Check out every NPL Victoria club’s ins and outs and season prediction

After an enthralling 2023, expect the NPL Victoria drama to go to another level this year. Check out every club’s ins and outs and our season predictions.

Avondale claims the NPL Victoria championship

The new NPL Victoria season is upon us.

After an enthralling 2023 season, expect the drama to go to another level this season.

Any number of teams are in the hunt for a premiership and top-six finish.

Clubs have brought in some elite talent over the off-season, from across Australia and the world, cement Victoria as the pre-eminent competition under the A-League.

Check out every club’s ins and outs and predicted finish below.

Liston Diaz celebrates a goal for Avondale. Picture: Josh Chadwick

AVONDALE

Last season: NPL Premier (22-3-1, champion)

Coach: Zoran Markovski

Ins: Cian Cuba (Altona Magic), Yusuf Ahmed (Salisbury United, SA), Kur Kur (Brisbane Roar), Mayen Mayen (Western United)

Outs: Liam Boland (Kingsway Olympic, WA), Zander Guy (Gold Coast Knights, Queensland), James Riccobene (St Albans), Gavin DiNiese (Dandenong Thunder), Phillip Riccobene

Key player: Kristian Trajceski

One of the competition’s elite duel threat midfielders who scores and creates goals. Will once again be central to the Avengers hopes of defending their premiership and championship crowns.

Verdict: The Avengers have lost a couple of key personnel from their double-winning season but the likes of George Mells and George Ott have now had a full pre-season to integrate, while coach Zoran Markovski is excited by the potential of additions Cuba, Ahmed and Kur. Incumbent Yusuf Ahmed is set to take his game to a new level after making his international debut for Somalia late last year. Expect Avondale to defend its premiership and championship to the death.

SOUTH MELBOURNE

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

Coach: Esteban Quintas

Ins: Harrison Sawyer (VPS, Finland), Josh Francou (Melbourne Victory), Zak Spiteri (Port Melbourne), Emile Peios (Melbourne City), Jordon Lampard (Green Gully), Ross Archibald (Port Melbourne), Mario Barcia (Bentleigh), Nahuel Bonada (Green Gully)

Outs: Patrick Langlois (Northern Colorado Hailstorm, USA), Kosta Emmanuel (Brunswick City), Marcus Schröen (Preston Lions), Alun Webb (Northcote City), Perry Lambropoulos (Bentleigh Greens), Nathan Hancock (Port Melbourne), Ben Djiba (Dandenong Thunder), Ali Sulemani (Dandenong Thunder), Lirim Elmazi (Dandenong Thunder), Bradley Norton (Essendon Royals)

Key player: Jake Marshall

Pretty obvious to name the reigning Gold Medallist but Marshall will have even more responsibility this season after the departure of usual running mates such as Ben Djiba, Lirim Elmazi and Brad Norton. Will have a big say in weather South retains its title as the NPL’s stingiest defence.

Verdict: South has tweaked its squad after coming agonisingly close to silverware last season, finishing second to Avondale in the premiership and championship. The return of 2022 Golden Boot winner Harrison Sawyer might just prove the difference and he’s taken the captain’s armband too, so a late-season move this year would be a shock. Owned arguably the best defence in the competition last season but that’s also where a number of the changes have been. Expect Hellas to be in the hunt again and potentially head for the National Second Division with one more trophy in the kit bag.

OAKLEIGH CANNONS

Last season: 3rd (19-4-5, preliminary final)

Coach: Chris Taylor

Ins: Asad Kasumovic (Adelaide United, SA), Moonib Adus (Bentleigh), Noah Holmes (Western United), Ajak Deu (St Albans)

Outs: Kingsley Sinclair (Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand), Daniel Clark (Green Gully), Brandon Lundy (Caroline Springs George Cross), Wade Dekker (Dandenong Thunder), Chris Lucas, Alexander Fiechtner, Anton Mlinaric (Marconi)

Key player: Connor Hampson

Arguably the best defender in the NPL along with South’s Jake Marshall. Hampson was the competition’s leading goalscorer among defenders last season, finding the back of the net seven times while also being a key member of the third best defence, conceding just 25 goals.

Verdict: The Cannons have added some nice pieces over the summer. A Dockerty Cup title was good reward for a season that also saw the club finish third in the league and reach a preliminary final. However, Oakleigh will want more this season and will always be a danger as long as Joe Guest, Connor Hampson and Alex Salmon are on the park. Expect the club to again be in the top echelon of premiership contenders.

MELBOURNE KNIGHTS

Last season: 4th (15-5-8, preliminary final)

Coach: Ben Surey (new)

Ins: Saïf Eddine Sakhi (La Louvière, Belgium), Tommy Semmy (Altona Magic), Thomas Woerndl (Altona Magic), Ben Carrigan (Bentleigh)

Outs: Anton Kinnander (Bentleigh), Ben Collins (Heidelberg United), Luka Kolic (Melbourne Victory), Josh Phelps

Key player: Mitch Hore

Enjoyed a standout first season at Knights Stadium, scoring three goals in the league and a couple of critical goal in the club’s historic Australia Cup run. The young Queenslander will be looking to take his game up another level in 2024 and that should put Knights in premiership contention.

Verdict: A a squad that finished fourth, went to a preliminary final and Australia Cup semi-final and it’s hard not to think the Knights have only improved. The addition of Sakhi, Semmy, Woerndl and Carrigan should bolster the attack and defence. However, much like last season it will be Knights’ performances against the “big three” Avondale, South and Oakleigh that decides its season. They went 0-3-3 in 2023 and finished 19 points off the pace. Things will only get harder this year with several teams improving – albeit on paper – but Knights remain short odds to be challenges for silverware on several fronts.

Gian Albano in action for Melbourne Knights.

PORT MELBOURNE

Last season: 5th (13-5-8, elimination final)

Coach: Nick Marinos (new)

Ins: Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov (CSKA Sofia, Bulgaria), Georgy Shalamanov-Trenkov (Slavia Sofia, Bulgaria), Amanhom Khamis (Moreland City), Eoghan Stokes (Christchurch United, New Zealand), Jesse Barber (Geelong), Alec Becvinovski (Melbourne City), Andrico Mesourouni (Kingston City), Daniel Serra (North Geelong), Lucas Byrns (Western United), Nathaniel Hancock (South Melbourne), Emmanuel Peters (Dandenong City)

Outs: Luca Tevere (Green Gully), Andrew Withers (Bentleigh Greens), Mark Leonard (Western United), Dylan Leonard (Western United), Caio de Godoy (St George Saints, NSW), Josh Wilkins (Northcote City), Valli Cesnik (Dandenong City), Fletcher McFarlane (Hume City), Jalil Regague (Green Gully), Troy Ruthven, Zak Spiteri (South Melbourne), Chris Duggan (Scotland), Jay Romanovski (Dandenong Thunder)

Key player: Eoghan Stokes

The Irishman arrives from Kiwi club Christchurch United but developed his game at English power Leeds before several stops across Ireland and Scotland. With such a big turnover of players over the off-season, Port will be looking for their experienced import to lead the way.

Verdict: The off-season has seen big changes at Port Melbourne and it is going to take time before we see what the team is capable of. However, there are some intriguing additions that are sure to catch the eye, including goalkeeper Iliya Shalamanov-Trenkov, Irish import Eoghan Stokes and Western United graduate Lucas Byrns. Nick Marinos is a proven record of success, last year leading the Sharks under-21s to the premiership and previously working in Greece at Zakynthos. While it’s hard to see them challenging the “big boys”, Port remain a strong finals contender and from there anything happen.

ALTONA MAGIC

Last season: 6th (13-2-12, elimination final)

Coach: Goran Lozanovski (new)

Ins: Alexander Gust (Melbourne Victory), Saad Moukachar (NK Rudes Zagreb, Croatia), Bul Juach (Dobrudzha Dobrich, Bulgaria), Jawad Rezai (Hume City), Stephen Lawless (Werribee City), Nathan Liberto (Brunswick Juventus), Jay Kelly (Brunswick Juventus), Nedim Skenderevic (Box Hill United), Aaron O’Driscoll (Christchurch United, New Zealand), Nuh Sehavdic (Peninsula Power, Queensland), Ben Ratajczak (South Melbourne), Jordan Dellidis (Melbourne City), Hayden Browne (Heidelberg United), Daniel Fabrizio (St Albans), Haji Ismail (Kingston City)

Outs: Jonas Markovski (Brisbane Roar), Tom Woerndl (Melbourne Knights), Alex Castiello (Manningham United), Zac Bowling (Newcastle Jets), Zayne Ahluwalia (Manningham United), Ashton Ahluwalia (Green Gully), Aaron Anderson (Preston Lions), Robert Harding (Manningham United), Tommy Semmy (Melbourne Knights), Cian Cuba (Avondale), Charlie Leech (Port Melbourne)

Key player: Stephen Lawless

The reigning VPL1 Player of the Year steps up from Werribee City to lead Altona’s midfield. The Irishman will provide the experience and class in what looms as young and developing Magic outfit.

Verdict: There’s been an almost complete overhaul at Paisley Park after an off-season that saw coach John Markovski move on after taking the club to finals for the first time since 2009, Scott Miller appointed for less than a week and finally former Socceroo Goran Lozanovski return to the club he previously guided to the State League 1 North-West championship in 2017 and NPL2 West championship in 2018. Goalkeeper Christian Rossi has taken on the captaincy for 2024 with Johnny Stojcevski and Darcy Anastovski reserving as deputies. Despite the difficult off-season the club has made some shrewd recruiting moves and while finals might be a bit of a reach, a mid-table finish looks likely.

GREEN GULLY

Last season: 7th (13-1-12)

Coach: Stephen Downes

Ins: Jae Ciarma (Western United), Adisu Bayew (Western United), Dalibor Markovic (Preston Lions), Jamie Latham (Moreland City), Ashton Ahluwalia (Altona Magic), Jalil Regague (Port Melbourne), Luca Tevere (Port Melbourne), Lucas Derrick (Bentleigh Greens)

Outs: Mitchell Graham (Brunswick Juventus), Jordon Lampard (South Melbourne), Alan Gerez (St Albans), Tyler Vecchio (Northcote City), Danny Kim (Dandenong City), James Doyle (Bentleigh Greens), Luc Jeggo (Preston Lions), Nahuel Bonada (South Melbourne), Ismail Haji (Altona Magic)

Key player: Josh Hope

Won the Cavaliers’ best-and-fairest and Players Player last year after a strong showing in midfield. One of the competition’s best at either scoring goals or setting them up and has a few more attacking weapons around him this season.

Verdict: The Cavaliers have made some big moves this off-season as they look to return to finals action. However, can they achieve more than that? What can we read into a 7-0 win over South Melbourne in a pre-season friendly? Is it a sign of what Gully is capable of? While Jordan Lampard and Luc Jeggo are hard to replace, the additions of Tevere, Regague, Bayew, Latham and Derrick all point to yes. Gully had the best goal difference outside the top-five last season and scored the fourth most goals but finished with a 13-1-12 record. Consistency will be key, fix that and a top-six finish is theirs for the taking.

DANDENONG THUNDER

Last season: 8th (10-3-13)

Coach: Adam Piddick (new)

Ins: Ben Djiba (South Melbourne), Lirim Elmazi (South Melbourne), Ali Sulemani (South Melbourne), Gavin DiNiese (Avondale), Danny Dixon (Bentleigh), Pierce Clark (Heidelberg United), Daniel Alessi (St George City, NSW), Aaron Evans (North East United, India), Jay Romanovski (Port Melbourne), Aiden Edwards (Oakleigh Cannons) Wade Dekker (Oakleigh Cannons), Birkan Kurdar (Melbourne Victory), Jordan Smiley (Keflavík, Iceland), Deri Corfe (Napier City, New Zealand)

Outs: Grad Damen (TOP Oss, Holland), Harry Ascroft (Hume City), Scott Lochhead (Bentleigh Greens), Erdeniz Yildiz (Bentleigh Greens), Kieran Dover (Bentleigh Greens), Leo Mazis (Heidelberg United), Luke Pavlou (Bentleigh Greens), Alex Baker (Port Melbourne), Ali Turgut (Manningham United), Harley Orr (Perth)

Key player: Wade Dekker

Previously led the line at Oakleigh Cannons and will have the big responsibility to banging in the goals at Thunder. Scored eight goals last season but was prolific in 2022, netting 16 times to finish second in the Golden Boot.

Verdict: Another club that has had an almost complete turnover over the summer with Sam Elmazi and now Adam Piddick trying to rebuild the squad. In limited time, Piddick has made some nice recruiting moves with the likes of Wade Dekker and Ben Djiba coming on board adding to existing recruits such as Daniel Alessi and Pierce Clark. However, on the flip side, Thunder favourite son Brandon Barnes has been released and key recruit Lirim Elmazi has suffered a serious knee injury. Piddick has said it will take time to get the team playing the way he wants and unfortunately playing catch up is too difficult in his competition but there remains enough quality to secure a mid-table finish.

Striker Wade Dekker has swapped Oakleigh Cannons for Dandenong Thunder.

HEIDELBERG UNITED

Last season: 9th (8-7-11)

Coach: John Anastasiadis (new)

Ins: Leo Mazis (Dandenong Thunder), Ben Collins (Melbourne Knights), Yaren Sozer (Gudja United, Malta), Asaki Yokokawa (Albirex Niigata, Singapore), Nick Stefanidakis (Hellenic, NT), Ryan Govan (Redlands, Queensland), Ben Davine (Bulleen Lions)

Outs: Pierce Clark (Dandenong Thunder), Hayden Browne (South Melbourne), Aamir Abdallah (Hume City), Kenny Athiu (Dandenong City), Shigeto Masuda (Pascoe Vale)

Key player: Sean Ellis

The Scot can open up a game with a key intercept in midfield or break open a game with a sweetly hit free kick. Currently sitting joint second on Heidelberg United’s all-time goalscoring list with 64 goals.

Verdict: A new coach and a host of new faces has the Warriors primed to jump back up the ladder. While it finished ninth, it was far from a disappointing 2023 for United, reaching the Dockerty Cup final and Australia Cup quarter-final. A mix of experienced and young talent has arrived to mix in with existing stars such as Kaine Sheppard, Adrian Zahra and Sean Ellis. Finals is certainly on the cards this season and it might be harsh before a ball has been kicked but it would be a disappointment if it didn’t happen. Expect the club to continue its rich history in the Australia Cup as well.

HUME CITY

Last season: 10th (7-7-12)

Coach: Cam Watson

Ins: Fletcher McFarlane (Port Melbourne), Aamir Abdallah (Heidelberg United), Mickel Platt (Slough, England), Harry Ascroft (Dandenong Thunder), Lloyd Isgrove (Sholing, England), /Oscar Karlsson (Gefle, Sweden)

Outs: Matthew Lazarides (Brunswick Juventus), Hayden Tennant (Pascoe Vale), Jawad Rezai (Altona Magic), Brandon Lauton (Preston Lions), Birhan Elibol (Pascoe Vale)

Key player: Lloyd Isgrove

Not to put any pressure on the bloke but his pre-season performances have shown exactly how important he’ll be to City’s ambitions this season. The Welsh international has scored in almost every friendly or been heavily involved if not the man on the scoreboard.

Verdict: There’s been plenty to like about Hume City’s off-season. From bringing in two strong overseas recruits in Platt and Isgrove and top defender Harry Ascroft to recent friendly results. The club seems more settled off the field too with Cam Watson in charge, having taken over mid-season last year. Will be one of several teams battling for a top-six finish in what looms as one of the tightest NPL seasons in recent years. No one will be surprised if Hume plays finals and if it plays to its potential it would be unlucky to miss if they don’t.

ST ALBANS

Last season: 11th (6-4-16)

Coach: Ryan McGuffie

Ins: Nick Mori (Shepparton South, BASL), James Riccobene (Avondale), Scott Bakkor (Stalybridge Celtic, England), Alan Gerez (Green Gully), Jacob Sauverain (North Geelong) Max King (Coast Coast Knights, Queensland), Josh Divin (Western United), Carter Ramsay (Eastern Lions), Adam Hodor (time off), Marco Bulic (Sutherland Sharks, NSW)

Outs: Zach Thomas (Maitland, NSW), Ajak Deu (Oakleigh Cannons), Lathan Dunn (Olympic, Queensland), Daniel Fabrizio (Altona Magic), Justin Micallef (Brunswick Juventus)

Key player: Michael Grgic

The skipper looks to keep things tight in midfield and get forward when possible. Finished as the club’s second top goalscorer last season with four goals. Will need help in 2024 if the Saints are to stay in the top-flight.

Verdict: Importantly, the Saints have improved their depth this season, which was a major factor in their 12th placed finish and brush with relegation. The club has brought in strength and conditioning and medical personnel for the pre-season in a bid to have the team fit and healthy for not only the start of the season but the middle and end too. After a difficult first season in charge, Ryan McGuffie is moulding the team in his image and 2024 will give us a better picture of what St Albans is capable of. Some strong additions, including Bakkor, King and Riccobene will have the club eyeing the safety of mid-table.

MORELAND CITY

Last season: 12th (4-4-18)

Coach: David Ostojic

Ins: Jose Arancibia (CD Trasandino de Los Andes, Chile), Curtis Miley (Clarence Zebras, Tasmania), Diego Cuba (Eastern Suburbs, Queensland), Eligian Kifle (North Sunshine), Kasra Karamad (Melbourne City), Nuoman Aliy (North Sunshine), Deane Watters (Brunswick Juventus)

Outs: Jamie Latham (Green Gully), James Hooper (Runcorn Linnets, England), Peter Constantinou (Brunswick City), Evan Panagopoulos (Boroondara-Carey), Amanhom Khamis (Port Melbourne), Byron Figueroa (Brunswick City)

Key player: Corey Thomas

The ever-reliable skipper will once again marshall the troops in midfield and look to shield his back four as much as possible. Scored one goal last season and there’s no doubt he and the club would love a few more in 2024.

Verdict: City survived relegation by the skin of its teeth last season and let’s get this out of the way early, there’s a good chance it will be battling to survive again this season. There’s certainly some promising talent, including new arrivals Diego Cuba and Curtis Miley and existing players such as Alex Kondoleon, Fletcher Fulton and Kur Arob. Last year, three of Moreland’s four wins came against fellow bottom four clubs, finishing 3-0-3, and that will again be a key stat. Beat the teams around you and stay up.

DANDENONG CITY

Last season: First VPL1 (15-4-7, premier, promotion)

Coach: Nick Tolios

Ins: Kenny Athiu (Heidelberg United), James Xydias (Altona Magic), Tim Atherinos (Melbourne Victory), Danny Kim (Green Gully), Kyan Bryant (Sunshine Coast Wanderers, Queensland), Stefan Brecevic (Bulleen Lions), Valli Cesnik (Port Melbourne), Seb Hernando (Manningham United), Luke Saunders (Melbourne City)

Outs: John Kuol (Dandenong Thunder), Jamie Forrester, Emmanuel Peters (Port Melbourne), Riley Bidois (Wellington Phoenix), Luca Slavica (Doveton), Lechen Yang

Key player: Damian Iaconis

City’s leading goalscorer last season and sixth overall with 11 goals. The experienced striker will be asked to take his game up another level in the top-flight if Hadjuk are to survive and thrive this season.

Verdict: The reigning VPL1 (or NPL2 as it was known last year) champion bounces straight back into the top-flight and look better prepared to succeed in 2024. The likes of Kenny Athiu, Seb Hernando, Danny Kim and Valli Cesnik have been added to a championship-winning squad. One that, critically, hasn’t suffered major departures. Like any coach Nick Tolios will want a few more goals this season after ranking seventh last year but the defence was formidable, giving up the fewest goals (30) in the competition. The trip out to Frank Holohan Reserve will be difficult for any team this season and a mid-table finish looks odds on.

MANNINGHAM UNITED

Last season: Second VPL1 (12-8-6, promotion)

Coach: George Karkaletsis

Ins: Nathan Dib (Preston Lions), Abdul Abdella (Ashfield, WA), Giannis Georgopoulos (Northcote City), Tom Golding (Eastern Lions), Marco Tavella (Northcote City), Robert Harding (Altona Magic), Alex Castiello (Altona Magic), Rhys Dufton (Melbourne City), Chris Theodorakopoulos (Bentleigh Greens), Claudio Sikora (Banyule City), Ali Turgut (North Sunshine)

Outs: Seb Hernando (Dandenong City), Fuki Ishibashi (Sydenham Park), Ryan Love (East Altona), Philip Theodorakopoulos (Westvale), Harry Theodorakopoulos (Westvale), Henrique Pimenta, Gera Bilyansky

Key player: Ben Everson

Showcased his eye for goal in a stunning late-season purple patch. Joined the Blues mid-season after Preston Lions and scored an incredible 11 goals in eight matches, finishing the season with 15 to finish second in the VPL1 Golden Boot. The Blues will be looking for him to continue that red-hot form in the top-flight.

Verdict: By the club’s admission the jump to the top-flight came a little earlier than expected by that hasn’t stopped Manningham from dreaming big now it’s here. While losing best-and-fairest Seb Hernando was disappointing, given the circumstances, the club has added some good talent, headlined by the likes of Georgopoulos, Dufton, Theodorakopoulos and Harding. Ben Everson was arguably the hottest goalscorer in Victorian football in the second half of last year and will be crucial again. A good start to the season will be critical for the club’s hopes of survival but as it showed last season, a big finish can be just as important.