Football South Australia’s State League 1 and Stage League 2 competitions return this weekend for their respective 2023 seasons, with some familiar, cemented-on teams facing off and some new faces around ready to make their mark.
Football South Australia commentator and FSA Life Member, Marc Talbot looks at how each team measures up and provides some early predictions.
*Please note, the below preview was written by the fantastic Marc Talbot. The below may not reflect the thoughts of Football South Australia.
For full squad ins and outs, click here to access the FSA Media Guide.
State League 1:
Adelaide Croatia Raiders
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 1
Coach: Vlado Blazeca
Adelaide Croatia Raiders have recruited well, both on the pitch and in the dugout, having brought Vlado back to the club alongside club legend Justin Bralic and player assistant coach, Dave Carosi with a clear aim to gain promotion back to the RAA NPLSA. Experience remains on the pitch in key areas, with Solari in goals, Costa shoring up the midfield and Da Silva up front to guide and mentor the younger players. This may be Adelaide Croatia Raiders year to push for that top of the table finish and to regain NPL status, although it will be tight up the top with Playford and West Torrens Birkalla and Cumberland United nipping at their heels.
Adelaide Blue Eagles
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 2
Coach: Andrej Rastovac
Adelaide Blue Eagles will without a doubt be playing finals and vying for promotion after retaining Dante Isla Cacciavillani, who is instrumental to the way they play. Good results across pre-season have Adelaide Blue Eagles in good stead to make that push back to where they believe they belong; in the RAA NPLSA.
Playford City SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 3
Coach: Ben Moore
Playford City Patriots will be looking for an improved performance on last year after starting the season strong and with high expectations, only to fade away as the season progressed to finish in 7th. A strong recruitment drive has seen Ostbye join from MetroStars, D’Agostino and Harvey both switch allegiances from Campbelltown City, Viogt and Woolard moving across from Sturt, and Sudiz and Isaac Mullens no less also joining the ranks, all with the aim of achieving promotion. However, despite Playford’s best efforts, they will have to contend with solid Adelaide Blue Eagles and Adelaide Croatia Raiders sides for the coveted promotion spots.
Para Hills Knights SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 4
Coach: Theo Tsiounis
Despite losing some experience in Maio to Eastern United and Bouzalas to Fulham United, Para Hills’ knack to bring through the youth from their production line of juniors means they always having willing and surprising talent ready to step up and take their chance to have a great break out season in Stage League 1. Para Hills Knights are likely to feature in finals but are outsiders for a top 3 finish.
Cumberland United
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 5
Coach: Terry Westwood
Cumberland will be looking to spring straight back to the RAA NPLSA after 2022 saw them relegated to State League 1 and will be hoping for the ‘new coach bounce’ after the appointment of Terry Westwood, who boasts a resume including MetroStars and Adelaide Croatia Raiders. Tommy Briscoe returns to the green and gold from Adelaide Comets and will be hoping to recapture the form he previously had during his last stint at Cumberland; 12 goals in 22 games in 2021.
West Torrens Birkalla
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 6
Coach: Daniel Patterson
West Torrens Birkalla will also be looking to make their stay in Stage League 1 a short and temporary one after being relegated from the RAA NPLSA in 2022. Birkalla have managed to retain majority of their squad from last year and will likely use that experience and learnings to turn the disappointment into motivation to inspire their performances this season. Ashwood, Simic and Cirillo remain at the forefront of the squad, who are now led by Daniel Patterson, a new inclusion as a coach at first team level but one who will be itching to prove himself given this opportunity.
Adelaide Omonia Cobras
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 7
Coach: Robbie Ditroia
Although Cobras will be vying for a final’s appearance, solidifying their State League 1 spot after coming up from Stage League 2 will be their number one priority and Robbie Ditroia has recruited to make sure this happens. A lot of new ins from RAA NPLSA pedigree, including Lui Ditroia from Campbelltown City, Pudler from FK Beograd and Adam Harpas from Adelaide Comets, will mean the side will have to find their chemistry and game style quickly to ensure success.
Eastern United FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 8
Coach: Gabriel Markaj
Eastern United will likely throw their name in the hat amongst the battle for the remaining finals spots. Some intelligent additions have been made to the squad including Paulli from Adelaide Hills Hawks, Manidakis of Adelaide Olympic, Maio and Pjetri from Para Hills Knights, Kamugisha of Vipers, and Benouzekri of Adelaide University.
Fulham United FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 9
Coach: Tony Galanopoulos
New Fulham recruits include Mannion of West Torrens Birkalla, Grant of Adelaide Hills Hawks, Bouzalas from Para Hills and Di Maria from West Adelaide, all nabbed in the hopes of continuing their run of making finals.
Adelaide Victory FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 10
Coach: Rick Cerraccio
Given the big gap between the bottom two and Adelaide Victory last year, they will likely continue to avoid relegation in 2023 and grow as a club within State League 1 to become a mainstay in the competition. Victory have secured the services of the experienced Evan Kounavelis from FK Beograd to give the side extra bite and quality to build towards finals and promotion in the future.
Vipers FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 11
Coach: Madge Imbrahim
A fantastic result for Vipers FC to gain promotion from Stage League 2 under the guidance of Madge Imbrahim following overcoming Western Strikers in the 2022 grand final, however they will have their work cut out for them to stay up. An additional challenge for Vipers includes them playing away from their home this season, losing the home advantage away from their fortress of St. Clair Oval. Vipers will be heavily reliant on their existing squad who got them promotion last season with the exception of Kamugisha who has departed for Eastern United, and Moore who has gone overseas to the UK.
Port Adelaide SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 12
Coach: Steven Hughes
Coach Steven Hughes now has a full pre-season under his belt to get his players and team playing the style that he wants. This comes after being thrust into the side part way through last season to guide the team to a respectable finish, just a few points away from finals and well away from relegation. A few huge losses for the side may prove the difference in their finishing spot this year, with Marchioro off to Salisbury United, and Skeffington and Coley entering different levels of retirement.
State League 2:
Western Strikers SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 1
Coach: Daniel Blanco
After marginally missing out on promotion to Stage League 1 after losing the 2022 grand final to Vipers FC, Western Strikers will be looking to use that heartbreak as extra motivation to really be the team to beat this season. The off-season has seen the side recruit over all aspects of the park, including Chahine Noujaim and Petkovic from FK Beograd, Andre Joujaim of Fulham, Di Matteo of Adelaide University, Karagiannis from Northern Demons and Dimas and Composto of Pontian Eagles.
Adelaide University SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 2
Coach: Phil Stubbins
The appointment of Phil Stubbins in the coaching position has been an astute one following some recent turnover in the role last season. Key players in Hiern, Bladen and Niutta have exited to Cobras, however recruitment has been in overdrive to cover their loss in the experienced Mbarga of West Torrens Birkalla and Crout. Multiple young players have also been signed to ensure the squad has strength and depth in the event of injuries.
Noarlunga United SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 3
Coach: Steve Reed
Noarlunga United experienced a disappointing year in 2022 where they couldn’t continue their momentum from 2021 following limited squad rejuvenation. Noarlunga will be hoping for a different outcome in 2023, learning from their shortcomings of the previous season, and recruiting in positions required to support the remainder of the existing squad in the form of Pegararo, South Adelaide’s Muscroft and Smith from Adelaide Comets. Steven Reed has been seconded from Seaford Rangers as first team coach, bringing with him Dowsett and Donk, following Bolto’s appointment to Football Operations.
Cove FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 4
Coach: Matthew Prodanovski
Cove FC have secured the services of Ince and Visser from Cumberland United to alleviate the loss of King and Higgens to South Adelaide. Prodanovski will continue to encourage his young side to work hard for each other and play their preferred style of playing out from the back, led by new goalkeeper signing, Jed Gauci. Jed, younger brother of Adelaide United’s Joe Gauci, will be looking to cement himself as number one between the sticks after the departure of Van Dijk, and if he settles well, Cove will continue their push for finals.
Salisbury United FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 5
Coach: Matthew Gaston
Another year under the guidance of Gaston will likely see Salisbury United play finals this year with the maturation of younger players who starred last year. The signing of Marchioro from Port Adelaide Pirates will ensure the side has solid leadership at the back in addition to an aerial threat on set pieces. The additions of Kaye from Modbury Vista, Uwumarogie from Port Adelaide Pirates, Luongo from Modbury Jets and Coull of Parafield Gardens ensures Salisbury United’s squad depth can see them through the season proper and into the finals.
Northern Demons SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 6
Coach: Michael Roros
After nabbing the last finals spot in 2022 after a better than expected season, Northern Demons will be hoping to go one step further following their first round finals exit. Although they have lost Mullins to Adelaide Olympic, the retention of leading goal scorer, Nestoras is a huge coup for the Demons. Ftoni, Pacanci, Adelaide Blue Eagles Abirha and Western Strikers Mupandawana join the flanks for what will be a team to watch in 2023.
Seaford Rangers FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 7
Coach: Andrew Shore
2023 will spell an interesting year for Seaford Rangers, who have lost head coach Steven Reed to Noarlunga United, bringing in Andrew Shore as his replacement. With the new appointment of Shore comes someone new to the club with different ideas and playing style that may take time for the team to adjust. Shore has had to contend with replacing Dowsett and Donk, who moved with Reed to Noarlunga United, as well as Nissen to South Adelaide.
Adelaide Hills FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 8
Coach: Greg Videon
Adelaide Hills continues to go through another year of rebuilding after the loss of some key players including Grant to Fulham United and Paulli to Eastern United. Hills, like Adelaide University, will have the added target on their back of being a relegated team that the other teams will be looking to prove a point against by beating.
Modbury Vista SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 9
Coach: Jonathon Negus
Modbury Vista will continue to be a tough team to play against in 2023 and have strengthened their squad to get them closer to pushing for a finals spot in the form of Griffiths from West Adelaide, Head from Para Hills Knights and Coyne of Parafield Gardens, who are all solid performers that will look to raise the overall level of the entire squad.
Gawler Eagles FC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 10
Coach: Omar Hassan
Omar Hassan has been appointed the task of improving upon Gawler Eagles FC’s 2022 season after finishing at the bottom of the table. Hassan has bought in two players from Vanuatu to add some experience to push the side to a better finish in 2023.
Mount Barker United SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 11
Coach: TBA
The loss of Nathan Fleetwood only weeks out from the competition commencing due to work commitments will likely have an impact on the side, as he made a great impression on the team last season to get them off to their best start in State League 2 history. The side managed to secure some key inclusions prior to Fleetwood’s departure, including Rossi, Vearncombe from NPL Canberra, Weston from overseas, Savill of Playford Patriots and Seaford’s McKee.
Pontian Eagles SC
Marc’s predicted ladder position: 12
Coach: Jim Karatzis
2023 will likely prove to be a challenging year for Pontian Eagles as they face a rebuild off the field as their ground undergoes upgrades, as well as on the field following the loss of the club’s leading striker from the past two seasons, Dimas to Western Strikers.