With the State League Two season just days away, we've teamed up with our friends at Metro Homes SA to preview the season ahead.
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 Omonia Cobras
With Weigall Oval currently undergoing redevelopment, Cobras will play out of Jack Smith Park for the upcoming season.
After a 6th place finish in 2019, John Falidis’ side will have their eyes set on moving up the table, recruiting heavily to boost their chances of promotion. Last year’s State League 2 Player of the Year Mateusz Marczuk and Dylan Pickert join from Northern Demons while Anthony Francesca has made the move from Modbury Jets, amongst several other signings.
Captain Andrew Orphanou will be the key to his side’s success though, taking home the club’s Best & Fairest and Golden Boot in 2019.
Key Player: Andrew Orphanou
Squad: Callum Piantadosi (GK), Alex Komljenovic (RGK), Jamie Papadopoulos (RGK), George Hristakopoulos, Daniel Scorsonelli, Andrew Tamburrino, Nicholas Visvardis, Dion Gazettas, Andrew Orphanou, Michael Mangafakis, Jonni Corbo, Steven Savino, Michael Orphanou, Mateusz Marczuk, A Francesca, Andrew McMillan, Dylan Pickert, Giovanni Papandrea, Angelo Salomone
Ins: M.Marczuk (Northern Demons), A.Francesca (Modbury Jets), A.McMillan (Northern Demons), D.Pickert (Northern Demons), J.Papandrea (Western Strikers), A.Komjlenovic (Adelaide Olympic), A.Salomone (UniSA).
Outs: A.Tsavalas (Adelaide Blue Eagles), A.Harpas (Adelaide Blue Eagles), D.Lambrinos (Adelaide Blue Eagles), K.Phillipou (Cobras Amateurs), K.Partou (N/A), P.Alexandropoulos (retired), C.Verbi (retired)
Adelaide University
Raf Frasina takes the reigns for a second consecutive year at Adelaide University and will be well supported by incoming assistant coach/player Matthew Gaston.
After a 9th place finish in 2019, Frasina will be hungry for finals football and has brought in some experience to help the cause. Gaston and Adrian Macolino join from Sturt Lions, while Marco Balsamo has signed from Northern Demons.
Club captain Marcus Francesca claimed both golden boot and best and fairest honours in 2019 and will be key if his side is to climb into the top 6 this year.
Key Player: Marcus Francesca
Squad: Fabio Migliaccio (GK), Ben Karpoleh (GK), Illario Spano, Alessio Frisina, Marcus Francesca (C), Dominic Matricciani, Zak Tallura, Matthew Gaston, Joshua Roberts, Daichi Asanuma (VC), Adrian Macolino, Dermott Harrington, Ricky Francesca, Marco Balsamo, Yusuf Ahmed. Robert Grasso, Austin Galli, Brad MacGowan
Ins: Dominic Matricciani (Adelaide City), Marco Balsamo (Northern Demons), Yusuf Ahmed (Adelaide Comets), Matthew Gaston, Adrian Macolino, Dermott Harrington, Brad MacGowan (Sturt Lions), Ricky Francesca (Campbelltown), Fabio Migliaccio (Adelaide Cobras), Ben Karpoleh (Unattached).
Outs: Dylan Rolston-Howard (Northern Demons), Jordan Fighera (Pirates)
Cove FC
Steve Noon’s Cove FC will be gunning for the campaign to start after they missed out on playoffs by just two points.
The Cove thankfully held on to their leading goal scorer over the summer, with Oscar Tobin committing for another year. However, they were dealt a blow when star man and best and fairest winner Stephen Hall departed the club for Seaford Rangers.
Cove welcome Gawler Eagles at home for a tasty round one encounter on Saturday afternoon.
Key Player: Oscar Tobin
Squad: Alistair Whiteford (GK), Ben McLoughlin (C ), John Baines, Thomas Prosser, Terry Blyth, Jayden Cremasco, Craig Atkinson, Jacob Moon, Nicholas Rhodes, Nicholas Sutherland, Oscar Tobin, Joshua De Souza, Alex Church, Sam Thomas, Ned Spiniello, Mitchall Sumnall, Joe Jones – Moody, Sam Clarke, Nicola Pulerà.
Eastern United
TBC
Gawler Eagles
After narrowly missing out on promotion last year, Mike Cawood’s side will look to reload and go one step further in 2020.
Club captain Iradi Baragomwa bagged an impressive 20 goals for his side last season, finishing runner up in the chase for State League 2 Golden Boot. Baragomwa will lead his side again this year and will rely on the support of 2019 Best & Fairest winner Thomas Gooding, following the departure of experienced duo Brad Docherty and Robert McMillan.
Key Player: Iradi Baragomwa
Squad: Ibrahim Bigirimana, Benny Kovadio, Mitch Cook, John Obrien, James Banner, Zac Vannucci, Anthony Gbojueh, Aaron Taye, Iradi Baragomwa, Phiilip Cawood, Thomas Gooding, Musa Fofana, Freeman Johnson, Christian Taylor, Jaylose Nzambimana.
Ins: Ibrahim Bigirimana (Brimbank Stallions Melbourne), Benny Kovadio (Adelaide City), Mitch Cook (Brisbane Strikers), John Obrien (Gold Coast), James Banner (Para Hills), Zac Vannucci (Adelaide Blue Eagles, Anthony Gbojueh (Ghan Kilburn SC), Aaron Tate (Unknown)
Outs: Bradley Docherty Thierry Hatungimana (Transfer to Eastern Utd), Marco Krantis (Transfer to Adelaide Victory), Bosco Uwezo (Transfer to Eastern Utd), Pierre Ndayirata (Transfer to Eastern Utd), Robert McMillan (Retired), Nikolas Bajkusev (Salisbury Inter)
Modbury Vista
It has been a busy off-season at Modbury Vista, with a plethora of experienced players arriving to play on the recently installed artificial pitch at Richardson Reserve.
Amongst the inclusions, Matt Marchioro and Todd Leahy arrive from NPL side Para Hills Knights, while proven goalscorer at both State League and SAASL Sunday Premier Division level Rob Macdonald, will add some firepower in the forward half of the pitch.
Senior Coach Ryan Mogg laid the foundations for Modbury’s progress up the ladder in 2019 and will be hopeful an injection of experience will be the catalyst toward State League 1 football.
Key Player: Todd Leahy.
Squad: 1 Jimmy Clarke, 2 Steven Butler, 3 Liam Edwards, 4 Robert Macdonald, 5 Matthew Marchioro, 6 Shaun Ward, 7 Todd Leahy, 8 Marcus Marchioro, 9 Joshua Kaye, 10 Connor McLaughlin, 11 Andrew McConnell, 12 Rocco Carzo, 13 Lucas Skirving, 14 Ben Willians-Price, 15 James Anfiteatro, 16 Gianni Zollo, 17 Robbie Wilson, 18 Declan Williams, 19 Michael Constantini, 20 Blake Langridge, 21 Joe Crook, 22 Jacob Powell, 23 Jayden Kirk, 24 Cory Riccio, 25 Fraser Blackmore
Ins: Lucas Skirving (Para Hills Knights), Matt Marchioro (Para Hills Knights), Todd Leahy (Para Hills Knights), Declan Williams (Raiders), Marcus Marchioro (Salisbury United), Robbie Wilson (Sturt Lions), Cory Riccio (Sturt Lions), Ben Williams-Price (UniSA), Rob Macdonald (Brahma Lodge), Liam Edwards (Elizabeth Downs), Connor McLaughlin (Tea Tree Gully), Andrew McConnell (Salisbury Inter), Steven Butler, Michael Constantini
Outs: Nick Rotolo (Eastern United), Jack Ward (Eastern United), Luke Miller (Eastern United), Brett Selga (retired), Joel Gray (unknown)
Mount Barker United
Still in their infancy as a club, Mount Barker United will be hoping 2020 is the year to make their way up the State League 2 ladder. The club has laid the foundations for progression and is hopeful their young playing group can begin to convert their improved performances into wins.
Key Player: Kaylem Short
Squad: Kaylem Short, James Siebert, Hugh Hopton, Michael McGrath, Christian Burden, Owen Davies, Hayden Vanderwolf, Sam Coldwell, Jake Cram, Cory Gatenby, David Pienaar, Ted Leah, Jonathon Costin, Will Maddox, Noah Beddow.
Ins: Jake Cram, Ted Leah (England)
Outs: Jake Chesini, Finley Walsh
Noarlunga United
After proving themselves to be a contender for promotion to the NPL back in 2018, finishing 3rd on the ladder behind Adelaide Blue Eagles and Raiders, Noarlunga found themselves unable to match the heights of the previous season in 2019, relegated to State League 2 after securing just three wins for the season.
2020 presents an opportunity to reset in the State’s third-tier competition under senior coach Colin Bolto. Player movement has been limited for Noarlunga to date, Daniel Lobasso joins from Northern Demons while Jared Daly departs for neighbours South Adelaide.
Key Player: Matthew Muscroft
Squad: ADDISON RODGERS, BRAD ROPER, KIEREN BLACKET, DANIEL LOBASSO, KURTIS ROWE, SAM BUSBRIDGE, MATTHEW MUSCROFT, MATT EDMONDS, BRODIE KITCHIN, CLAYTON BRADLEY, TYSON CONDON, SAM ZINNOEGGER, BROCK COUCHMAN, BEN EBERT, BRETT CONDON, LEWIS MAY, NOAH HOCKING, NICK LARSSON, JACQUES VAN DEN BERG, BILLY ALLSOP, CONNOR SMITH, JASPER HURRELL
Ins: Daniel LoBasso (Northern Demons), Kurtis Rowe (DNP 2019), Sam Zinnoegger (Amateurs)
Outs: Jared Daly (Panthers)
Northern Demons
Joel Porter’s side faces a tough assignment to match their 5th place finish in 2019, following the departure of a number of key players.
Most notably, last year’s State League 2 Player of the Year Mateusz Marczuk and Best and Fairest winner Dylan Pickert have vacated to join Cobras.
Despite the changes in personnel, Porter stated he’s “looking forward to another season with some quality signings and exciting juniors coming through!”.
Key Player: Daniel Cox
Squad: Daniel Cox, Daniel Degiglio, Chris Annese, Lane Pennington, Jaikob Mathews, Matt Sully, Divan Verdoorn, Diego Garcia, Joaquin Torres, Peter Capurso, Jimmy Okello, Jacob Sakoulidis, Joel Porter, Ben Sciancalepore, James Pisani, Joe Turci.
Ins: Lane Pennington – (Cove FC). Diego Garcia (Vipers FC), Joaquin Torres (Vipers FC), Matt Sully (Sturt Lions)
Outs: Mateusz Marczuk (Cobras), Dylan Pickert (Cobras), Deale Chamberlain (White City), Marco Balsamo (Adelaide Uni),
Daniel Lobasso (Noarlunga United), Mitchell Johnston, Jack Scoot (Savoy Amateurs), Andrew McMillan (Cobras), Damian Introna, Darryl Avery (Retired), Jake Noble.
Pontian Eagles
Pontian Eagles join the State League 2 Competition from the South Australian Amateur Soccer League (SAASL) ranks, replacing the outgoing UniSA.
Since moving to their Paralowie headquarters back in 2013, the club has been implementing the fundamentals for a move into State League Football. Club President Terry Kalaitsidis has publicly stated the club is ambitious and will not be looking to tread water in their inaugural season.
Key Player: J. Mavromatis
Squad: D Apoefis (gk), A. Tsakaridis, T. Stoneham, J. Kalaitsidis, B. Singlewood, S. Hatzigeorgiou, L. Gialamas, J. Mavromatis, J. Mead, R. Sakiri, H. Huzivyiza, G. Gutierrez, B. Heletta, C. Tsakaridis, P. Bouzalis.
Ins: J. Mavromatis, J. Mead, T. Stoneham, B. Singlewood, P. Bouzalis.
Outs: J. Negrean, J.P. Romeo, W. Fitridge, S. Wusko, M. Drogumuller, T. Edwards, A. Cosmidis.
Port Adelaide Pirates
Pirates will be hoping to build on the success of the 2019 season, where they narrowly missed out on a top-two finish and were eliminated in the first week of the State League 2 Finals Series via the lottery of penalties.
Favourite son James Skeffington returns to the Port after a four-year period at successful NPL outfit Croydon Kings, where he’s set to captain the side. Additional signings include Jordan Fighera (Adelaide Uni) and Luke Smith (Adelaide Hills).
Following the move to Taparoo Reserve last year, Pirates have been reinvigorated off the field, implementing structures and development programs that helped the club to claim the inaugural Bendigo Bank Community Club of the Year Award.
Coach Derek Hall will be hoping a combination of on-field quality and off-field stability can pave the way for progression back to the heights of NPL Football, something Pirates haven’t tasted since 2015.
Key Players: James Skeffington
Squad: 2 Evan Ramos, 3 Jordan Fighera, 4 Luke Smith, 5 James Skeffington, 6 Mitch Anderson, 7 James Coley, 9 Angelo Mehic, 10 Medinho Sesay, 11 Liam Mullen, 12 Scott Parr, 13 Daniel Pearce, 14 Jayden Monteleone, 15 Mitch Christie, 16 Cody Watson, 17 Eghosa Uwumarogie, 18 Scott Unglaube, 22 Reed Kaluza, 23 Stefan Koulocheris, 33 Alex Tate
Ins: James Skeffington (Croydon), Luke Smith (Adelaide Hills), Jordan Fighera (Adelaide Uni), Scott Parr (Adelaide Uni), Alex Tate (Seaford), Scott Unglaube (Retirement), Anthony Scriva (Western Strikers), Stefan Koulocheris (Amateurs), Liam Mullen (Birkalla)
Eghosa Uwumarogie
Outs: Nick Mavromatis (Seaford), James Wilson (Para Hills), Giuseppe Pacillo (Fulham United), Nick Kznaric (Western Strikers), Ahmed Yakoub (Eastern United)
Salisbury United
Salisbury United find themselves relegated to the State League 2 competition for 2020, after one of their more disappointing seasons in recent years.
Senior Coach Mark Ellul will be tasked with restoring confidence in his playing group, after they failed to secure a victory in last year’s campaign.
Ellul welcomes SAASL Division 1 experienced players James Greaves and Nathan Petit (Elizabeth Vale) and Masoud Teymouri (Ghan United), as well as Chris Fleming (WT Birkalla).
Meanwhile, last year’s Best and Fairest Marcus Machioro has departed for Modbury Vista.
Key Player: Alban Martini
Squad: Josh Forshaw (GK) Scott Bice, Brodie Trevaskis, Henry Hodgson, Nicholas Iannella, Alban Martini, James Greaves, Johnny Klappers, Masoud Teymouri, Chris Fleming, Paul Owaci, Nathan Pettit, Tommy Hams, Matthew Taylor, Andre Lewinski, Ben Foat, Jack Burns.
Ins: James Greaves (Elizabeth Vale) Nathan Pettit (Elizabeth Vale) Chris Fleming (WT Birkalla) Masoud Teymouri (Ghan Utd), Andre Lewinski (UniSA)
Outs: Michael Marchioro, Marcus Marchioro, Matthew Stronskyj, Ben Dalwood