Central Coast Football Men’s Premier League: final preview and players to watch
There are hard-nosed defenders, crafty midfielders and ruthless strikers. Ahead of the MPL finals, check out how the teams are shaping up and the gamebreakers for each side.
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One week after the finals of the women’s competition kicked off, it’s time for the men to get into finals fever as the top four face off in the Central Coast Men’s Premier League.
On Saturday night at 7pm last year’s grand final winners Terrigal will look to take the first step towards defending its title when the team takes on Berkeley Vale in the elimination minor semi-final at Pluim Park 1.
Meanwhile at the same venue on Sunday afternoon at 5pm it’ll be the clash of the big guns, with league premiers Killarney District hoping to continue its excellent season when it takes on the impressive Southern Ettalong United.
Ahead of this weekend’s action we’ve taken a look at all four sides’ path to the finals, how they’re shaping up and highlighted a couple of players to watch during what promises to be a big weekend of football.
Catch up with your ultimate MPL guide below.
Killarney District
1st (13 wins, four draws, one loss – 43 points)
It has been another magical year for Killarney District, with the team going through the regular season with just one loss to claim a remarkable seventh-straight premiership.
“After last year where we won 18 games in a row in the league and won the league and now to do it again and only drop one game this year, I’m really pleased for the boys,” said coach Chris Ackerley. “I always put a lot of credence in winning the league because it shows your consistency over the whole season.”
While the team scored the equal-most amount of goals during the season with 55, defensively is where it really separated itself from the field, conceding just 17 to be comfortably the best defensive outfit.
“Defensively we’ve been really sound,” said Ackerley. “We’ve had four blokes plus a keeper who have mainly been the same week in, week out. Defensively our shape throughout the whole team for the whole season has been great.”
And while the club places the most credence on finishing first after the regular season, Ackerley says back-to-back grand final losses, including last year’s heartbreaking defeat to Terrigal in the decider, has the team fired up to go one better this year.
“I think this year might be a bit different in regards to the boys having a bit of a point to prove,” said the coach.
Will Hamilton
Lightning quick down the flank, the young left back is a key asset for his side both in defence and going forward.
“His pace in unbelievable and is huge bonus for us,” said Ackerley.
Jayden Radford
Killarney’s rock in the middle of the park, Radford’s often unnoticed work in middle has been crucial to the side’s brilliant season.
“He does all the work that no one notices,” said Ackerley. “He never stops, just cleans up everything and is a big part of our success.”
Andy Klijn
He might have only played about half the season due to injuries, but that hasn’t stopped the forward banging in 13 goals as he looms as a key attacking threat for the premiers on Sunday.
“When he’s fit, he’s one of the top two or three players in the league,” said Ackerley.
Southern Ettalong United
2nd (12 wins, three draws, three losses – 39 points)
Awaiting Killarney District will be a very impressive Southern Ettalong United side that finished just four points behind the leaders in what was an excellent 2023 campaign.
“It’s been a great year,” said coach Dale Eggleton. “I think this is the most consistent we’ve been. We had a little lapse mid-season where we dropped some points to mid-table teams but we got back on track.”
With a well-balanced side across the park, the Lions have risen another level this year and loom as genuine contenders ahead of the finals.
“We’ve got a good blend of youth and experience in the side,” said the coach. “Now it’s finals and it’s a whole different ball game again.”
With the Lions facing off with Killarney District to try book their spot in the grand final, just how can they upset the minor premiers?
“You’ve got to concentrate for the full 90 minutes – or 120 minutes if it happens in finals – and you’ve got to take the game to them,” said Eggleton. “We’ve beaten them on the odd occasion over the years but they can punish you from everywhere. They’re very dangerous and they’ve got a lot of speed.”
Jack Elwood
A powerful force in midfield, Elwood brings a strong presence to the middle of the park and will be key if the Lions are to break up Killarney’s transition from defence to attack.
“He’s a very strong player and he wins the ball well,” said Eggleton. “He’s very good in the air and is a threat from set pieces due to his aerial ability.”
Jacob Lepre
The crafty number 10 has been a key source of goals and assists this season, with his sweet left foot particularly dangerous if given a yard of space.
“He’s very good on the ball, has very good vision and is very dangerous in and around goal,” said Eggleton.
Keith Gumbs
He might be 50 years old, but the former Saint Kitts and Nevis international still has plenty to offer the team up front, with his sharpness and excellent game awareness proving invaluable throughout the season.
“He still looks like he’s about 25,” said Eggleton. “He’s been great for the younger players, great for the youth of the club. He’s amazing.”
Terrigal United
3rd (11 wins, one draw, six losses – 34 points)
It has been a slightly tricky season for the back-to-back grand final winners, with Terrigal overcoming some season-ending injuries and the absence of a slew of players on overseas holidays to finish third.
“There were times throughout the season where we were really down to the bare bones, so I think the lads and the coaching staff deserve huge credit for being able to get ourselves into the finals positions,” said coach Peter Edwards.
With most players now back on deck, the coach is confident the team can build and give the competition a real shake.
“It’s been an interesting ride and I’ve almost felt like there’s been a bit of a revamp and the attitude and focus of the boys has picked back up again having what almost feels like some new players in the squad, which has really been a big lift,” he said.
In addition to the return of key players, Edwards says the fact that the team was able to go through last year’s minor semi-final all the way to winning the grand final has also given the team plenty of belief that they can do it again.
“I think it feels like deja vu for some of the boys,” he said.
“I think there’s definitely a real belief. Going into the final game needing a win to cement our spot in the top four, the pressure didn’t seem to rattle the boys, which I’m really impressed with.
“In the games that are so important and that people might find real pressure in and could buckle under, they seem to strive in those moments. They have a crazy self-belief that you can’t coach. We feel that now we’re in the finals, we can go all the way.”
They’ll take on Berkeley Vale in the minor semi. And while the team is likely to be buoyed after defeating the Wombats 2-1 in last weekend’s final regular season clash, Terrigal’s coach says the back-to-back fixtures do bring their own challenges.
“For me, it’s actually probably more stressful,” said Edwards. “I think for the players they’ll take some self-confidence out of it.
“But for me it’s a tricky situation because they’ve seen how we play and we’ve seen how they play literally last week, so now you’re unsure on whether they’re going to set up the same.”
Jai McNamara
The skipper is a rock for Terrigal in the centre of defence. A strong defender who is good on ball and who also boasts a lethal long throw, McNamara will be key to his team’s success.
“He’s a real leader amongst us,” said Edwards. “He’s a big, powerful centre-back and he gets on the ball a lot.”
Stu Adams
One of Terrigal’s most potent threats in the front third, Adams is a big-game player who has the ability to open up opposition defences.
“He’s just truly gifted in creating something out of nothing at times,” said Edwards.
“An amazing distributor of the ball, can score long-range goals, incredibly dangerous in the final third and I’m looking towards him to be a potential game-winner for us on the weekend.”
Ben Flakus
The right winger has caused his opponents plenty of headaches over the course of the season, using his speed to get in behind opposition defences to bring home a bag of goals over the course of 2023.
“He’s rapid, he’s electrically fast. His speed is always a danger for any team,” said Edwards. “He’s direct, super positive, super forward-thinking and he can cause teams a lot of havoc.”
Berkeley Vale
4th (nine wins, five draws, four losses – 32 points)
Arguably the most difficult team to predict out of the top four, Berkeley Vale has built well throughout the season and done well to qualify for the finals given the significant player turnover in the off-season.
“We’ve had basically a brand-new side put together this year so to make the semi-finals is really good,” said coach Mark Pratt. “We’re comfortable with how we’ve sat for the season and we just need to re-shape ourselves for the semi-final series and hopefully continue on.”
While the new faces took some time to gel with each other, once they did, they certainly hit their straps, with the Wombats netting the equal most goals throughout the regular season with 55.
“Probably two-thirds of those goals have come in the back-half of the season, so that’s a sign of how things have improved,” said Pratt.
While the team will be missing some key players ahead of its clash with Terrigal, the coach said the players will be up for the challenge, despite going down to their opponents 2-1 just last weekend.
“It’s a mindset, really,” said Pratt. “Last weekend had different circumstances, a different pitch. Pluim Park should allow both teams to play better football and not worry about making mistakes.
“It’s a new set of rules – if you lose, you’re out – and we’re playing on a much better surface so I think the circumstances are so different that it writes itself a different script.”
Kane Woolston
The striker is one of the competition’s leading goalscorers this year and has the ability to punish teams if given half a yard of space.
“Kane’s got a good eye for goal and when he’s in form he’s nearly unstoppable.”
Shane Littlehales
A new recruit to the club this season from Kariong, the midfielder has made a huge impact for the Wombats.
“He’s got a high work rate, he’s an exceptional player and good clubman,” said Pratt.
Nick Trengrove
Another in his first season for the club, the former Mariners’ academy product has been strong for the for Berkeley Vale in the centre of defence.
“He’s an exceptional player who has been excellent for us,” said Pratt.
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