The Men's NPLSA 2020 season is finally upon us. There has been plenty of movement over the season's break, with players and coaches jumping on the transfer carousel. We've teamed up with Metro Homes SA to analyse each NPLSA team and see what shape they are in ahead of a mouthwatering campaign.
The information in this document has been provided to Football SA by clubs. While we endeavour to be as accurate as possible, changes in squads may have taken place between the time of submission and production of this document.
Adelaide Blue Eagles
Facing relegation for the first time in three decades back in 2017, a promising 2018 State League 1 campaign saw Adelaide Blue Eagles return to the top flight of local football with a newfound confidence in 2019.
After a barnstorming start to the season, which included a victory over reigning champions Campbelltown City in Round 1, Vojo Gluscevic’s side ended the year in a more than respectable 5th place on the table.
Season 2020 presents a new challenge, however, made even tougher by the departure of leading goal scorer Emanuelle Testardi (Italy), as well as Daniel Cockerline (England) and Ivan D’Adamo (Victoria).
It’s not all one-way traffic for the Marden based side though. Yohei Matsumoto (Campbelltown City) and fellow Japanese play-maker Hirofumi Kochi (Para Hills Knights) add some creative spark to Blue Eagles’ ranks.
Matsumoto will face off against his old side in the Round 1 season opener tonight, kick-off 7.30m at Steve Woodcock Sports Centre.
Key Player: Yohei Matsumoto
Squads: Cristian Aloisi, Christopher Annicchiarico, Dante Cacciavilani, Damien Crettenden, Christian D’Angelo, Raffaele De Lucia, Paul Espina, Alusine Fofanah, Stefan Gluscevic, Richard Goss, Shekubah HuttonAddy, Hirofumi Kochi, Alemayo Kebede, Evan Kounavelis, Daniel Loh, Yohei Matsumoto, Nick Menechella, Brylon Nthoane, Tatenda Nyaruwe, Paul Reilly, Christian Sotira, Harrison Taylor.
Ins: Christian Aloisi – Adelaide United NPL, Dante Cacciavillani – Union San Giorgio Sedico, Paul Espina – Adelaide Olympic, Hirofumi Kochi – Para Hills Knights, Yohei Matsumoto – Campbelltown City, Nick Menechella – MetroStars, Paul Reilly – Para Hills Knights, Christian Sotira – Adelaide City
Outs: Adrian Barone – TBA, Lucas Candeloro – TBA, Daniel Cockerline – England, Hamish McCabe – Campbelltown City, Liam McCabe – Campbelltown City, Antoni Panagoulias – TBA, Emmanuele Testardi – Italy, Zac Vannuci – TBA, Ivan D’Adamo – Victoria.
Adelaide City FC
After a challenging first year in charge at Adelaide City, Michael Matricciani will have his eyes set on a return to the finals in 2020.
City welcomes the experienced and versatile Perry Mitris (West Adelaide), Anthony Ture (Campbelltown City) and 2019 Golden Boot Runner-up Terrence Carter (Raiders) for the new campaign.
Carter will have his work cut out for him, tasked with replacing one of the best strikers the NPLSA has seen over the past 5 seasons, in that of multiple Golden Boot winner Anthony Costa (Marconi).
Brother Joe Costa also departs Oakden (Raiders), as does last year’s Best & Fairest Tom Maricic (Thailand) and young gun Massimo Falco (Adelaide United).
Key Player: Terrence Carter
Squads: Alex Woodlands, Jordan Maricic, Aladin Irabona, Anthony Ture, Perry Mitris, Terence Carter, Yanni Delengas, Jackson Stephens, Evan Kostopoulos, Zak Waters, Markus Orchard, Bradley Corbo, Adriano Pellegrino, Adam D’Agostino, Marcos Flores, Stefano Casalbore, James Boffa, Austin Ayoubi, Tom Love, Nicholas Bucco
Ins: Aladin Irabona (Adelaide United), Alex Woodlands (Adelaide Comets), Anthony Ture (Campbelltown City), Jordan Maricic (West Adelaide), Perry Mitris (West Adelaide), Terence Carter (Raiders)
Outs: Joseph Costa (Raiders), Anthony Costa (Marconi Stallions), Fabio Ferreira (Sydney Olympic), Joe Gauci (Melbourne City), Massimo Falco (Adelaide United), Tomas Maricic (Thailand)
Adelaide Comets
Barney Smith takes the reigns at Adelaide Comets for the 2020 season, making the switch from fellow NPL outfit Para Hills Knights over the summer.
Off the back of arguably their best season on record, Comets will be hoping they can go one step further this year, following a 3-0 thumping in the 2019 NPL Grand Final at the hands of back to back champions Campbelltown City.
With a squad that already runs deep, the inclusion of three exciting young talents in Manley Barnett (Central Coast Mariners), Ryan Yates (AUFC) and Ninko Beric (AUFC) may deliver Comets the additional class to finally end Campbelltown’s dominance.
Heading out the door after two seasons at Comets, Stefan Simic will link up with the newly-appointed coach and NSL legend Damian Mori at White City, along with other emerging talents Alex Woodlands (Adelaide City) and Stephan Travaglione (Raiders).
Key Player: Allan Welsh
Squads: 1 Julian Torresan, 31 Daniel Vaughan, 5 Adam Le Cornu, 4 Tom Dittmar, 12 Harry Keramidas, 13 Tom Cyganov, 3 Manley Barnett, 21 Rastjko Lujic, 23 Scott Nagel, 77 Chris Christofilos, 6 Jack Bladen, 11 Jayden LoBasso, 22 Allan Welsh, 8 Ryan Yates, 18 Phil Cash, 14 Nathan Andijanto, 9 Andreas Wiens, 10 Anthony Mavrolambados, 7 Tete Yengi, 17 Lansana Smith, 16 Ninko Beric.
Ins: Daniel Vaughan (Adelaide Olympic); Chris Christofilos (White City); Manley Barnett (Central Coast Mariners); Ninko Beric (Adelaide United); Ryan Yates (Adelaide United)
Outs: Alex Woodlands (Adelaide City); Stephan Travaglione (Para Hills Knights); Jon Aurtenetxe (Atletico Baleares) - Spain); Franz Pjetri (Raiders); Stefan Simic (White City)
Adelaide Olympic
Adelaide Olympic have a taste for silverware after claiming a maiden FFA Cup South Australia title, which saw them go on to represent the state on the domestic stage, in the national Round of 32.
Olympic have made a habit of recruiting international quality in recent seasons and they will be hoping their scouts are on point again, with the inclusion of Greek first division experienced Panagiotis Manidakis and Albanian midfielder Benkert Abdija.
Olympic farewell 2019 Sergio Melta Medal winner Ricardo DaSilva, who returns to West Adelaide, however, managed to retain the competition’s most prolific scorer from last season Christos Pounendis, who has also been named as captain for the upcoming campaign.
Key Player: Matt Halliday
Squads: 1 Nikolas Harpas (GK), 21 Luca Meggetto, 2 Jacob Butler-Bowdon, 3 Matthew Halliday, 24 Panagiotis Manidakis, 5 David Makridis, 6 Kristin Konstandopoulos, 7 Charlie Devereux, 8 Manny Katapodis, 9 Christos Pounendis, 10 Benkert Abdija, 11 Ioanni Simosis, 12 Alex Koutoulogenis, 13 Cliff Maina, 14 Fausto Erba, 15 Dimi Toumazos, 16 Nick Harpas, 17 Brayden Micallef, 18 Yianni Tsimopoulos, 19 Kimon Toumazos
Ins: Panagiotis Manidakis (Greece), Ioannis Simosis (Greece), Benkert Abdija (Italy), Kristin Konstandopoulos (Adelaide United), Luca Megetto (Metrostars), Charlie Devereux (Para Hills), Cliff Maina (), Brayden Micallef (South Adelaide), Nick Harpas (South Adelaide), Jason Kontstandopoulos (Adelaide United), Kimon Toumazos (Brisbane)
Outs: Ricardo Da Silva (West Adelaide), John Karatzas (Retired), Michael Alexandrou (Retired), Daniel Vaughan (Comets), Thomas Brown (Raiders), Andrea Dallera (Italy), Mamadi Kamara (Green Gully), Kristi Vangeli (FK Tirana, Albania), Paul Espina (Blue Eagles)
Adelaide United
Adelaide United have been a regular feature in the headlines recently following the emergence of several young talents on the national stage.
2020 presents another opportunity for South Australia’s brightest prospects to shine in the state’s top tier competition, with 8 regular starters from the 2019 campaign joining club ranks, while 10 players are elevated from the Football SA NTC program into the Young Reds’ squad.
Jackson Walls (Raiders) and Massimo Falco (Adelaide City) caught the eye of scouts through quality performances in last year’s NPL and will also join United’s youth setup.
Mohamed Toure is set to light up the NPL following his A-League debut last week, where he became the youngest player to score in A-League history, hitting the back of the net against Central Coast Mariners. Goalkeeper Ethan Cox is another one to keep an eye on as he continues to develop into a superb shot-stopper.
With an abundance of youthful energy and flair at his disposal, Paul Pezos will be aiming for nothing short of a top 6 finish.
Key Player: Lachlan Brook
Squads: 18 Lachlan Brook, 24 Pacifique Niyongabire, 29 Kusini Yengi, 33 Nunn Cooper, 34 Abetew Yared, 36 Noah Smith, 37 Jai King, 40 Dakota Ochsenham (GK), 41 Jackson Wells, 42 Taras Gomulka, 43 Daniel Bressan, 44 Alexander Popovic, 45 Michael Cittadini, 46 Binyam Kebede, 47 Adam Leombruno, 49 Mohamed Toure, 51 Panashe Madanha, 52 Massimo Falco, 53 Jaiden Diamantis, 54 Noah McNamara, 55 Keshav Shrestha, 56 Ethan Alagich, 57 Fergus Lynch, 58 Jonny Yull, 59 Luka Javanovic, 60 Cameron Cook (GK), 62 Jaxson Bullen, 63 Arbi Mollas, 70 Ethan Cox (GK).
Ins: Jackson Walls (Raiders), Massimo Falco (Adelaide City), Jaiden Diamantis (Campbelltown), Mohamed Toure, Arbi Mollas, Panashe Madanha, Noah McNamara, Keshav Shrestha, Ethan Alagich, Fergus Lynch, Jonny Yull, Luka Jovanovic, Ethan Cox (All NTC)
Outs: Cristan Aloisi, Ninko Beric, Jared Clark, Dom Costanzo, Aladin Irabona, Kristin Konstandopolous, Anthony Mavrolambados, Ryan Yates
Campbelltown City
Back to back champions Campbelltown City enter the new season without local football legend Joe Mullen at the helm for the first time in seven years. Mullen’s departure has been on the radar for a few years now and the Red Devils have expertly executed their succession plan, with the highly credentialled Phil Stubbins taking on the head coach role and retiring captain Iain Fyfe moving in as his assistant.
Boasting arguably the best NPL side in the country already, Stubbins hasn’t rested on his laurels, moving quickly to sign midfielder Joshua Barresi from across the border, joining from VPL side Bentleigh Greens.
Despite losing the electrifying Yohei Matsumoto (Blue Eagles), Anthony Ture (Adelaide City) and Jacob Williams (West Adelaide), this side boasts unbelievable depth and talent that could see them take out a third consecutive NPLSA championship. The challenge for Stubbins will be to keep the playing group fit and happy.
Key Player: Alex Mullen
Squads: 7 Joel Allwright, 16 Daniel Mullen, 10 Luigi DiTroia, 23 Jake Halliday, 20 Nick Harpas, 2 Shaun Harvey, 6 Dion Kirk, 14 Adam Piscioneri, 9 Marc Marino, 8 Alex Mullen, 12 Hamish McCabe, 17 Liam McCabe, 11 Joshua Barresi, 5 Matthew Mullen, 15 Anthony Piscioneri, 18 Christian Cardinale, 1 Jamie Signorello
Ins: Hamish McCabe (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Liam McCabe (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Joshua Barresi (Bentleigh Greens).
Outs: Ian Fyfe (retired) Yohei Matsumoto (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Anthony Ture (Adelaide City), Jacob Williams (West Adelaide), Brandon Centofanti (Modbury)
Croydon Kings
Originally tipped to be one of the relegation battlers, Croydon were the surprise packet of the competition last year, narrowly missing out on a finals berth in Angelo Costanzo’s first year as coach.
The Kings will play home matches on unfamiliar territory in 2020, occupying Jack Smith Park until completion of their new facility, after bidding farewell to Polonia Reserve to make way for the South Road upgrade.
2019 NPL Goalkeeper of the Year John Hall remains at the club. He along with last year’s Best & Fairest winner Pat Caraccia and captain Luke Klimek will be key pillars if Croydon are to rise into the top 6.
Costanzo brings in former South Adelaide Panthers captain Sam Carmichael who will add some on-field guidance, along with his son Dominic Costanzo and Jarred Clark, who both join from the Adelaide United youth team.
Croydon bid farewell to James Skeffington, who departs after a four-year stint at the club, as well as the experienced Alex Sunasky (retired).
Key Player: John Hall
Squads: 21 John Hall (GK), 2 John Panagaris, 4 Alex Sunasky, 5 Luke Klimek, 6 Domenic Costanzo, 7 Masahiro Haruoka, 8 Adam Martinello, 9 Nathan Munro, 10 Sam Carmichael, 11 Antoni Trimboli, 12 Chris Vivan, 13 Eric Scardingno, 14 Peter Mercurio, 15 Alex DeMasi, 18 Jarrod Brazzale, 20 Jarred Clark, 23 Patrick Caraccia, 1 Gianni Tramontin (RGK)
Ins: Sam Carmichael (South Adelaide), Jarred Clark (Adelaide United NPL), Domenic Costanzo (Adelaide United NPL).
Outs: James Skeffington (Port Adelaide)
Cumberland United
Cumberland United return to the topflight after a two-year absence, finishing 4th on the State League 1 table then going on to defeat premiers Modbury Jets in the grand final at Coopers Stadium back in September.
Neil Young has retained the vast majority of his squad for the upcoming season, with last year’s rising star Ethan Stevenson (Seaford), Shannon Day (White City) and Robbie Lippett (Eastern United) the most notable absentees.
Meanwhile, Matt Charalambous (MetroStars) and Declan Finney (White City) join the foxes, with survival the first item on the agenda but optimistic for higher achievements.
Key Player: Jace Cummins
Squads: Luke Schoen (1 Goal Kepper), Jack Schoen (2 Captain), Josh Harvey (3), Declan Gray (4), Chris Skull (6), Jace Cummins (7), Harry Thannhauser (8), Juan Pablo Gutierrez (9), Karl Phelps (10), Tom Briscoe (11), Carl Magnussen (12), Jordan Pegararo (14), Ryan Wood (15), Matthew Charalambous (16), Callum Elms (17), Antoni Panagoulisa (18), Joe Wright (23), Declan Finney, Charlie Yull (23 Reserve Goalkeeper)
Ins: Matthew Charalambous (MetroStars), Antoni Panagoulias (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Declan Finney (White City)
Outs: Shannon Day (South Adelaide), Ethan Stevenson (Seaford), Robbie Lippett
MetroStars
In their 25th anniversary year, Metro look set to be amongst the contenders again in 2020, welcoming NPL Team of the Year representative Kyle Crout (Para Hills Knights) and Joshua Mori (Raiders), to a side that already boasts talent all over the park.
Lachlan Barr departs the club for Victorian side Heidelberg United and 2017 Sergio Melta Medal winner Liam Wooding has called time on his career, who will both prove difficult to replace.
2019 Club Champion Fabian Barbiero and captain Michael D’Aloisio have committed to another season, as has leading goal scorer Christian Esposito.
Rob Saraceno will lead MetroStars for a fourth full season, after taking on the role halfway through Metro’s 2016 campaign. He will be assisted by former Socceroo Travis Dodd.
Key Player: Dylan Smith
Squads: 1 Isaac Carmody (GK), 3 Cohan Morris, 4 Justin Davis, 5 Tim Henderson, 7 Michael D’Aloisio, 8 Rocky Callisto, 9 Tom Strain, 10 Anthony Solagna, 11 Luis Benedetti, 12 Ben Head, 14 Dylan Smith, 16 Kyle Crout, 17 Matthew Dawber, 18 Fabian Barbiero, 19 Cooper O’Donnell, 20 Joshua Mori, 22 Hamish Gow, 23 Christian Esposito, 24 Nahuel Bonada, 25 Jackson O’Donnell (GK), 26 Stefan Cali
Ins: Joshua Mori (Raiders), Kyle Crout (Para Hills Knights)
Outs: Alexander Jakob (released), Matthew Charalambous (Cumberland United), Nicholas Menechella (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Lachlan Barr (Heidelberg United), Liam Wooding (retired)
Modbury Jets
Last year’s State League 1 Premiers Modbury Jets make a welcome return to the NPL this season after a five-year hiatus from the top flight of local football.
Last season’s State League 1 Coach of the Year and six-time golden boot winner in his own right Jason Trimboli, will continue his long tenure as senior coach at Modbury, with Carl Maynard serving as an assistant.
Trimboli’s side isn’t short of NPL experience and will have no fear of the challenge that awaits them. Captain Michael Doyle, Shaun McGreevy and Nathan Farrell were all part of Croydon’s 2017 championship-winning side, and they will be joined by another former teammate in Paul Radice (Adelaide City/Brahma Lodge).
Doni Pollock (South Adelaide) and Brandon Centofanti (Campbelltown) also come in for Jets, with only Mitch Coull (injury) and Anthony Francesca (Cobras) not forming part of the 2020 squad.
Key Player: Daniel Pritchard
Squads: Kieran Griffiths (1), Lachlan Wallace (2), Daniel Pritchard (3), Peter Terminello (4), Michael Doyle (5), Daniel Ditroia (6), Zac Gomez (7), Taylor Martyn (8), Jesse Francesca (9), Nathan Farrell (10), Brad Ballantine (11), Kur Kur (12), Doni Pollock (13), Brandon Centofanti (14), Tom Veart (15), Shaun McGreevy (16), Josh Farrell (17), Zac Miller (18), Paul Radice (19)
Ins: Brandon Centofanti (Campbelltown), Paul Radice (Brahma Lodge), Doni Pollock (South Adelaide)
Outs: Mitch Coull (injury), Anthony Francesca (club transfer)
Para Hills Knights
Incoming coach Theo Tsoiunis has been forced to get active in the transfer market over the summer, with the departure of a number of key personnel at The Paddocks.
Peter Eleftherakis (West Adelaide), Matthew Marchioro (Modbury Vista), Michael Ndjekompte (unknown), Todd Leahy (Modbury Vista), Mohammed Sumaoro (Raiders), Hirofumi Kochi (Blue Eagles), Charlie Devereux (Olympic) and Tyler Bailey (unknown) were all regular starters who have moved on for the Knights.
Tsounis has moved swiftly to replace the multitude of outgoing talent, highlighted by signing 22-year old former Dutch youth international striker Cali Daniel (NEC Nijmegen). Amongst other signings, striker Samed Altundag (Sturt Lions) adds some firepower, while Stephan Travaglione (Comets) will reunite with his mentor from the first half of last season.
Promising youngster Isaac Mullen will be a vital cog in the Knights wheel, as well as last year’s import Thilo Wilke.
Key Player: Isaac Mullen
Squad: Jasper Kelly (GK), Kieran McNally, Tyson Herraman, Samed Altundag, Lucas Colalancia, Alex Cosmidis, Pierce Stephens, James Wilson, Brima Kamara, Jordan Findlay, (GK), Cody Morrison, Isaac Mullen, Logan McFall, Cali Daniel, Thilo Wilke, Andrew Butler, Stephan Travaglione, Darsem Shaksi, Luka Chikwuba, Mohammed Donzo, Victor Anyimba, Pietro Piantedosi, Andrew Maio
Ins: Jasper Kelly (GK), Samed Altundag, Alex Cosmidis, James Wilson, Brima Kamara, Cody Morrison, Cali Daniel, Stephan Travaglione, Luka Chikwuba, Mohammed Donzo, Victor Anyimba, Andrew Maio.
Outs: Tim Ramsey (Retired), Elliot Sims, Peter Eleftherakis, Matthew Marchioro, Michael Ndjekompte, Ozan Cakar, Todd Leahy, Mohamed Sumaoro, Kyle Crout, Charlie Devereux, Hirofumi Kochi, Tyler Bailey.
Raiders
2019 was the first year back in the NPL for Raiders, following their relegation to the state’s second division back in 2016. For most clubs, survival is the number one priority when making the jump up a division, but Raiders churned out an impressive third-place finish before bundling out in week 1 of the finals.
Nik Kuzman’s side will enter the season without last year’s leading goal scorer at his disposal, Terence Carter (17 goals) departing for Adelaide City, along with a swag of outs including Aaron Acton (Eastern United), Jackson Walls (AUFC) and Yasmin Sudic (West Adelaide).
On the way in for the Gepps Cross based club, German midfielder Daniel Kornagel and Welsh attacker Alun Webb will try their luck in the NPL, along with Mohammed Sumaoro (Para Hills Knights), Thomas Brown (Olympic) and Joe Costa (Adelaide City).
Key Player: Nick Munro
Squad: 1 Vasilios Tryfopoulos, 2 Jaxson Bullen, 3 Mark Ulaj, 4 Paul Blefari, 5 Adam Van Dommele, 6 Franz Pjetri, 7 Jimmy Odenwalder, 8 Rocco Visconte, 9 Hamish Anderson, 11 David Carosi, 13 Nicholas Munro, 14 Oliver Zafiridis, 15 Noah Holmes, 16 Stephan Travaglione, 17 Thomas Brown, 18 Joe Costa, 21 Jake Monaco, 23 Stavros Bakopanos, 45 Patrick Paul, 99 Emmanuel Okello Philip
Ins: Alun Webb (Chattanooga FC), Daniel Kornagel (Hünfelde SV), Ibrahim Soumah (Kelmscott Roos), Mohammed Sumaoro (Para Hills), Thomas Brown (Adelaide Olympic), Nicolas Basile (Yaraville Glory).
Outs: Aaron Acton (Eastern United), Ambesager Yosief (West Adelaide), Jackson Walls (Adelaide United), Jaxson Bullen (Adelaide United), Joshua Mori (MetroStars), Michael Acton (Playford), Scott Tunbridge (Retired), Terrance Carter (Galaxy FC), Yasmin Sudic (West Adelaide)