 at 3pm.
■ Adelaide Comets v MetroStars — SA Athletics Stadium, Saturday April 10 at 3pm.
■ South Adelaide v Adelaide United youth — O’Sullivans Beach Sports and Community Centre, Sunday, April 11 at 5pm.
■ Adelaide Blue Eagles v Adelaide Croatia Raiders — Marden Sports Centre, Monday April 12 at 8.15pm.
WNPL SA ROUND ONE FIXTURE:
■ Adelaide University v Adelaide City — The Parks, Friday April 9 at 6.15pm.
■ Salisbury Inter v Football SA NTC — The Parks, Friday April 9 at 8.15pm.
■ Fulham United v West Adelaide — Adelaide Shores Football Centre, Saturday, April 10 at 5pm.
■ Adelaide Comets v Metro United — SA Athletics Stadium, Saturday April 10 at 5pm.
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