Season 2022 is here, commencing this Friday night with champions Adelaide City hosting Campbelltown City at Adelaide City Park for a 7:30pm start.
We’ve taken a look at each club’s status ahead of the new campaign.
Here we go!
*Please note, information in this article is referred to the 2022 Football SA Media Guide, which is sourced from information sent directly from clubs.
Adelaide City
Last season: 2nd (League Finish) | RAA NPLSA 2021 Champions
Coach: Paul Pezos
Captain: Matthew Halliday
With Paul Pezos hired in 2021, his rebuild of the fallen giants was a massive success, as his squad ended Adelaide City’s long wait for an RAA NPL Championship as they beat Adelaide Comets in the 2021 Grand Final in a breathtaking penalty shootout. Their Grand Final win capped off an impressive season which saw Adelaide City dominate their competition during the regular season. However, in 2022, City will aim for revenge after their regular season ended in heartbreak as a 1-1 draw with Croydon FC and a last minute Adelaide Comets goal on the final day, meant Comets stole the league premiership out of their hands.
City wasted no time searching for players to improve their squad, signing the likes of Dakota Ochsenham, Vianne Kurikwimana, Juan Gutierrez and Matthew Dawber. After losing Championship winning goalkeeper Alex Woodlands to rivals Campbelltown, City found the perfect replacement in former Adelaide United Youth keeper Ochsenham. With the additional loss of Team of the Year striker Asad Kasumovic to Adelaide United, Kurikwimana arrives as Pezos’s goalscoring replacement, after a season which saw him score 3 goals in 11 appearances for Adelaide Croatia Raiders.
The late signing of Argentinean defender Gutierrez from Cumberland United, will provide much needed depth and experience to their defensive line as the club looks to spend time without star centre back Lachlan Barr, who signed a short-term contract with Adelaide United. Gutierrez will assist City Captain and Team of the Year defender Matt Halliday in defence. Adelaide City have also secured the signing of Matthew Dawber from MetroStars who makes a return to the RAA NPL after an unfortunate run of injuries. A fully fit Dawber will be a dangerous addition for City in 2022.
After maintaining the core of their title winning squad, City will look to improve on what was a successful 2021 season as Pezos’s men aim to make the Football South Australia competition their own. After missing out on the league premiership and Federation Cup, City are hungry to make this a treble winning season.
Squad: ALADIN IRABONA, ZAKARIAH WATERS, BRADLEY CORBO, NICHOLAS BUCCO, MATTHEW HALLIDAY, JOSEPH COSTA, CHARLIE DEVEREUX, THOMAS BROWN, KUR KUR, CRISTIAN ALOISI, JAI KING-BYRNE, LUKA CHIKWUBA, DAKOTA OCHSENHAM, JUAN GUTIERREZ, MATTHEW DAWBER, MOHAMMAD MEKAWIR, VIANNE KURIKWIMANA
Adelaide Comets
Last season: RAA NPLSA 2021 League Premiers
Coach: Barney Smith
Captain: Allan Welsh
It was another impressive season for Adelaide Comets who were consistent as the entertainers in the division. Securing the premiership for a second consecutive season, Comets ended the season unbeaten in seven, topped off with a memorable final day 92nd minute winner from Nathan Andijanto to steal the Premiership from an Adelaide City side that looked uncatchable at one point. Adelaide Comets made their third consecutive appearance in the RAA NPLSA Grand Final, only to stumble at the final hurdle once again in a defeat to Adelaide City.
Allan Welsh was the centre point of the Adelaide Comets squad for another season, as the three-time Sergio Melta Medal winner contributed 9 goals in 19 games earning him a spot in the 2021 Team of the Year. Teammates Jayden LoBasso and Adam Le Cornu polled high in the 2021 Sergio Melta Medal votes, while Le Cornu earned a spot in the Team of the Year.
One major loss to Comets squad ahead of the 2022 season is young attacker Ninko Beric who moved back to former club FK Beograd. However, Comets have swapped youth for experience with the signing of former player Thomas Briscoe from Cumberland United as he makes his first return since 2018. During Briscoe’s time at Cumberland, the attacker looked lethal assisting his club to promotion into the RAA National Premier League SA, while contributing 35 goals in 55 games. 2021 saw Briscoe finish as equal runner-up in the Golden Boot race, scoring 12 goals. Joining Briscoe this season is former Foxtel National Youth League Player of the Year Dylan Smith from MetroStars, who will add flair and experience to his new side. Augustus Williams also joins the club after an impressive season with Port Adelaide, where he guided the team to promotion to State League One.
After the heartbreak of the previous three seasons, the drought of a championship must be constantly on the mind of the players and supporters of Adelaide Comets. Barney Smith will aim to take his side that extra step in 2022 as they look to have another shot at Football South Australia’s biggest men’s prize.
Squad: Thomas Briscoe, Allan Welsh, Dylan Smith, Augustus Williams, Adam Le Cornu, Julian Torresan, Scott Nagel, Jaiden Diamantis, Daniel Vaughan, Nathan Andijanto, Anthony Mavrolambados, Ryan Yates, Jayden LoBasso, Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, Stelios Zacharakis, Thomas Giannakopoulos, Lachlan Stead
Adelaide Olympic
Last season: 7th
Coach: Yianni Stamatelopoulos
Captain: TBC
Olympic got their 2021 season off to a very poor start winning only two of their first ten games, before gradually improving their form to climb the ladder. Despite this, Olympic stayed in contention for a place in the finals, however ultimately missed out by three points, ending the season with eleven draws and only six wins. Olympic were an exciting property towards the latter of the 2021 season as star players Fausto Erba, Lewis Moss and the explosive young brother duo in Kristin and Jason Konstandopoulos continued to impress. The club’s success came in the FFA Cup South Australian Qualifiers as they won the Cup Final against Adelaide City in an entertaining 2-1 win, booking their place in the FFA Cup.
Fausto Erba continued his impressive goal scoring record, ending the season as the equal runner-up for the 2021 golden boot scoring 12 goals in 18 games. Kristin Konstandopoulos was a major standout in the RAA NPLSA as he continued to impress, earning himself a spot in the 2021 Team of the Year, while brother Jason finished high in the 2021 Sergio Melta Medal tally, proving why the Konstandopoulos brothers perhaps are the hottest properties in South Australian football right now.
Olympic will enter the 2022 RAA NPLSA season with a similar squad to the previous, as they hope their team chemistry will result in a top six finish this season. They have, however, signed forward Dylan D'Agostino from Magpie Crusaders United in NPL Queensland, who joins after a season where he scored 2 goals in 18 appearances. The club has also signed former Joey’s fullback Adam Leombruno after his successful stint with Adelaide United Youth, who has proven his ability to play at a top level at such a young age during his time at United.
After retaining the core of their squad, Olympic will look to prove they’re worth as a top side in the competition. Coach Yianni Stamatelopoulos will hope that his squad can better their six wins in 2021 and look to make a return to the final’s series.
Squad: Christos Pounendis, Panagiotis Manidakis, Paul Wilson, Tito Bontor, Clifford Maina, George Katsigiannis, Lewis Moss, Kristin Konstandopoulos, Fausto Erba, Benkert Abdija, Ioannis Simosis, Dylan D'Agostino, Joshua Kavenagh, Michael Cittadini, Jason Konstandopoulos, Damian Ljujic, Rastko Ljujic, Jack Chivers, Ross Harkotsikas, Jacob Jones, Adam Leombruno
Adelaide United FC
Last season: 9th
Coach: Airton Andrioli
Captain: TBC
The young reds got their 2021 season off to a flying start before beginning to falter and gradually drop down the league table. Despite this, Airton Andrioli’s side continued to look dangerous showing their untapped potential.
To start the season, Adelaide United FC were able to record four big wins in six games over the likes of Campbelltown City, Adelaide City, Sturt Lions and Adelaide Blue Eagles. This form didn’t last long as their next win came in round eleven in a memorable match at the newly developed Summit Sport and Recreation Park in Mount Barker. United’s end to the 2021 season is one to forget as the team recorded one win in their last ten matches, surviving the drop by only three points.
United showed glimpses of performing at a top level last season as star players Jonny Yull and leading goal scorer Binyam Kebede demonstrated why they are two of South Australia’s brightest young talents. 2021 was a major challenge for the Young Reds as they looked to match the experienced players in the topflight of South Australian football. The departure of Kebede is a major blow for the squad heading into the new season, however Andrioli will continue to look at developing new stars as he’s done so frequently in the past. One major signing for the young reds is Jok Akuien who arrives from a championship winning season with Adelaide City where he proved to be one of the brightest fullbacks in the division.
With players such as Jonny Yull, Ethan Alagich, Alexander Popovic, Ethan Cox, Steven Hall and Nestory Irankunda all gaining experience with the Adelaide United A-League side, the upcoming season is looking bright for Adelaide United FC. With the likelihood of first team players Yaya Dukuly, Bernardo and former Adelaide City forward Asad Kasumovic playing with the squad for the 2022 RAA NPLSA season, Andrioli seems to have a strong team to push for a place in the top six.
Squad: Ethan Alagich, Jok Akuien, Mohamed Bility, Giuseppe Bovalina, Calum Campbell, Josh Cavallo, Harry Crawford, Ethan Cox, Louis D'Arrigo, Yaya Dukuly, Joe Gauci, Stevn Hall, Nestory Irankunda, Luka Jovanovic, Asad Kasumovic, Panagiotis Kikianis, Henry Lynch, Terence (Fergus) Lynch, Panashe Madanha, Vongai Maidza, Patrick McGregor, Jean Paul Mbembe, Noah McNamara, Arbi Mollas, Bernardo Oliveira, Bailey O'Neil, Sotiris Phillis, Alexandar Popovic, Jake Porter, Nicholas Samaras, Nicholas Stefanidakis, Fabian Talladira, Mohamed Toure, Musa Toure, Kane Vidmar, Kusini Yengi, Jonny Yull
Campbelltown City
Last season: 3rd
Coach: Michael Matricciani
Captain: Shaun Harvey
Although achieving their lowest points tally since 2017, Campbelltown City showed their class under coach Ian Fyfe, as he led his team to an impressive third place finish, bowing out in the first round of the final’s series.
Depth looked as major issue for Campbelltown in season 2021, as the club loss multiple star players that off-season. However, now former coach Fyfe eyed young talent to fill the void as he promoted and produced many young players including the likes of Nicholas Francese who played a vital role in many performances last season.
Under Fyfe, Campbelltown continued to look dangerous as star player Marc Marino demonstrated his undeniable qualities in front of goals. Marino ended the 2021 season winning the league golden boot, due to his best goalscoring season with 13 goals in 20 appearances. This earned the talented striker a place in the seasons Team of the Year, while teammates Jake Halliday and Alex Mullen also earnt spots within Team of the Year. Alex Mullen was unfortunate not to be named the 2021 Sergio Melta Medal winner, missing out by just 1 point to Hamish McCabe.
With former championship winning striker Michael Matricciani replacing Fyfe, Campbelltown have been busy improving their squad for the upcoming season. A major signing sees Josh Barresi return to the Newton based club after a short spell with South Melbourne. Barresi’s last stint with Campbelltown, saw him contribute 6 goals in 22 league appearances, while critically providing the first goal in their 2020 Grand Final. Campbelltown have also reunited with former fan favourite Yohei Matsumoto, who left the club for Adelaide Blue Eagles in 2020.
Despite Campbelltown’s respectful defensive record in 2021, Matricciani aimed to make additional reinforcements in the backline with the signing of former Adelaide City goalkeeper Alex Woodlands, while James Boffa joins fresh off a Championship winning season at Adelaide City. Talented central defender Jordan Marisic returns to the club as he reunites with his former boss after spending time at Hume City in the National Premier League Victoria.
With their squad remaining largely intact, the introduction of a new coach and the return of former players, there’s no reason why Campbelltown City can’t return to their former glory in 2022. Campbelltown will once again be favourites to challenge for the Championship.
Squad: Luigi Ditroia, Jake Halliday, Adam Piscioneri, Marc Marino, Alexander Mullen, Shaun Harvey, Daniel Mullen, Joel Allwright, Adam D'Agostino, Julian Ionni, Nicholas Francese, Antony Piscioneri, Anthony Ture, Yohei Matsumoto, Joshua Barresi, Jordan Maricic, Connor Centofanti, Alexander Woodlands, Luca Meggetto, James Boffa, Nicholas Harpas.
Croydon FC
Last season: 8th
Coach: Travis Dodd
Captain: Luke Klimek
After an impressive 2020 season which saw Croydon FC finish 4th, the 2021 season was one to forget, which saw them experience only 2 wins in their first 15 games. However, a late resurgence from Travis Dodd’s men saw the team finish the season with five wins in seven games, and only losing one. They recorded a big win against former champions Campbelltown City, while preventing Adelaide City’s premiership dreams with a last round draw.
With former superstar Domenic Costanzo’s midseason return and the impressive form from the ever-reliable Patrick Caraccia, Croydon FC’s relegation worries were scrapped very quickly as they turned their sights on a top six finish. Caraccia was instrumental in Croydon’s late success with his talents earning him a third-place finish in the 2021 Sergio Melta Medal award while finishing as the team’s leading goal scorer with 6 goals. The incredible efforts from John Hall should not be overlooked, however, as his talents saw his side concede the fifth least in the competition, conceding less than top six rivals Sturt Lions, South Adelaide and Adelaide Olympic.
After an impressive end to the season, Dodd will look to carry that form into this upcoming season, while trying to maintain a familiar squad. Croydon recruited recently relegated Dion Kirk, a perfect addition to the squad, as the four-time championship winning midfielder looks to prove that he’s still a top midfielder in the league. Kirk contributed 8 goals in 22 appearances, despite being unable to prevent Adelaide Croatia Raiders from facing the drop. The club is also reunited with former prodigy Joseph Macheda who returns after spending a valuable year with Adelaide United Youth.
After finishing the season as the third lowest goalscoring team, Croydon FC will hope their new signings can improve this. With their impressive improvement towards the conclusion of the 2021 season, Dodd will hope his side can start in a similar fashion they ended 2021, as the club looks to once again break into the top six.
Squad: John Hall, John Panagaris, Lawand Hasan, Luke Klimek, Chris Vivian, Sebastian Goode, Adam Martinello, Dion Kirk, Antoni Trimboli, Luis Benedetti, Eric Scardigno, Froibert Niyonkuru, Peter Mercurio, Dominic Costanzo, Kristos Stefanopoulos, Joseph Macheda, Jarred Brazzale, Benson Nsegetse, Jarred Clark, Gianni Tramontin, Patrick Caraccia
Stay tuned for Part Two coming Wednesday February 16.
