2011 Season Preview

Premier League

The fifty-second season of State League football in Western Australia has all the hallmarks of being an absolute thriller. Perennial front-runners Perth SC and Western Knights will face strong challenges from Stirling Lions as well as big improvers ECU Joondalup and Balcatta. It’s going to be tight at the other end of the table where many expect Armadale, Mandurah City and Premier League returnees Bayswater City in the mix for the two relegation spots.

The top five sides at the conclusion of the home and away season enter a play-off series which culminates in the Grand Final at the start of October to decide the State Champion. Brett Klucznik takes a close look at each of the twelve clubs - in alphabetic order - including a summary of player movements and an assessment of squad strengths and weaknesses. The footballwa.net team along with Ashley Morrison (‘Not the Footy Show’) and Eamon Duffy (‘Let’s Talk Football’) then offer their thoughts on how season 2011 will pan out...

The tone has been set for a year of adjustment at ARMADALE. The Reds finished mid-table last year but the loss of several influential figures, including star striker James Robinson and coach Brad Hassell, and a pre-season that was nothing to write home about doesn’t at all bode well. New coach Scott Miller will look to Cyril Sharrock and Steve McDonald for on-field leadership and Tom Robinson, Craig Young and Anthony Campbell for goals. The impending arrival of a handful of imports will come as welcome relief to the Reds loyal supporters as their team bunkers down to make sure 2011 isn’t their last in the Premier League.

In: Warren Beattie (Kendall Town, Eng.), Anthony Campbell (Western Knights), Ross Diamond (Canning City), Tom Kennedy (Gosnells City), Scott Miller (coach), Parys Okai (Arlesey Town, Eng.), Craig Young (Mandurah City), Paul Lloyd (Eng.)
Out: Warren Grieve (Forrestfield United), John Hunter (Forrestfield United), Ben Kelly (ECU Joondalup), Ryan Pearson (Perth Glory Youth), Neil Muckles (Rockingham City), John Watson (Witham Town, Eng.), Matt Barlow (Eng.), Mark Darby, Lewis Flatt, Brad Hassell (coach), Michael Ord, Steve Porter (Eng.)

An exciting time lies ahead as BALCATTA push into a new chapter in the clubs history with new coach Michael Roki. There was a total over haul of the playing roster during the summer months as Roki pieced together a squad capable of pushing into the top half of the table. Adam Tong, Jovo Pavlovic and Simon Elton-Bott underpin a very muscular defensive line. Midfielders John Migas and Daniel Micevski have the versatility to walk into any Premier League first eleven while striker Ashley Rosendale can inflict maximum damage given the opportunity. 2011 will be all about consolidation so that in a few years time Balcatta will be jockeying for top honours.

In: Mo Atak (Floreat Athena), Jason Barrera (Floreat Athena), Anthony Danze, Simon Elton-Bott, Spencer Harris (Hebden Royd Red Star, Eng.), Lewis Italiano (Inglewood United), Daniel Micevski (Western Knights), John Migas (Floreat Athena), Daniel Neiderberger (Floreat Athena), Jovo Pavlovic (Floreat Athena), Ryan Pretorius (Cockburn City), Michael Roki (coach), Paul Vatistas (Floreat Athena)
Out: Bobbi Klenkoski (Inglewood United), Matt Italiano (ECU Joondalup), Ian McKean (Morley Windmills), Andy O'Neill (Morley Windmills), Luke O'Neill (Morley Windmills), Julian Piromalli (Morley Windmills), Salv Todaro (coach), Mark Walsh (Morley Windmills), David Khuen (Somona Sounders, USA), Lucas Whitehouse (Mandurah City), Sam Allen, Corey Wiltshire

2011 is shaping up to be a testing time for BAYSWATER CITY, who enter 2011 with much the same squad that lifted the Division One trophy last year. Their greatest obstacle is going to be a dearth of top flight experience, making Anthony McStea, Damian Catalano and Cisco Jorquiera absolutely vital to their cause. Colombian striker Gustavo Marulanda will make his presence known while the efforts of Alex Caniglia and Carlos Lopez will also not go unnoticed. Having found in pre-season exactly what it takes to be competitive at this level Bayswater’s survival hinges very much on how many points they can pick up in the first half of the winter.

In: Nathan Diaz (Wanneroo City), Gavin Knight (Joondalup United), Gilmar Marulanda (Deportivo Pereira, Col.), Larry Miller (Joondalup United), Goran Radinovic (Dianella White Eagles), David Sesay (Stirling Lions), Stefan Smiljanic (Dianella White Eagles), Sam Loveless (Fremantle Spirit)
Out: Rodrigo Aguirre (Inglewood United), Okwy Diamondstar (Mohan Bagan, India), Kailo Karpeh (Jubilee FC, Liber.), Ryan Frisina (Morley Windmills)

COCKBURN CITY will shrug off the disappointments of the last twelve months by moving up the Premier League table. For the new season coach Tony Castiello has a largely unchanged squad, albeit with the added firepower of Johnny Mirco. Adrian Webster and Marc Anthony are ball playing midfielders of the highest calibre and will provide plenty of ammunition for Mirco and fellow striker Rory Feely. The loss of State player Shane Nunes to season-long injury throws the defensive spotlight on Paul Natale and promising young goalkeeper Dejan Aleksic. Cockburn should finish mid-table somewhere, maybe nudging the top five if luck goes their way.

In: Sam Carello (Fremantle Spirit), Johnny Mirco (Floreat Athena), Su Sung Yang (Korea)
Out: Ryan Pretorius (Balcatta), Ross Edwards (ECU Joondalup), Jason Dos Santos (Perth SC), Llewelyn Bake, Joe Brunetto, Jake Findlater, Shane Nunes (long-term injury), Jason O'Byrne, Craig Thompson (Rockingham City)

Winning the Night Series will be the high water mark of FLOREAT ATHENA’s year. A mass exodus over the summer means it’s a very different line-up that enters the home and away series, one that may have collected the pre-season trophy but that doesn’t have the depth needed to be near the top come September. The likes of Alex Dunn, James Isaia, Dean Apelgren, Paul Van Dongen and Garin Collins shows there is quality in the ranks, while the pre-season emergence of Liam Boland and Adam Wood points toward a very bright future. But right now Floreat are rebuilding and in 2011 they won’t experience finals football.

In: Dean Apelgren (long-term injury), Liam Boland (Swan United), Garin Collins (ECU Joondalup), Callum Franz, David Houston, Simon Madaschi (Stirling Panthers), Danny Trevisoil (Canning City), Michael Van Dongen (Swan United), Paul Van Dongen (Western Knights)
Out: Mo Atak (Balcatta), Jason Barrera (Balcatta), John Migas (Balcatta), Daniel Neiderberger (Balcatta), Jovo Pavlovic (Balcatta), Paul Vatistas (Balcatta), Johnny Mirco (Cockburn City), Adam Bachillor (Perth SC), Branimir Mikulic (Western Knights), Jakub Chudy (retired), Mondrick Sims

Perennial underachievers INGLEWOOD UNITED want to move on quickly from a truly forgettable 2010. In making sure his team stays well clear of the relegation zone this time around, coach Shane Pryce has made some quality additions. David McNally slots neatly into a defensive unit marshalled by veteran Darko Ilmanoski and goalkeeper Oliver Taseski, while in midfield James Sammut compliments Ryan Clarke and Sandi Loncar and provides ammunition for striker Rory Grant. With a little more depth and some promising pre-season results under their belt there is no reason why Inglewood can’t move a few rungs higher up the ladder.

In: Brendan Craig (Swan United), Bobbi Klenkoski (Balcatta), David McNally (Swan United), Ndumba Makeche (Stirling Lions), Rodrigo Aguirre (Bayswater City), James Sammut (Swan United)
Out: Lewis Italiano (Balcatta), Adrian Caceras (Heidelberg United, Vic.), Karl O'Reilly, Matt Worton, Jimmy Taneski (Morley Windmills)

ECU JOONDALUP will be one of the years big improvers. Coach Std Amphlett believes strongly in his players and qualifying for the Night Series final shows what they can achieve when everyone pulls in the same direction. In Andy Banks, Charlie Comyn-Platt, Oliver McGee, Dale McCulloch and Jon Higgins they have a very strong core unit that is spearheaded by 23-year old striker John Thornley. On their day Joondalup are more than capable of matching it with the best the State League has to offer but how high they finish this season will depend on how focused and free of injury they can remain.

In: Scott Bushby (Western Knights), Ross Edwards (Cockburn City), Sebastian Fransson (Sweden), Bryn Hindley (Dundee United, Sco.), Matt Italiano (Balcatta), Ben Kelly (Armadale), Ross Laing (Sorrento), Oliver McGee (Bunbury Forum Force), Ian McMurray (Perth SC)
Out: Garin Collins (Floreat Athena), Brandon O'Neill (Perth Glory Youth), Ross Anderson (Stirling Lions), Phil O'Callaghan (Stirling Lions), Jamie Watt (Stirling Lions)

There’s not going to be much change in the fortunes of MANDURAH CITY. Despite having hosting rights, Mandurah’s Night Series was nothing short of disastrous and when you take into account how things panned out last year then they’re looking at another season of struggle. It’s true they do have some very talented players in Andy Brown, Jeff Bright, Ryan Townsend, Ivan Zuvela and goalkeeper Phil Straker, however, scratching the surface reveals an alarming lack of depth. It really is difficult to see Mandurah being able to achieve the consistency required to be truly competitive so don’t be surprised to see them in the mix for relegation.

In: Mike Brazil (coach), Alan Darlington (Perth SC), Andrew Keary (Canning City), Jake Loreto (long-term injury), Jack Richardson (Canning City), Billy Rickman (Canning City), Tim Smith (Rockingham City), Matt Stares (Stirling Lions), Tom Straker (Dianella White Eagles), Scott Woodhouse (Eng.), Lucas Whitehouse (Balcatta), Tommy Jones, Seb Bell (Bunbury Forum Force)
Out: Craig Young (Armadale), Michael Bobridge (retired), Luke Bower, Mitchell Henderson-Miller, James Hesketh (Rockingham City), Danny Macklin (Rockingham City), Reece Van Veerhoven, Stuart Young (coach), Jordan Rhodes

For close to a decade PERTH SC have been the State League’s yardstick and new coach Ronnie Campbell has no intention of that changing on his watch. Campbell has tinkered a little with the squad he inherited, bringing in a few new faces and deploying some tactical changes. Shaun Kilkelly and Trent Kay provide solid defensive foundations and will once again link to terrific effect with the likes of Antonio Naglieri, Dom De Felice and Andreas Oliviera, who’ll score his fair share of goals alongside David Onoforo. With a squad of immense quality and depth, few would have Perth outside the top two.

In: Aaron Cole (long-term injury), Adam Bachillor (Floreat Athena), Ronnie Campbell (coach), Jason Dos Santos (Cockburn City), Callum O'Connell, Robert Sciascia (long-term injury), Greg Sharland (long-term injury)
Out: Hayden Doyle (Bentleigh Greens, Vic.), Alan Darlington (Mandurah City), Kyle Moran (Sorrento), Jason Marsden, Graham Normanton (coach), Ian McMurray (ECU Joondalup)

There aren’t a great deal many wrinkles in SORRENTO’s fabric that need ironing out. The nucleus of the side remains much as it has for the past few years and for 2011 they’ll have an ex-Wales international Paul Price at the helm. Daryl Platten and Danny Cain anchor the Gulls defence with former Perth Glory player Jamie Harnwell now also in the mix. The drive across the middle of the park comes from Brodie Martin, David Price and Todd Harnwell with David Foster responsible for the goals. Sorrento may not have the overall depth to be a title contender but they’ll do better than most.

In: Stuart Banks (Olympic Kingsway), Jack Doyle (Western Knights), David Foster (long-term injury), Callum Grindlay (Fossoway, Sco.), Jamie Harnwell (Perth Glory), Kyle Moran (Perth SC), David Price (Western Knights), Paul Price (coach), Yusuke Tanaka (Waseda United, Jap.)
Out: Joe Lamplough (Jerez Industrial, Spain), Ross Laing (ECU Joondalup), Adam Hayton (Padiham, Eng.), Billy Quinncroft (Perth Glory Youth), Glen Thomas (Western Knights), Ryan Jeans (retired), Jared Love

There’s been an extra spring into the step of STIRLING LIONS as Paul Lincoln prepares to take his team to the top. The summer months were not kind to Stirling with the club experiencing a rash of departures, however, those losses have been offset with some astute recruitment. Running the show out of midfield will be David Perich and Paul Dugdale with wide support from Roberto Lujan. Ex-Middlesbrough player Jason Gavin and Michael Pugliese anchor the backline as Jamie Watt looks to open up defences at the other end of the park. Stirling has a finely balance squad so don’t be surprised to see them holding the trophy aloft at seasons end.

In: Ross Anderson (ECU Joondalup), Huss Awada (Stirling Panthers), Corey Cullen (West Texas United Sockers, USA), Paul Dugdale (Cardinal Stritch University, USA), Phil O'Callaghan (ECU Joondalup), David Perich (Cardinal Stritch University, USA), Jamie Watt (ECU Joondalup)
Out: Mario Marcinko (Adelaide Raiders, S.Aust), Ndumba Makeche (Inglewood United), Matt Stares (Mandurah City), Phil Arnold (Indo.), Paul Dickson (Vic.), Stef Frost (Eng.), Tom Ingram (Eng.), Kevin Miller (retired), Shane Robinson (FC Haka, Finland), Jason Trpevski (Morley Windmills), David Sesay (Bayswater City)

There may have been considerable change at Nash Field but WESTERN KNIGHTS are still one of the teams to beat. Carl Medica watched almost his entire engine room moved on during the summer, however, the coach has replaced those who left with players of similar ability. Defence has always been their strength and with Frazer Siddall between the posts and captain David Annall alongside that won’t change. Luka Jukic makes a welcome return to the side and his partnership with Glen Thomas, Simon Versaico and Branimir Mikulic will determine their fortunes. The Knights are positioned very well to finish top of the pile for the third year running.

In: Cormac Dawson, Anthony Fearon (Fremantle Spirit), Luka Jukic (Fremantle Croatia), Branimir Mikulic (Floreat Athena), Callum Roberts (Dianella White Eagles), Glen Thomas (Sorrento), Lucas Whitehouse (Balcatta), Dale Wingell (Dianella White Eagles)
Out: Anthony Campbell (Armadale), Daniel Micevski (Balcatta), Paul Van Dongen (Floreat Athena), Scott Bushby (ECU Joondalup), David Micevski (Solo, Indo.), Jack Doyle (Sorrento), David Price (Sorrento)

footballwa.net Predictions

Division One

The 2011 Division One season swings into action this weekend with several clubs staking an early claim on promotion to next year’s Premier League. Many are tipping either Night Series winners Swan United or Bunbury Forum Force for top honours, however, breathing down their necks and ready to take advantage of even the slightest slip are a revitalised Morley Windmills, perennial powerhouse Wanneroo City and State League debutant Shamrock Rovers.

With the addition of a third tier to State League football imminent, the battle to remain in Division One promises to be similarly intriguing with Canning City, Fremantle Spirit and Rockingham City likely to be involved in a relegation dog fight. Brett Klucznik takes an in-depth look at each of the twelve clubs, assesses their strengths and weaknesses before the footballwa.net team and guest Eamon Duffy (‘Let’s Talk Football’) make some bold predictions as to how the season will pan out ...

The struggles of last season, when ASHFIELD escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth, have been consigned to history. New coach Matt Carruthers has made sweeping changes to the squad and instilled a new sense of purpose for the coming winter which should see Ashfield slowly make their way up the table. Pre-season experimentation has shown key roles await Brad Eiffe, Matt Wardle, veteran Andy Bowyer, Martin Sherwin and Ibnen Charming in a line-up where starting eleven competition will be red-hot. Hopes of a top five placing are certainly not out of the equation.

In: Muslum Bozkurt (Lynwood United), Andy Bowyer (Armadale), Matt Carruthers (coach), Ibnen Charming (Morley Windmills), Brad Eiffe (Queens Park), Ryan Fielder (Balcatta), Ian Griffiths (Dianella White Eagles), Farrell Hedges (Ballajura), Mladen Kovacevic (Inglewood United), Craig Highet (Wanneroo City), Aaron Holloway (Floreat Athena), Mark Humphries (Queens Park), Brian Maybin (Balymony United, Ire.), Razali Mohamad (Armadale), Aaron Moschopolous (Morley Windmills), Karl O'Reilly (Inglewood United), Martin Sherwin (Subiaco AFC), Nathan Thorpe (Balcatta), Matt Wardle (Inglewood United)
Out: Matt Battigelli (Dianella White Eagles), Mitch Castrilli (Morley Windmills), Nick Davies (Morley Windmills), Leo Harman (Morley Windmills), Joe Woodin (Morley Windmills), Justin Scarvaci (Shamrock Rovers), John Monterosso (Swan United), Nattapong Narangphunt (Swan United), John Castrilli (coach), Paul Dundo, Trevor Hatton (retired), Steve Cowbrough (Morley Windmills)

They may have had a quiet pre-season but BUNBURY FORUM FORCE appear set for another tilt at the Division One title. Edged out of promotion last year by Bayswater City, Bunbury clearly want to be playing top flight football sooner rather than later and to make that happen have again recruited heavily from abroad. Highly rated goalkeeper Ryan Montgomery has in front of him an imposing line anchored by Jordan Rispon and Oliver McGee, through the middle play Rory Binnie and Ashley Young with fellow newcomer Jon Brooks the target man in attack. Make no mistake - Bunbury have both the depth and quality to go all the way.

In: Jon Brooks (Colne, Eng.), Alex Brownlie (Qld), Evan Chate (Gannon University, USA), Ross Harvey (Dumbarton, Sco.), Oliver McGee (returns from ECU Joondalup), Michael Martin (Kalamunda United), Alex Putrenko (Port Coquitlam Revolution, Can.), Nigel Wilcox (coach), Ashley Young (Hyde FC, Eng.)
Out: Seb Bell (Mandurah City), James Bergin, Andy Cowley, Kieran Kavanagh, Jonathon Krawec, DJ Mayer, Gary Mayers (coach), David Murphy, Patrick Quinn, David Rodgers (retired), Lee Stewart

CANNING CITY are playing for their semi-professional life. In looking for stability following the summer departure of almost their entire senior list coach Mark Woods has largely promoted from with the club, but with such a young and inexperienced line-up it is going to take time for Canning to click. In the interim captain Emyln Whetnall, Greg Newcomb and Mark Trevisiol must have a big influence over goings on along with stars in the making Best West and Ryan Tucker. Come the end of September Canning will have done well if they place outside the bottom two.

In: Martin Donohue (Lynwood United), Kamando Sikazwe (Queens Park), Mark Woods (coach)
Out: Ross Diamond (Armadale), Danny Trevisoil (Floreat Athena), Stuart Delgarno (Forrestfield United), Simon El Chami (Forrestfield United), Graham Herd (Forrestfield United), Scott Patterson (Forrestfield United), Jack Richardson (Mandurah City), Billy Rickman (Mandurah City), Jay Bonser (Rockingham City), Andrew Keary (Rockingham City), Mark Sheehan (Shamrock Rovers), Mark Donnelly (Swan United), Solomon Onyoko (Swan United), Adam Pygrum (Swan United), Billy Russell (coach)

Rookie coach Mario Theodosiades has the difficult task of leading a radically different DIANELLA WHITE EAGLES into 2011. In the past six months last seasons’ entire senior list has moved on with their places taken by a host of youngsters who are by and large unfamiliar to senior football. As they embark on a re-building phase Dianella will lean heavily on the leadership of captain Matt Battigelli and club veteran Dragan Njegic, while Andreas Theodosiades, Simon Barber and Emmanuel Yanga also have key roles to play for a team which is a shadow of its former self. The season will be a successful should Dianella finish outside the bottom four.

In: Rodrigo Aguirre (Bayswater City), Byron Allen (Joondalup United), Matt Battigelli (Ashfield), Hamad Hamad (Sorrento), Anthony Nelson (Floreat Athena), Mario Theodosiades (coach), Blaz Radonovic (Morley Windmills), Ognjen Radonic (Morley Windmills)
Out: Ian Griffiths (Ashfield), Goran Radinovic (Bayswater City), Stefan Smiljanic (Bayswater City), Ravi Kuppusamy (Gosnells City), Brent Mayhew (Gosnells City), Tom Straker (Mandurah City), Steve Grant (Morley Windmills), Callum Roberts (Western Knights), Dale Wingell (Western Knights), Marc Wingell (coach), Paul Hickey, Renato Jelen

Rival teams would be wise not to read too much into FORRESTFIELD UNITED’s flat Night Series campaign. The core of last seasons’ side - Jamie Burns, Jordan Hart, Andy Harold, Matt Harold and Craig Anderson - were used sparingly in pre-season as coach John Hunter experimented with line-ups and formations. Newcomers Stuart Delgarno and Graham Herd have transitioned smoothly into the camp and will be vital in maintaining the club’s superb record at Hartfield Park, where they’ve been beaten just once two years. Forrestfield need to find that same consistency on the road - until that happens they’ll remain just outside the title race.

In: Stuart Degarno (Canning City), Simon El Chami (Canning City), Jacob Fleishmann (IFC LOK Stendal DFB, Ger.), Warren Grieve (Armadale), Graham Herd (Canning City), John Hunter (Armadale), David Kiddie (Eng.), Anthony Lyons (Old Xavs, Eng.), John Nanini (Olympic Kingsway), Scott Patterson (Canning City)
Out: Atekhis Elhousaine (Fremantle Spirit), Kenny Ftynogiannis (Mandurah City), Julio Barrendilla (retired), Richard Carter (retired), Jonothan Cole, Kaan Karacan, Grant Learmont (retired), Geraldo Soto

2011 is going to be a very taxing year for FREMANTLE SPIRIT. The port side managed just four wins last year and some significant off-season losses combined with their failure to ignite in pre-season suggests another winter battling it out in the lower depths of Division One. With the focus again on youth development, coach Allan Pottier will look to captain Angelo Canzurlo, Chris Holland, Mihcael De Souza and Roberto Colalillo for on-field guidance and hope the enthusiasm of Tyrone Fenwick and Cameron Hayes can get them over the line. But at the end of the day Fremantle are going to have to find something special to remain at this level beyond September.

In: Rushian Arendse (Suburbs United), Atekhis Elhousaine (Forrestfield United), Chris Holland (Gosnells City), Lachlan McAlindon (Southern Spirit), Emit QuaQua (Western Knights), Gershom Rowland (Suburbs United), James Wuor (Mandurah City), Friday Zico (Murdoch University), Inno Zico (Brooklands)
Out: Sam Loveless (Bayswater City), Sam Carello (Cockburn City), Victor Dos Santos (Cockburn City), Kurt De Souza (Fremantle United), Andrew Morrow (Fremantle United), Alan Carroll (Shamrock Rovers), Anthony Fearon (Western Knights), Ethan Levitt (Western Knights), Lance Louvie, Matt O'Byrne, Jake Sacco, Anthony Taylor

GOSNELLS CITY are very much the dark horse of the field. The eastern corridor club made great strides last year to claim their best placing in over a decade, and Tony Maguire has tinkered over the off-season to strengthen his playing options. The creativity and drive offered by Andy Pomfret, Brent Mayhew and Ian Maguire should resulted in a bagful of goals for summer recruit Ravi Kuppusamy, while defensively the ship is overseen by Ciaran Allen and Scottish import Graham Tough. Time will tell whether Gosnells climb up another, or slide down a few rungs on the Division One ladder.

In: Juan Cabrera (Queens Park), Will Downes (Queens Park), Alan Dunlop (long-term injury), Amin Hassan (Belmont Villa), Ravi Kuppusamy (Dianella White Eagles), Brent Mayhew (Dianella White Eagles), Dragan Milankovic (Cockburn City), Graham Tough (Kilsyth Rangers, Sco.)
Out: Tom Kennedy (Armadale), Chris Holland (Fremantle Spirit), Salvi Chavez (long-term injury), Scott Devine (retired), Jamie Ellis (retired), Dave Evans, Dane McBride, Raymond McDonald (retired), Chris McGrath

It seems the time is ripe for MORLEY WINDMILLS to finally take a place near the top of the Division One pile. Respected coach Salv Todaro has flexed his recruiting muscle to provide the club with the sort of quality they’ve been lacked for far too long. Mark Walsh and captain Ian McKean will be a steadying influence at the back, the midfield drive comes from Simon Wilson and Andy O’Neill who’ll provided plenty of finishing opportunities for Ryan Frisina. If the pieces all fall into place Morley can go all the way, however, the more realistic expectation this year would be a top three placing.

In: Mitch Castrilli (Ashfield), Alex Cocking (Swan United), Steve Cowbrough (Ashfield / long-term injury), Nick Davies (Ashfield), Ryan Frisina (Bayswater City), Steve Grant (Dianella White Eagles), Leo Harman (Ashfield), Brian McDonald, Ian McKean (Balcatta), Fraser Maguire (Lochwore, Sco.), Andy O'Neill (Balcatta), Luke O'Neill (Balcatta), Jimmy Taneski (Inglewood United), Lee Thomas (Olympic Kingsway), Salv Todaro (coach), Damian Todorovic, Jason Trpevski (Stirling Lions), Mark Walsh (Balcatta), Phil Watson (Bamber Bridge, Eng.), Simon Wilson (Perth SC), Joe Woodin (Ashfield)
Out: Ibnen Charming (Ashfield), Aaron Moschopolous (Ashfield), Ognjen Radonic (Dianella White Eagles), Alan O'Mahoney (Shamrock Rovers), David Sinclair (Shamrock Rovers), Blaz Radonovic (Dianella White Eagles), Steve Larkin (Ire.), Eddie Walsh (Ire.), Tony Griffiths (Ire.), Matt Darling, Diego Van Der Ross, Josh Pirone, Sime Lozic, Ben Rowbotham, Darius Dweh, Henry Freeman, Maiden Yimer

Things are ticking along quite nicely as ROCKINGHAM CITY prepares to put behind them a tumultuous twelve months. Coach Steve Robinson has lured back to the club several players who walked out either last year or the one before that, and early indications are they’ll finally start edging up the table. The biggest improvement has been defensively where Craig Olenjik is partnered with captain Jay Bonser and James Hesketh to help stem the flow of goals against, while Stuart Carlisle, Andrew Keary and Adam McLeod will be crucial in the quest for goals. Somewhere in lower to mid-table seems to suit Rockingham.

In: Jay Bonser (Canning City), Stuart Carlisle (Plungington Celtic, Eng.), David Clark (Rockingham City Amateurs), James Hesketh (Mandurah City), Andrew Keary (Canning City), Adam McLeod, Danny Macklin (Mandurah City), Fraser Marr (Rockingham City Amateurs), Neil Muckles (Armadale), Tristan Scott (UWA-Nedlands), Craig Thompson (Cockburn City), Craig Tone (Mervue United, Ire.)
Out: Tim Smith (Mandurah City), Adam Bremner, Terry Flynn, Luka Ivancic, Matt Leckenby, Luke Rennie, Sam Salisbury, Josh Senior, Ryan Stewart, Michael Vaz (retired)

Sunday League powerhouse SHAMROCK ROVERS will make a lasting impression in their much anticipated State League debut. Coach Paul McCue has retained the bulk of last year’s championship winning side and through a selective recruitment program has added depth for the coming campaign. John Keary is the pick of the recruits, Eamon Barnes looked solid between the posts in pre-season and between them stand loyal servants Paudie O’Connor, Gavin Mooney, Nick Carroll and captain Robbie Fanning. Shamrock are defensively sound and have very problems sticking the ball in the back of the net - top four.

In: Eamonn Barnes (Tweed Valley Kings, Qld.), Alan Carroll (Fremantle Spirit), Brian Foley (Lynwood United), John Kearney (Waterford United, Ire.), Daniel McCurdy (Queens Park), Barry Mulligan (Drumbar United, Ire.), David Murphy (Killarney Athletic, Ire.), Alan O'Mahoney (Morley Windmills), Justin Scarvaci (Ashfield), Mark Sheehan (Canning City), Ian Stack (UWA-Nedlands), David Sinclair (Morley Windmills)
Out: Steven Roche (Kingsway Olympic), James Kilbee, Owen Little (NSW)

The season could go either way for SWAN UNITED, who are back in Division One for the first time in over a decade. For his first year at the helm John O’Reilly has assembled a competitive line-up in which loyal servants Rob Monterosso, Rory Mouttet and Tom Shepheard rub shoulders with new arrivals Adam Pygrum and Scott Campbell. However, the black and whites have always had a tendency to leak goals, their home record has never been that flash and some depth issues is also going to cause problems. The black and whites won’t feature in the title race, nor will they contend relegation.

In: Chris Atkinson (Norton and Stockton Ancients, Eng.), Scott Campbell, Aaron Colli (Inglewood United), Matt De Barro (Balcatta), Mark Donnelly (Canning City), Jason Feather (Queens Park), Nick Lowe (Wanneroo City), John Monterosso (Ashfield), Nattapong Narangphunt (Ashfield), Solomon Onyoko (Canning City), Adam Pygrum (Canning City), Craig Tooley (Olympic Kingsway)
Out: Liam Boland (Floreat Athena), Brendan Craig (Inglewood United), David McNally (Inglewood United), Alex Cocking (Morley Windmills), Cory Hugo (Stirling Lions), Michael Van Dongen (Floreat Athena), James Sammut (Inglewood United), Morgan Dendle, Cory Hugo (Stirling Lions), Brendan Knox

There is little doubt WANNEROO CITY will be very close to the top of the table come seasons end. In retaining the bulk of last seasons’ players and bringing in a few choice recruits Gerry McEwan has once again delivered a squad of great talent and depth. Team captain Brian Cairney, Craig Bowman and Guy McDonald complement each other nicely in the attacking half while at the other end its season campaigner Glen Moore and goalkeeper Daniel Holgate that stand out. Wanneroo are firmly entrenched as one of Division One’s top side and with a little more application, particularly on home soil, they might just gain promotion this year.

In: Dave Ashworth (Olympic Kingsway), Michael Clarke, James Monks, Darren Quinncroft, Joe Stocker (Subiaco AFC)
Out: Craig Highet (Ashfield), Nathan Diaz (Bayswater City), Jimmy Rowlands (Sorrento), Nick Lowe (Swan United), Mitchell Allen, Ahmed Hafez, Tom Lawrence, Jonathon McGahern (Eng.), Rowdy Yates (Eng.)

footballwa.net Predictions

Sunday League Premier Division

The Sunday League Premier Division looks set to have another interesting season this year. 2010 Champions Shamrock Rovers gained promotion to the State League, with Queens Park going the other way. Coming up to the Premier Division is South Perth United and Whitford City. There is no automatic promotion to the champion club this season, however with Football West set to form a new State League Second Division by application in 2012, at least five current Sunday Premier Division have indicated a move into the Saturday competition.

The race for the championship will more than likely be between Kingsway Olympic, UWA-Nedlands FC and Southern Spirit. Olympic just missed out on the title and promotion to the State League by four points last season, and the no nonsense approach of new coach Stuart Currie should bring the best out of his players. UWA-Nedlands FC have had a good pre-season which included a win in the State Cup against Bunbury Forum Force, and should be strong enough to challenge Olympic for the title. Southern Spirit will also consider themselves a strong prospect in 2012. After a fight against relegation last year, Spirit has added to it's existing squad and signed Rob Pagnoni as their new senior coach. Pagnoni has brought in quality players, which include Alan Karaselimovic (Fremantle United), Felim Rugal (Kingsway Olympic), Matty Favazzo (Fremantle United), Glen Sheldon (Fremantle United), Dulio Savio (Stirling Panthers) and Arturo Schmiedgen (Fremantle Croatia).

Melville City, Whitford City and Joondalup United should finish in the top half of the table. Joondalup have lost their coach Bill Byrne plus key influential players Gavin Knight and Larry Miller to Bayswater City and have lost key defenders to work commitments. The recovery of Lee Jones will be crucial after his unfortunate car accident but could be several weeks away yet from full fitness. The club will be looking to experience of Gary Andrews in midfield and that the new recruits settle in quickly if they have any chance of reaching their lofty heights of 2010.

Spearwood Dalmatinac, Subiaco AFC and Fremantle Croatia will be hoping for a mid-table finish, while newly promoted South Perth United will consider 2011 to be a good season if they can stay away from the bottom two. Belmont Villa have lost up to five players over the summer. They were invited into the State League First Night Series, but had a terrible competition, not winning a single game. New players have joined Villa, but they will need to gel as a team quickly if they want to get early results. Queens Park are back into the Amateurs after a five year absence, and it doesn't look good for the southern suburbs outfit. The club have lost most of their playing group after their relegation, but need not to worry about going down again, as Queens Park are certain to apply to the new Saturday Second Division in 2012.

Final Table Prediction

 1 Kingsway Olympic
 2 UWA-Nedlands FC
 3 Southern Spirit
 4 Melville City
 5 Whitford City
 6 Joondalup United
 7 Spearwood Dalmatinac
 8 Subiaco AFC
 9 Fremantle Croatia
10 South Perth United
11 Belmont Villa
12 Queens Park

Sunday League First Division

The Sunday League First Division is expected to be a tight affair in 2011, with a number of clubs looking like title contenders. With the expansion of the State League in 2012, the knock-on effect could mean that as many as six clubs could find themselves promoted into the Sunday League Premier Division next year.

Hamersley Rovers, relegated Stirling Panthers and North Perth United are the early favourites, while Kelmscott Roos should be close behind.

Relegated Fremantle United have lost a number of players to Southern Spirit, but do have the capacity to bring young quality players into their team, anything but a top half finish will be a failure for the black and whites. After spending the past four seasons in First Division mid-table mediocrity, Gwelup Croatia has turned to new coach Rodney Njirich as it aims for promotion to the Sunday League Premier Division for the first time in its 24-year history. Strong pre-season form and some key position acquisitions in the off-season coupled with the regaining of virtually last season's entire squad has the lakeside club in good stead for the tough season that lies ahead. Gwelup have the potential to finish in the top four, but with six teams likely to be promoted, they would be disappointed if they were to miss out on a top half finish.

CN Canning International, BB United and International Calcio will be looking for a mid-table finish. Kingsley are a team that should have done better in their previous two seasons, and could well finish much higher in 2011, however going by recent years another bottom half finish beckons. North Lake have had the quality to earn promotion in 2009 and 2010, but their has been suggestions that they have had lost many of their players over the summer, while Ballajura have also lost some of their key personal, and could well finish bottom of the league.

Final Table Prediction

 1 Hamersley Rovers
 2 Stirling Panthers
 3 North Perth United
 4 Kelmscott Roos
 5 Fremantle United
 6 Gwelup Croatia
 7 CN Canning International
 8 BB United
 9 International Calcio
10 Kingsley
11 North Lake
12 Ballajura

Sunday League Second Division

Final Table Prediction

 1 Joondalup City
 2 Floreat Athena Amateurs
 3 Kingsway Olympic "B"
 4 Curtin University 
 5 Kwinana United
 6 Lynwood United
 7 Perth Royals 
 8 Armadale Amateurs
 9 Suburbs United
10 Golden Lily 
11 WA Maccabi
12 North Beach

Sunday League Third Division

Final Table Prediction

 1 Quinns FC 
 2 Maddington Eagles
 3 Beldon Thistle 
 4 UWA-Nedlands FC "B"
 5 Kalamunda United
 6 Balga
 7 Wembley Downs
 8 Rockingham City Amateurs
 9 Fremantle Colo Colo
10 Port Kennedy 
11 Subiaco AFC "B"
12 Kingsway Olympic "C"

Sunday League Fourth Division

Final Table Prediction

 1 Carramar Cougars 
 2 La Fiamma 
 3 Swan United
 4 Perth Hills United
 5 Leeming Strikers 
 6 Quinns FC "B"
 7 Gosnells City Amateurs
 8 Canning City Amateurs
 9 Bassendean Caledonian 
10 Subiaco AFC "C"
11 Morley City
12 Stirling Lions Amateurs

Sunday League Fifth Division

Final Table Prediction

 1 Warnbro Strikers 
 2 Jaguar FC
 3 Sutherlands Park 
 4 Cracovia White Eagles
 5 UWA-Nedlands FC "C"
 6 Curtin University "B"
 7 Hamersley Rovers "B"
 8 South Perth United "B"
 9 Melville City "B"
10 Perth Royals "B"
11 Forrestfield United Amateurs
12 Fraser Park 

Sunday League Sixth Division

Final Table Prediction

 1 Joondalup City "B"
 2 Vic Park Rovers 
 3 Ahly Perth FC 
 4 Floreat United
 5 Belmont Villa "B"

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This page was last updated on the 12th April, 2011