North Geelong Warriors NPL Victoria season preview

NORTH Geelong Warriors make their celebrated return to top-flight NPL Victoria football. But do they have what it takes? Soccer scribe Tonci Prusac takes an in-depth look at the season ahead. ANALYSIS, INS & OUTS, PREDICTIONS.

TONCI PRUSAC

3 min read

February 16, 2023 - 12:56PM

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Local Sport

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NORTH Geelong Warriors will make their long awaited return to the state’s elite division when they travel to meet powerhouse club Bentleigh Greens in Friday night’s NPL Victoria season opener.

The last time the Elcho Park outfit participated in the state’s elite competition was back in 2017 when the newly promoted Warriors suffered relegation in their first year back in the competition.

North Geelong coach Stuart Begg Picture: Mark Wilson

Although current Warriors’ coach Stuart Begg wasn’t at the helm of the club back in 2017, he did make an interesting comparison of the past and the present.

“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,” said Begg, who was named NPL2 Coach of the Year last season for steering the Lara outfit to promotion.

“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.”

Nikola Jurkovic in action for North Geelong against Green Gully's Jem Berkant. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Warriors’ changeroom has undergone a major transformation in the off season.

Anthony Leban, Noa Skoko, Tyrin Hutchings and Yuji Kin have all departed for overseas destinations.

Hard-hitting defender Nikola Jurkovic returns to Elcho Park to provide some much needed NPL experience and will at the same time link up with his younger brother and first team striker Luka.

Irishman Charlie Fleming and German import Marvin Brauweiller will also add experience and quality, something that will be vital to a young squad.

Ibrahim Mohamed has returned to the Warriors. Picture: Mark Wilson

Following a successful stint with North’s near neighbours Geelong SC in NPL3 last year, Brauweiller has made the short crossover to Elcho Park, along with dazzling Lions’ midfielder Ibrahim Mohamed.

Aden Gardner comes to North following an injury ravaged 2022 season at Hume City and early indications are that he will be a classy acquisition to the Warriors’ engine room.

“Unfortunately, we had to part ways with John Pykett,” said Begg, revealing the popular Englishman had moved to local State 1 outfit, Corio SC.

“We also only recently loaned out Jamie Noggler to Corio for a minimum of half a season. He’s had a horrid time with injury over the last two years, and has struggled to get any consistent training or games under his belt.”

EXPECTATIONS FOR SEASON 2023

“I’m sure everyone will say the same thing, ‘You just need to stay in the League’. To me that’s a given,” Begg said.

“However, 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.

“We understand that the difference in budgets (with Melbourne clubs) are quite significant, and that some teams are NPL heavyweights. But, we will take each game on its merit and we will see how we end up,” promised Begg.

ADDY SAYS:

DESPITE taking out last weekend’s Geelong Community Cup, 2023 is going to be a tough year for the Warriors. The return of prodigal son Nikola Jurkovic to strengthen the Warriors’ defence could be the key to survival, while up the other end of the field an injury free year for Jurkovic’s baby brother Luka could also prove instrumental. Avoiding the drop in their first year back would be a major success.

Predicted finish: 12th (out of 14 teams)