State League One football is back with two NPL 2021 spots up for grabs! We dive into the contenders with Metro Homes SA to see how teams are fairing as we look forward to a competitive 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 Hills
Adelaide Hills return to State League 1 off the back of a dominant 2019 season, securing promotion by finishing clear on top of the table by 8 points, then going on to win the State League 2 Grand Final 3-1 (AET) against fellow promoted side Vipers FC.
State League 2 Golden Boot Winner Daniel Hosking will lead the line in attack for the Hawks and he will be well supported by veteran Nathan Elliott and the NPL experienced Lewis Farquhar.
Club stalwart Craig Leith will take the reigns again this season, with Jake Loechel retaining the captain’s armband.
Squad: 1.Connor Hudson, 3. Nick Walker, 8. Jake Forrester, 7.Lewis Farquhar, Res GK Travis Brookes, 2. Nathan Elliott, 6 Dan Ryles 17.Dan Hosking, 4. Reece Markham, 19. Max Caon, 9. Ollie Grant, 5.Owen Smith, 10. Danny Pauli, 13.Callum Quinn, 19. Jay Devine 14. Jake Loechel, 12. Jayden Miller, 20. TBC, 11. James Lenzi, 18.Sam Bowman, 16.Jarrah Gardener, 15. Callum Hutchins
Ins: Ollie Grant (White City) Jake Forrester (Birkalla) James Lenzi (Cove) Owen Smith(Cumberland) Jarrah Gardener (White City) Bevan Henderson (Northern Demons) Callum Quinn (Queensland)
Outs: Luke Smith (Port Pirates) Craig Smith (Collegiate League) Lewis Coulls (retired) Mackenzie Hyder (interstate study) Jake Pollard (interstate study)
Key Player: Nathan Elliott
Adelaide Victory
Adelaide Victory will be hoping to avoid another 'survival season' and push on from last years campaign. Victory finished in 10th spot in season 2019 and found the back of the net just 28 times.
Yianni Stamatelopoulos will be hoping that new signings Coyne, Krantis, De Iacono, Musigwa, Ueda and Dunphy will breathe new life into the side and push them up towards the opposite end of the table.
Domenico Tallidira and George Katsigiannis will be hungry to carry on their form last season, with the Best and Fairest and Golden Boot winners staying on at the club for another term.
Key Players: Domenico Tallidira and George Katsigiannis
Squad: 5 ALEX KATSIGIANNIS, 13 NICK MALANDRIS, 4 JOSHUA COYNE, 9 GEORGE KATSIGIANNIS, 11 MICHAEL BIRBAS, 17 MARCO KRANTIS, 14 EDDIE DE IACONO, 19 VASILI CARAPANAYIOTIS, 8 HERMANN FOMBASSION, 15 STASI SAVVOUDIS, 2 CHRISTWISH MUSIGWA, 7 SAIDI MACHOCHI, 20 ANDRE MACHOCHI, 16 YASUMASA UEDA, 3 DELPH MACHOCHI, 6 EVERISTE LUYIKSA, 10 DOMENICO TALLADIRA, 22 THOMAS CAPOGRECO, 12 TERRY THEODOROU, 18 JEROME DUNPHY, 1 GEORGE SAVVOUDIS, 21 JOSEF SHYTI
Ins: (JOSHUA COYNE-NOARLUNGA), (MARCO KRANTIS-GAWLER), (EDDIE DE IACONO-CROYDON), (CHRISTWISH MUSIGWA-CLIFTON HILL VIC), (YASUMASA UEDA-NOARLUNGA), (JEROME DUNPHY-DARWIN OLYMPIC NT)
Outs: (KOSTA MANTIS-UNKNOWN), (MATTIA TETTAMANTI-ITALY), (VINCENT TALLADIRA RETIRED), (GEORGE ASLANIDIS RETIRED), (EMILIANO STORANI-ITALY), (MARCO MARIANI- ITALY)
Fulham United
John Christipoulos's are looking to build on an agonising end to 2019, after missing out on a finals spot by just two points.
United have held on joint top scorers Isaac Handley and Marco Mittiga and hopes the pair will improve on their seven-goal tally from the previous campaign.
Squad: 1 Michael Giorgines, 2 Mark Talladira, 3 Thomas Dichiera, 4 Michael Shinnick, 5 Daniel Voss-Piotto, 6 Andre Silvi, 7 Alec Maiolo, 8 Nicky- Joe Caruso, 9 Marco Mittiga, 10 Sanjin Julardzija, 11 Anthony Babb, 12 Ryuta Hamamatsu, 13 Diego Ramos, 14 Aleksander Markaj, 15 Joseph Punturieri, 16 Giuseppe Pacillo, 17 Luke Russo, 18 Joe Bingham, 19 Marc Cavallin, 20 Isaac Handley, 21 Andre Noujaim, 22 Josh Negrean, 23 Ben Takos
Ins: Unknown
Outs: Unknown
Key Players: Isaac Handley and Marco Mittiga
Playford City
Playford returned to State League 1 in 2019, which on reflection can be marked as a successful year of consolidation for Ben Moore in his second full season as coach. The Patriots finished in 9th place but were only four points adrift of a finals berth.
Season 2020 has been flagged as a year for progression and Moore hasn’t wasted time in recruiting players to help his cause, welcoming Michael Acton (Raiders), Daniel Ryan (White City) and Rhys Townsend who returns from overseas but previously served Campbelltown City and Para Hills Knights.
Playford faces a tough task in Round 1 at home against West Adelaide, who were recently relegated from the top-flight of local football.
Squad: 1 Anthony Capaldi, 2 Michael Acton, 3 Brayden French, 4 Rhys Townsend, 5 Sadegh Heidari, 6 Rasoul Heidari, 7 Zac Halliday, 8 Michael Oliver, 9 Josh Moran, 10 Daniel Ryan, 11 David Biar, 12 Matthew Capone, 13 Bol Mapor, 14 Kotaro Konishi, 15 Jack Tamkin, 16 Chol Wel, 17 Jackson Kurtz, 18 Kegan Osborne, 19 Geoffrey Hulls, 20 Matthew Baine, 21 Evan Toskas, 22 Cooper Halliday
Ins: Rhys Townsend (Para Hills Knights), Michael Acton (Raiders), David Biar (Para Hills Knights), Daniel Ryan (White City), Josh Moran (Raiders), Kotaro Konishi (Noarlunga), Sadegh Heidari (Adelaide City), Rasou Haidari (Adelaide City)
Outs: Jonathon Negus (unknown), William Stockdale (Para Hills Knights)
Key Player: Daniel Ryan
Seaford Rangers
Falling just three points shy of a place in the 2019 State League 1 Finals Series, Seaford will be hoping they can secure the additional points required to leap into the top 6 in 2020.
Senior Coach Steve Reed faces a tough task, however, with the departure of several key players to crosstown rivals South Adelaide, including the Rideout brothers, who between them slotted 21 of Seaford’s total of 42 goals last season.
Reed’s replacements include striker Jumar Oakley (USA) and midfielder Jarrod Smalley (UK), as well as closer to home signing in Nick Mavromatis (Pirates).
A Round 2 southern derby versus South Adelaide is shaping up as an early contender for match of the season, as friends and foes collide under lights at Karingal Reserve.
Squad: GK 1, Jake Stewart England 7, Rory Hanson 3, Adam Bartlett 4, Harry Aplin 8, Osman Fofana 6, Jarrod Smalley 10, Jumar Oakley 11, Dale Anderson 9, Cooper Sawtell 17, Steve Hall 5, Jake Carmichael 14, Ben Easton 15, Auckland Heys 18, Tom Sills 16, Nathan Smith 12, Nick Mavromantis 24, Jarrod Reynolds 2
Ins: Nick Mavromatis - Pirates, Jake Stewart England - Return from year off, Jumar Oakley -USA, Jarrod Smalley - UK, Dale Anderson - South, Osman Fofana – Olympic, Jarrod Reynolds - Birks
Outs: JJ Rideout, Alex Rideout, Blake Lindsay, Jake Dowsett, Jack Walker all to South. Jacob Atkinson to Sturt, Nick Atkinson retired, Ross Mullins AFL, Kakaa Dembelle back to the UK
Key Player: Adam Bartlett
South Adelaide Panthers
After facing the disappointment of relegation from South Australia’s top flight, only securing one win in the 2019 season, Panthers will take confidence from a spirited pre-season showing, going undefeated in all their lead up matches, including wins against Adelaide Blue Eagles, Cumberland United and Para Hills Knights.
New coach Andrew Calderbank, responsible for leading Adelaide City’s Women’s NPL domination in 2019, has brought in some familiar faces to lead Panthers’ revival. Brothers Alex and Jonathan Rideout return to O’Sullivan’s Beach, while Mitch Nicholson has put the boots back on after taking a break last season.
Club stalwart Christopher Reed has called time on his career and arguably the club’s most consistent performer in recent seasons Sam Carmichael has departed for Croydon, opening the door for new leaders to emerge under Calderbank’s guidance.
Squad: 1 Ryan Veitch, 2 Michael Goode, 4 Robert Parker, 5 Jeven Beck, 7 Jared Daly, 8 Brett Rayner, 9 Jack Rudge, 10 Jonathon Rideout, 11 Alex Rideout, 12 Joey Taylor, 13 Jai Conroy, 14 Connor Hunt, 15 Scott Gobec, 16 Caden Yates, 17 Joel Smith, 18 Jordon Watson, 19 Blake Lindsay, 20 Jack Walker, 21 Thomas Parks, 23 Mitch Nicholson, 24 Callum Nissen, 31 Jack Ellis, 49 Jake Dowset
Ins: Jared Daly (Noarlunga United), Jack Rudge (Cove), Jonathon Rideout (Seaford), Alex Rideout (Seaford), Joey Taylor (Seaford), Connor Hunt (Seaford), Scott Gobec (Noarlunga United), Blake Lindsay (Seaford), Jack Walker (Seaford), Mitch Nicholson (didn’t play), Jake Dowset (Seaford)
Outs: Christopher Reed (retired), S Carmichael (Croydon), N Harpas, T Izumi, C Ashwood, B Micallef, C Tinion, C Rhodes, D Pollock, D Thornton, L Wooding, H Gepp, J Lobasso, T Condon, C Zacharopoulos, M Haruoka, D Lobasso
Key Player: Jonathon Rideout
Sturt Lions
After a stellar home and away season in 2019 where they finished in second place on 43 points, Sturt Lions failed to capitalise on their ladder position in the State League 1 Finals Series, delaying hopes of a return straight back to the top tier of local football.
Lino Fusco remains in the head coach role for the Lions, with 500+ game veteran John Fusco donning captain’s armband again this season.
Proven goal scorer David Thornton joins Sturt from relegated NPL side South Adelaide, while Samed Altundag has made the switch to Para Hills Knights, a player Fusco may find hard to replace.
2019 Bob Telfer Medallist Akira Kobaishi and Daniel Guastella shared Best and Fairest honours for the club last season and will be vital in the battle for promotion.
Squad: 1 James Klappers, 2 Ben Woolard, 3 Daniel Guastella, 4 Sam Shoemark, 5 Lachlan Duffy, 6 Toby Nelson, 7 Jacob Atkinson, 8 Anthony Taylor, 9 Gonzalo Rodriguez, 10 Alex Sortini, 11 Thanasi Morakis, 12 David Thornton, 13 Cooper Mullins, 14 Jacob Donk, 15 Akira Kobaishi, 16 Sam Voigt, 18 Cale Nagle, 19 Thomas Berg, 21 Val Esposito (GK)
Ins: Dave Thornton (South Adelaide), Jacob Atkinson (Seaford), Thanasi Morakis (West Adelaide), Val Esposito (Fulham), Thomas Berg (Sydney)
Outs: Samed Altundag (Para Hills Knights), Dadzie Headman (Para Hills Knights), Hamish Anderson (Raiders), Shaun Williamson (retired)
Key Player: Akira Kobaishi
Vipers FC
Vipers make the leap to State League 1 this season, in what will be only their fifth year within the Football SA competition structure.
Andrew Burgess’ side was the surprise packet in last year’s State League 2 Finals Series, coming from 4th place to make the Grand Final and secure their place in SA’s middle tier.
Vipers will play their home games on unfamiliar territory this year, relocating fixtures to Jack Smith Park (home of West Torrens Birkalla), as part of the jump up.
Securing early wins will be vital for Vipers to ensure they don’t end up at an end of year battle for survival. With the departure of last year’s leading goal scorers Nicholas Stefanopoulos (16 goals) to West Adelaide and Joaquin Torres (8 goals) to Northern Demons, unearthing a consistent goal scorer early is a necessity.
Squad: 1 Sonny Calabria, 2 Ramadhan Kamugisha, 3 Alex Clarke, 4 Aaron Bannister, 5 Anthony Vakitsidis, 6 Anyoun Kuol, 7 Sam Viola, 8 Chris Wulff, 9 John Papapetros, 10 Alexi Georgakopoulos, 11 Augustus Williams, 12 Kyle Theodoroulakes, 13 Matheus Borges-Rodrigues, 14 Peter Akot, 15 Morris Dahn, 16 Abdul Balamba, 17 Stefan Russo, 18 Bul Mabil, 19 Lucas Candeloro, 20 Owen Skanes, 21 Chris Lucas, 22 Hamish Anderson.
Ins: Aaron Bannister (Kidderminster Harriers (UK), Morris Dahn (Raiders), John Papapetros (Croydon Kings), Kyle Theodoroulakes (Pescara Calcio (Italy), Bul Mabil (Para Hills), Lucas Candeloro (Adelaide Blue Eagles), Anyoun Kuol (Salisbury Inter), Deng Deng (Salisbury Inter)
Outs: Alek Simic – unknown. Diego Garcia – Northern Demons, Juaquin – Northern Demons, Nick Stephonoplous – West Adelaide
Key Player: Ramadhan Kamugisha
West Adelaide
For the first time since 2013, West Adelaide faces the prospect of another skirmish to get out of the State’s second-tier competition.
Vas Parhas steps into the role of senior coach, following stints as assistant to Joe Mullen at Campbelltown and as a development coach within the Football SA Talented Player Pathway.
Parhas has been forced to recruit to replace some of the quality departings, with former captain Perry Mitris joining Adelaide City, Ibby Kamara signing for Para Hills, and both Matthew Bouzalas and Mathew Bouraee calling time on their respective careers.
On the way in, last year’s Sergio Melta Medallist Ricardo Da Silva returns from a two-year stint at Adelaide Olympic, while Yaz Sudic (Raiders) and Jacob Williams (Campbelltown) are just three of a long list of quality additions to the squad.
West Adelaide will play home games out of TK Shutter Reserve (home of MetroStars) until completion of their new Kilburn based facility.
Squad: 1. Lewis Moss, 3. Ambes Yosief, 5. Peter Eleftherakis, 6. Eli Vlassis, 7. Kristos Stefanopoulos, 8. Kosta Mantis, 9. Harun Omerovic, 10. Ricardo Da Silva, 12. Jacob Williams, 14. Jack Yull, 15. Nicholas Stefanopoulos, 16. Brad Chick, 17. Asad Kasumovic, 20. Thanasis Lesi, 21. Kosta Zacharopoulas, 22. Andrej Rastovac, 24. Matt Di Matteo, 91. Yaz Sudic
Ins: Ricardo Da Silva (Olympic), Jacob Williams (Campbelltown), Peter Eleftherakis (Para Hills), Ambes Yosief (Raiders), Nicholas Stefanopoulos (Vipers) Yaz Sudic (Raiders), Andrej Rastovac (Western Strikers)
Outs: Matthew Bouraee (Retired) Perry Mitris (Adelaide City), Matthew Bouzalas (Retired), Imbrahima Kamara (Para Hills)
Key Player: Ricardo Da Silva
West Torrens Birkalla
Following their relegation to State League 1 at the end of the 2018 season, Birkalla’s 5th place finish and subsequent elimination final loss wasn’t enough to see them make the leap straight back into the NPL for 2020.
Experienced coach Chris Goddard returns for a second season in charge at Jack Smith Park and long-time servant JP Cirillo will assume the role of captain again this year.
Goddard has an ace up his sleeve in former Queens Park Rangers Junior Trey Williams, who will line up in attacking midfield for Birks.
An exodus of players following the drop from NPL to State League 1 meant last year’s Birkalla side was almost completely new. With twelve-months under their belt to gel and an injection of exciting talent, Birks have the artillery to exceed last season’s achievements.
Squad: 1 John Solari, 20 Alex Kyrakou, 2 Michael Camacho, 3 James Polli, 4 Chris Ashwood, 5 Will Plush, 6 Samuel Tesfagabr, 7 Thomas King, 8 Salvatore Romano, 9 Calvin Mbarga , 10 Trey Williams, 11 Kyle Marham, 12 Melad Ahmed, 13 Michael Gravas, 14 Peter Katsambis, 15, Daniel Solari, 16 Cruise Papandrea, 17 Michael Gravas, 18 Scott Harrison, 19 Reece Jurjevic, 21 Anthony Quici, 23 Davide Zerillo, 31 Daniel Crossing, 80 J P Cirillo
Ins: Maled Ahmed (Adelaide City), Chris Ashwood (South Adelaide), Scott Harrison (Seaford), Scott Harrison (Seaford), Peter Katsambis (Croydon Kings), Kyle Markam (VPL), Cruise Papandrea (Olympic), James Polli (Croydon Kings), Salvatore Romano (Western Strikers), Trey Williams (QPR, UK), Seb Scalzi (Strikers)
Outs: Chris Fleming (Salisbury United), Louis Lloyd, George Mannion (UK), Liam Mullan, Craig Shearer (Queensland), Luka Chickwubba (Para Hills), Jasper Kelley (Para Hills), Jeremey Degraffenreidt (USA)
Key Player: Samuel Tesfagabr
Western Strikers
Western Strikers will enter the 2020 season with a new coach at the helm, following the departure of Dino Paris. Mauro DeMarco, who served as Paris’ assistant last year, was the obvious choice to replace the outgoing gaffer who guided Strikers to an elimination final in 2019.
A string of retirements opens the door for younger players to emerge for Strikers, with Joe Ciarla, Michelle Lastella and Fortunato Felliti all calling time on their careers. One significant loss to DeMarco’s talent pool is the departure of last year’s leading goal scorer Dylan D’Agostino (interstate).
Western Strikers welcome Matt Canny (White City) and Harris Vuckic (Adelaide City), both of which have experience and knowledge to support captain Adrian D’Alfonso.
Squad: Adrian D'Alfonso,(C) Adrian Giacomelli, Angus Mitchell, Dion Karagiannis, Frank Violi, Matt Canny, Haris Vuckic, Jacob Handley, Jacob Lavery, James Murray, Joseph Tripodi, Linus Johnston, Nicola Markovic, Sam Lennon GK, Sam Redwood, Sasa Zekanovic, Seth Buttery GK, Stefan Didone, Tariq Eltahir, Nicholas Krznaric, Anthony Loungo, Michael Moularas
Ins: Matt Canny (White City), Haris Vuckic,(Adelaide City) Linus Johnston(West Adelaide) Nicola Markovic (Serbia), Sam Lennon GK (White City), Sam Redwood (Eastern United) Sasa Zekanovic (Adelaide Uni), Nicholas Krznaric (Pirates), Anthony Loungo (Modbury)
Outs: Joe Ciarla (retired) Michelle LaStella(retired) Fortunato Felliti (retired), Dylan Agostino (Qlds), Kirill Grethko (Eastern United) Alex Metanomski (overseas), Andrej Rastovac (West Adelaide) Salavtore Romano (Birkalla)
Key Players: Jacob Handley
White City
Arguably the biggest coup of the off-season for the State League 1 is not the signing of a player, but that of Australian football icon Damian Mori who returns to coaching following his departure from Adelaide City at the end of the 2018 season.
The Adelaide City legend will lead White City, with the support of former Adelaide United player Jonas Salley, after the Woodville based club originally signed another ex-Adelaide United fan-favourite to the role. Cassio resigned from his appointment as Warriors coach to follow his son interstate after signing for Melbourne City.
A long list of inclusions includes 2019 Adelaide Comets player Stefan Simic. Mori will be looking to capture his valuable NPL experience, with Stefan making 21 appearances last season with 5 goals to his name.
Squad: 2. Hayden Walters 3. Marcelo Paola 4. Shannon Day 5. Shane Tobias 6. Jordan Pudler 7. David Signore 8. Stefan Simic 9. Jonathan Negus 10. Miroslav Petkovic 11. Harley Gepp 12. Antonios Natsiopoulos 13. Deale Chamberlain 14. Yuichi Hasegawa 17. Chahine Noujaim 18. Anthony Dimas 19. Alexei Essex 20. Liam Bebbington 21. Nikola Jokic 22. Yianni Nestoras 23. Masaya Sasaki.
Ins: Stefan Simic (Adelaide Comets), Jordan Pudler (Brahma Lodge), Deale Chamberlain (Northern Demons), Yuichi Hasegawa (Japan), Masaya Sasaki (Japan), Jonathan Negus (Playford Patriots), Shannon Day (Cumberland United)
Outs: Sam Lennon (Western Strikers), Daniel Ryan (Playford Patriots), Matt Canny (Western Strikers), Declan Finney (Unkown), Oliver Grant (Adelaide Hills), Mitchell Higgins (Eastern United), Chris Christofilos (Adelaide Comets), Ryuta Hamamatsu (Unknown)
Key Player: Chahine Noujaim