Check out every NPL club’s major recruits and season expectations for 2023

The Victorian National Premier League season is almost upon us again. We’ve compiled every club’s major recruits and season expectations.

Club-by-club NPL 2023 season preview.

The Victorian National Premier League season is on us again.

Arguably the strongest state football league in Australia will see former Socceroos, A-League stars and international guns take the field.

All eyes will be on Oakleigh Cannons to see if they can defend their championship crown following a stunning off-season recruiting spree.

However, the likes of premiers South Melbourne, Port Melbourne Sharks, Heidelberg United and traditional powers Melbourne Knights and Bentleigh Greens will be coming for the crown.

We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of every club’s major recruits and departures ahead of Thursday’s season opener between South Melbourne and newcomers Moreland City.

Check out our club-by-club preview below and tell us who you think will in champions in 2023.

Wade Dekker celebrates a goal for Oakleigh Cannons.

ALTONA MAGIC

Coach: John Markovski

Captain: TBC

Last season: 10th (8-3-14)

Ins: Paolo Bonanni (Llosettense, Spain), Cian Cuba (Olympic FC), Darcy Anastovski (Melbourne Victory), Charlie Leech (Perth Glory), Zac Bowling (Broadmeadows Magic), Justin Micallef (Melbourne Knights), Christian Rossi (Werribee City), Aaron Anderson (Melbourne Victory)

Outs: Chris Oldfield (Melbourne Knights)

Star Player: Alex Castiello

The commanding centre back is the rock that the Magic’s team is built on. Played 24 of 26 matches last season and will again be relied upon to keep things tight at the back and allow his teammates to attack.

Verdict: John Markovski returns to Paisley Park for his third stint in charge of the Magic and is confident he has the talent at his disposal to lift the club back into finals contention. After a 10th place finish last season, Markovski has brought in a host of new talent and experience. Paolo Bonanni arrives from Spain, while Darcy Anastovski and Aaron Anderson were with Melbourne Victory’s NPL team last season. Altona will be a young team – Markovski estimates the average age is about 23 – but said he had high expectations. Finish: 12-14

AVONDALE

Coach: Zoran Markovski

Captain: Mathew Reid

Last season: Seventh (12-4-10)

Ins: Zander Guy (St Albans), Gavin De Niese (Dandenong City), Tom Manos (Melbourne Knights), Ayden Brice (Melbourne Knights), Mackenzie Syron (St George Cross), Tomoki Wada (Persikabo, Indonesia)

Outs: Scott Hilliar, Stefan Valentini, Brandon Lundy, Bon Scott, Jem Berkant, Thom Jonkerman

Star Player: Kristian Trajceski

Avondale’s club best-and-fairest and joint leading goalscorer last season, along with Liam Boland, on seven. The dynamic forward will have a big say in Avondale’s fortunes this season with his ability to not only finish in front of goal but also create opportunities for teammates.

Verdict: The Avengers missed the top-six by just two points in a cruel finish to the home-and-away season, dropping out of the six with a final-round loss to South Melbourne. A long and busy campaign – which started back in December 2021 with a Dockerty Cup triumph, took a toll on the squad with Avondale having to juggle a run to the Australia Cup quarter-final, where it lost on penalties to A-League club Brisbane Roar, with its NPL commitments. However, coach Zoran Markovski is excited by what the new season will bring with a host of changes giving his team a new look. “We’re fresh, we’re hungry and I think with the new boys coming in it has rejuvenated the squad,” he said. Finish: 8-11

Liam Boland scores a penalty for Avondale against Brisbane Roar.

BENTLEIGH GREENS

Coach: Petr Tichy

Captain: Ben Carrigan

Last season: Fifth, elimination final (12-6-9)

Ins: Mario Barcia (Oakleigh Cannons), Daniel Lucente (Pasco Vale), Scott Hiliar (Avondale), Bon Scott (Avondale), Mitchell Rooke (Lambton Jaffas), Aydin Mustedanagic (Pasco Vale), Luka Ninkovic (Heidelberg), Gavin O’Reilly (Shamrock Rovers, Ireland), Alec Mills (Brisbane Roar), Thiak Kuel (Inglewood United), Jackson Morgan (Perth SC), Manase Abandelwa (Inglewood United), Alex Baker (Throttur, Reykjavik, Iceland), Mawien Nielo (Langwarrin), Kane Runge (Dandenong Thunder), Alex Baker (Iceland), Mawien Nielo (Langwarrin).

Outs: Jack Painter-Andrews (South Melbourne), Danny Kim (South Melbourne), Yagoub Mustafa (Hume City), Jack Webster (Dandenong City), Pierce Clark (Perth Glory), Mitch Hore (Knights), Pierce Waring (Gully), Seb Matosevic (Preston), George Lambadaridis (Dandy City), Corey Sewell (Knights), Ajak Riak (South Melbourne), Jacob Alexander (Dandy City), Tommy Fogarty-Cameron, Ken Krolicki (US), Noah McGrath.

Star Player: Manase Abandelwa

The Western Australian winger will be an exciting player to watch in the Greens line up this season. He is a short nippy winger who is not afraid to take players on with his dribbling skills and speed. Abandelwa also has a good strike from mid range.

Verdict: With several new players and a new coach needing some time to gain some chemistry, it may take a few games before the Greens find their groove this season. Coach Petr Tichy came into the senior coaching role just before Christmas after Alfredo Constantino relinquished his role to pursue a Professional Football Licence Course in Florence, Italy. Tichy said his focus was on building confidence in his team. “I want to make sure that we are fearless,” he said. “It’s a new team so from the start I am trying to instil confidence in them and believing and playing as one team, united. “So that’s my first job to make sure we are confident in the ability of every individual player so we play as a unit, have a good defensive structure without the ball and are fearless going forward. Tichy said he was hoping for a top four finish. With a few exciting recruits including Mitch Rooke, Mario Barcia and Abandelwa, the Greens look set for another promising campaign. Finish: 4-7

DANDENONG THUNDER

Coach: David Chick

Captain: Harry Ascroft

Last season: Eighth (11-5-10)

Ins: Luke Adams (Green Gully), Grad Damen (Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Netherlands), Leo Mazis (Hume City), Mamadi Kamara (Green Gully), Keiran Dover (Langwarrin), Kasper Hallam (Melbourne Victory), Geoff Lino (St George City), Majak Mawaith (Port Melbourne)

Outs: Tomas Maracic (Hume City), Ali Sulimani (South Melbourne), Jack Simmons (Sydney Olympic), Noah James (Newcastle Jets), Cameron McGilp (Oakleigh Cannons), Kane Runge (Bentleigh Greens)

Star Player: Scott Lochhead

Made a big impact on arrival mid-season from Oakleigh Cannons and has committed to the Thunder again for 2023. A full pre-season with the club will no doubt have the young midfielder primed to build on his strong start to life at George Andrews Reserve.

Verdict: The Thunder came within four points of snapping their NPL finals drought and are determined to go at least one step further in 2023 and break into the top-six. With Lochhead now locked in and the inclusions of the likes of New Zealand international Luke Adams, South Sudan international Majak Mawaith, Celtic youth talent Leo Mazis and experienced Dutchman Grad Damen, there’s no reason the Thunder can’t compete with the competition’s heavyweights. Coach David Chick expected several mid-table clubs to improve this season but believed his squad was better prepared than it was at the start of 2022 and had improved depth. Keep an eye out for the Round 3 clash with reigning premier Oakleigh Cannons with an crowd estimated to be in the thousands at George Andrews Reserve. Finish: 8-11

GREEN GULLY

Coach: Stephen Downs

Captain: Luc Jeggo

Last season: Fourth, preliminary final (15-3-10)

Ins: Thierry Iradukunda (Melbourne Knights), Pierce Waring (Bentleigh Greens), Taylor Schrijvers (Melbourne Knights)

Outs: Luke Adams (Dandenong Thunder), Alex Salmon (Oakleigh Cannons), Jeremy Walker (personal).

Star player: Josh Hope

If he can stay injury free, Hope will showcase why he is a class above the NPL level. He is a former 27-game Melbourne Victory attacking midfielder who has also represented Australia at under-17 and under-20 level.

Prediction: With an average age of just over 22, Green Gully are set for another solid campaign which they hope can continue from last season’s preliminary final finish. Green Gully coach Stephen Downs said that “nothing has really changed in our belief” heading into season 2023. “Obviously we want to go a step further than what we did last year,” he said. Finish: 4-7

HEIDELBERG UNITED

Coach: George Katsakis

Captain: Adrian Zahra

Last season: Sixth, elimination final (13-3-11)

Ins: Chris Theodoridis (Preston Lions), Kenny Athiu (Visakha, Cambodia), Shigetu Masuda (Blaublitz Akita, Japan), Jamie Wilson (Falkirk, Scotland), Danny Dixon (Hume City), Sabit James (Western United), Bilal Habib (Pascoe Vale), Anthony Lesiotis (Melbourne Victory), Hayden Brown (St Albans), Maksim Ilic (Fitzroy City)

Outs: Reuben Way (NSW) Yerasimakis Petratos (NSW), Kosta Petratos (NSW), Ivan Franjic (Melbourne Knights), Joseph Franjic (Melbourne Knights), Brian Summerskill (St Albans)

Star Player: Kaine Sheppard

The former A-League striker netted 15 times last season, good enough for third most in the league. He had little help last season with the Warriors’ next best Sean Ellis’ scoring five. However, this season will be different with the return of Kenny Athiu and some creative additions in midfield. Sheppard will be even more dangerous with defences spread.

Verdict: United coach George Katsakis admits there’s been a “massive turnover” in the off-season but the Warriors are still a force to be reckoned with. The loss of the Franjic and Petratos brothers as well as Reuben Way hurts but with the return of Kenny Athiu and the additions of Anthony Lesiotis and overseas pair Shigetu Masuda and Jamie Wilson there’s plenty of talent. The likes of Adrian Zahra, Joshua Pin, Sean Ellis and Kaine Sheppard remain to form the team’s core. Katsakis says it will take time for his team to “find the right formula” but knows his club traditional starts slow before finding their feet and being in top form come finals time. Finish: 1-3

Anthony Lesiotis in action for Melbourne Victory. Picture: George Salpigtidis

HUME CITY

Coach: Ersan Gulum

Captain: Harry Monaghan

Last season: 12th (7-5-14)

Ins: Yagoub Mustafa (Bentleigh Greens), Zach Maltby (Queensland Lions), Dylan McGlade (Cork City FC, Ireland), Tomas Maricic (Dandenong Thunder), James Brown (Caroline Springs George Cross).

Outs: Danny Dixon (Heidelberg United), Alex Walter (Gold Coast United), Ali Turgut (Dandenong Thunder), Lucas Trenkovski (Western United), Shane Rexhepi (retired), Aden Gardner (North Geelong Warriors).

Star player: Mark Ochieng

The former Adelaide United right-back/winger is a delight to watch and will be a key to Hume City’s success again this season. Ochieng shows that he can push up and create scoring opportunities through turnovers but also defend brilliantly when needed in defence.

Verdict: With new coach Ersan Gulum, Hume City players will be hoping for some consistency this season following a campaign where they had four different coaches. Outgoing coach Nick Hegarty is sure to be missed at the club this season as he returns to England. The club has the firepower to win games and strive for a much improved year this campaign after having a disappointing season in 2022. Finish: 8-11

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS

Coach: Ben Cahn

Captain: Ivan Franjic

Last season: 9th (9-3-14)

Ins: Ivan Franjic (Heidelberg United), Josip Franjic (Heidelberg United), Corey Sewell (Bentleigh Greens), Chris Oldfield (Altona Magic), Mitch Hore (Bentleigh Greens), Steve Whyte (Olympic FC), Gevaro Nepomuceno (Cherno More, Bulgaria) Ciaran Bramwell (Perth Glory), Josh Phelps (United States), Tomas Karlovic (Melbourne Victory), Felipe Sanchez (Green Gully), Jakeb Wiseman (Canberra).

Outs: Thierry Iradukunda (Green Gully), Ayden Brice (Avondale), Justin Micallef (Altona Magic), Dylan Murnane, George Ott (St Albans), Thomas Manos (Avondale), Taylor Schrijvers (Green Gully), Steve Sokol.

Star Player: Ivan Franjic

It is hard to go past Ivan Franjic in the Melbourne Knights line up. The former A-League right back has played 242 games in the competition. He will return to Knights where he played 50 games between 2007 to 2008 before he began his professional career.

Verdict: The Knights look set to rise up the ladder from ninth spot last season after a few strong signings and a new coach. New Knights mentor Ben Cahn said he was looking for his side to play a positive style. “We like to play attacking football, possession based football,” Cahn said. “Obviously coming ninth is not good enough for a club of Melbourne Knights’ stature and it’s now been seven years without playing finals football.” Cahn had high expectations for the campaign which will be the club’s 70-year anniversary. “We want to win, we want to win trophies, we want to do well in the Australia Cup, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” he said. “We have massive respect for the league but we will go out with the belief that we can compete right to the very top and we will see where that takes us.” In a big year for the club, you can’t write off a possible resurgence to the finals for the Knights. Finish: 4-7

Ivan Franjic with Tim Cahill during his Melbourne City days.

MORELAND CITY

Coach: Adrian Mathers

Captain: Corey Thomas

Last season: NPL2 Premier (15-4-3) Automatic promotion

Ins: James Hooper (Runcorn Linnets, UK), Jaden Brown (Sunshine Coast), Kur Arob (Melbourne City), Chudiar Tharjiath (Kingston City)

Outs: Max Bisetto (Western United)

Star Player: Corey Thomas

The reigning NPL2 league best-and-fairest and Players’ Player award winner is sure to have a big say in City’s fortunes this season. It will be a big step up for the skipper and his entire club but the Welshman has more than enough class to standout at the top flight. If he can add a few more goals to his game this season, watch out.

Verdict: Moreland City’s hopes of survival will depend on how quickly it can find its feet at the level. It is going to take some time, further complicated by the fact the club will be playing out of CD Smith Reserve rather than their home Campbell Reserve. The club trained twice a week last season but has bumped it up to three nights for 2023 to ensure touch and fitness are as strong as possible. Coach Adrian Mathers said avoiding relegation was the first expectation and was looking forward to seeing what his team could achieve. “We’re a young team, the majority were 23 or younger last season, so the hope is we keep improving at the higher level,” he said. We’ll need to be defensively sound. Traditionally, we haven’t had issues scoring or creating chances but conceding can be an issue.” Young goalkeeper Alexander Kondoleon is just 19 and a lot will be asked of the likes of Jaden Brown, Michael Tzoutzidis, Birhan Elibol and Nicholas Bavcar. Finish: 12-14

NORTH GEELONG

Coach: Stuart Beggs

Captain: Ryan Oppermann

Last season: Second NPL2 (15-3-4) Automatic promotion

Ins: Nikola Jurkovic (St Albans), Marvin Brauweiler (Geelong SC), Ibrahim Mohamed (Geelong SC), Seth Szkuta (Corio SC), Aden Gardner (Hume City), Charlie Fleming (Cobh Ramblers, Ireland), Nelson Tshongo (Balcatta, WA), Steve Fidele (Melbourne Knights)

Outs: Noa Skoko (Croatia), Anthony Leban (Croatia), Yuji Kin (Japan), Tyrin Hutchings (Canada), Jesse Krasic (Gold Coast, Qld), Jonathan Pykett (Corio SC), Jamie Noggler (Corio SC loan)

Star Player: Caleb Mikulic

Hard to go past the prolific striker who netted an incredible 18 times in 20 NPL2 appearances last season. Will obviously find life harder against some battle-tested defences in the top flight but has more than enough class to test even the best backlines. Has formed a strong partnership with George Elliss and Nelson Salvatore up front.

Verdict: The Warriors suffered immediate relegation last time they stepped up to the top flight in 2017 and will be determined to avoid that fate again. A final-round defeat to Moreland City denied the club a premiership season as they finished second by a single point. However, the 2022 campaign showed the club has the depth and class to be more than competitive at NPL level. The additions of internationals Charlie Fleming and Marvin Brauweiler, plus experienced NPL defender Nikola Jurkovic is a big step in the right direction in terms of personnel. Coach Stuart Begg was named NPL2 Coach of the Year last season and believes the club is far better placed than last time to succeed. “I was not around when North Geelong were in the NPL last time, however the difference between now and then is what we have in the youth and the current players,” he told the Geelong Advertiser. “We are much better prepared for the future, we have depth in the squad and most are still young. The core group have been together for four years. That’s tough to find at most clubs.” “This team and club will always strive to be more, it’s in our DNA, we will look to push for a top half or finals finish, so our focus will be on that.” Finish: 12-14

North Geelong Warriors captain Ryan Opperman. Picture: Mark Wilson

OAKLEIGH CANNONS

Coach: Chris Taylor

Captain: Joe Guest

Last season: Third, champions (19-3-7)

Ins: Alex Fiechtner (Queensland Lions), Brodie Boyce (Peninsula Power), Alex Salmon (Green Gully), Brandon Lundy (Avondale), Stefan Valentini (Avondale), Cameron McGilp (Dandenong Thunder), Emlyn Wellsmore (Port Melbourne), Connor Hampson (UK), Anton Mlinaric (Brisbane Roar).

Outs: Joe Knowles (Brisbane Roar), Tyson Holmes, Mario Barcia (Bentleigh Greens), Matthew Foschini (retired), Nicolas Niagioran (Eastern Lions), Oskar Dillon (Gold Coast), Aryn Williams (Injured ACL), Hamish Millar (injured knee).

Star player: Joe Guest

The midfielder played a major part in the club’s championship-winning season last year and there would be no doubt why the 29-year-old wouldn’t be able to fire again this campaign. Guest was the winner of the 2019 Gold Medal for the best player in the NPL.

Verdict: The reigning champions have seen a few handy players retire and Gold Medallist Joe Knowles move to Brisbane Roar but with the inclusion of some star recruits, the Cannons are destined for a similar season to their last. With several players on the injury list, the Cannons will look to begin the season as well as they can before a chance of getting its best team on the park later in the season. With a full squad and strong depth, the Cannons should be one of the best teams again in the NPL this season. Finish: 1-3.

PORT MELBOURNE SHARKS

Coach: Adam Piddick

Captain: Michael Eager

Last season: Second, preliminary final (17-5-5)

Ins: Mohamed Adam (FC Imabari, Japan), Jalil Rageuge (Western United), Kamal Ibrahim (Albion Rovers), Lachlan Seeping (APEA Akrotiri, Cyprus)

Outs: Emyln Wellsmore (Oakleigh Cannons), Troy Ruthven, Lathan Dunn, Franscesco Stella, Majak Mawaith (Dandenong Thunder), Jeremy Walker (Essendon Royals)

Star Player: Chris Duggan

The Scottish striker enjoyed a fine 2022 season at Murphy Reserve, netting 15 times in 21 appearances to finish third in the league goalscoring charts. He’ll be asked to improve on that number if the Sharks are to improve on last season’s second place in the premiership and second-round finals exit.

Verdict: The Sharks were the big surprise packets of 2022, going from seventh the season prior to finish second in the premiership, finishing six points behind South Melbourne. However, a semi-final exit in extra-time at the hands of eventual champion Oakleigh Thunder will rankle. Coach Adam Piddick was named Coach of the Year at the Gold Medal awards and is confident his team can contend again in 2023. We had a good season but that was last year. We understand what we need to do to replicate that, we’re one year older and we’ve kept the core of the list together,” he said. “We probably didn’t score enough goals, we created heaps of chances – I think we ranked fifth for goals and first for chances created.” With Duggan up front and recruit Mohamed Adam, Jackson Courtney-Perkins and Luca Tevere alongside, goals should flow. Finish: 4-7

SOUTH MELBOURNE

Coach: Esteban Quintas

Captain: Brad Norton

Last season: Premier, grand final (21-2-5)

Ins: Willem Lejeune (St Albans), Nathaniel Hancock (United Arab Emirates), Ben Ratajczak (Bayswater City), Kosta Emmanuel (Eastern Lions), Ajak Riak (Bentleigh Greens), Jack Painter-Andrews (Bentleigh Greens), Ali Sulemani (Dandenong Thunder), Danny Kim (Bentleigh Greens).

Outs: Matthew Loutrakis, Jai Ingham, Isaak Torossian, Chris Irwin, Chris Couesnon.

Star player: Max Mikkola

The exciting forward often scores finds the back net with his silky skills and finishing ability. Mikkola had a sensational season in Queensland with Lions FC in 2021 where he scored 23 times in 31 appearances to feature in the team of the year. He scored six goals last season.

Verdict: Following a successful campaign where South Melbourne finished on top of the home-and-away ladder to win the premiership and reached the NPL grand final, another positive campaign under Esteban Quintas looms. With some star signings also joining, another grand final appearance looks like a strong chance. Finish: 1-3

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ST ALBANS

Coach: Ryan McGuffie

Captain: Michael Grgic

Last season: 10th (8-6-12)

Ins: Jasko Keranovic (Dandenong City), Brian Summerskill (Heidelberg United), Troy Ruthven (Port Melbourne), Zachary Thomas (Maitland FC), Aaron Oppedisano (Broadmeadows Magic), Shaun Timmins (Dandenong City), George Ott (Melbourne Knights), Joseph Colina (Melbourne Knights), Daniel Fabrizio (Southerland Sharks), Lathan Dunn (Port Melbourne), Gabriel Matti (Whittlesea Utd)

Outs: Hayden Browne (Heidelberg United), Nikola Jurkovic (North Geelong), Bradly Murray (Pascoe Vale FC), Stefan Baricevic (Brunswick Juventus), Willem Lejeune (South Melbourne), James Temelkovski (Metro Stars), Zander Guy (Avondale FC), Adam Hodor.

Star Player: Ivan Razumic

The up and coming forward was the goal scorer who got St Albans’ season off to a flyer last year when he scored against Avondale away from home to give his side the impressive 1-0 victory. The nippy winger, who has played much of his juniors at the club, could be set for another exciting season.

Verdict: With new St Albans coach Ryan McGuffie coming to the helm this season following the successful tenure of outgoing senior coach Kruni Razov, the Saints will be striving to make strides again this campaign. McGuffie notably arrives at his old club St Albans after a recent stint at Oakleigh where he was an assistant to champion coach Chris Taylor. The club has a number of new faces joining this season which may leave them needing some time to gel strongly. Finish: 8-11