Broome City have undergone a management restructure this season with last season's captain Jon Gallichan sharing the load with new co-captain Tim Mildenhall. Both men have arguably the most explosive team in the league, with firebrand Bill Shaw signing up for another season. Also nabbing Julia Marley from Pearl Coast Pirates, the Blues have shown they are not afraid to raid rival clubs to fuel their ambitions. City are also the only team to have someone called "Tiger" on their team...Rawr!
SQUAD: Jon Gallichan (c), Tim Mildenhall (c), Mark Cowell, Jamie Lane, Jeremy Witts, Eanna McGovern, Colm O’Brien, Julia Marley, Cindy Watterson, Stephen Shaw, Bill Shaw, Musekiwa John, Andrew (Tiger)
Hagan's Heroes look to be the team to beat. New captain Chris Stainton has inherited a steady team peppered with a few class recruits should see the Heroes mounting a challenge again this season. The perpetual runners-up (they have finished twice in both seasons so far) have maintained the bulk of their squad, and with the plucky Mike Doyle looking especially fired up so far, they should have what it takes to control the midfield and put together some excellent passages of play. How they will go at the back remains a mystery, as longtime Hero defender Gary Thayer has retired and has not been replaced.
SQUAD: Chris Stainton (c), Karen Salkilld, Brett Salkilld, Monique Kelly, Marc Brooker, Mike Dawson, Ryan Winfield, Mike Doyle, Matt Cullen, Mike Dawson, Andy Graffen
Pearl Coast Pirates are another team who have a new look squad this year. New captain Richard Brunger has engaged in an aggressive recruitment campaign which has netted some players of individual brilliance. Northern Irishman Phil Sheridan embodies this talented era, but it remains to be seen whether or not Brunger and vice-captain Ronny Venter can gel the squad together into a title chellenger. The Pirates have also opted to include youth players in their squad, with Emmanuel Navarette and Joe Italiano looking particularly impressive.
SQUAD: Richard Brunger (c), Ronald Venter (vc), Jared Venter, Jay Mashman, Paul Roach, Gareth Jones, Phil Sheridan, Paul Hedlan, Matt Sheridan, Emmanuel Navarrete, Joe Italiano, Sasho Jovanosky
Racing Guantanamo AFC have had a relativley low-key off season, with the ever improving Mighty Oranges maintaining the majority of their squad, while adding some class recruits such as Michael Strappa and Drasko Jankovic. Guantanamo have also shown their ambition by stealing Gareth Vickery from under the noses of both Broome City and Pearl Coast Pirates. Injury concerns have not abated however with long term injuries to Tim Gray and legendary goalkeeper Francois Kruger particularly worrying. However, captain Andy Smyth has Guantanamo playing free-flowing football this year, and with the ironclad midfield of Joe Tighe and Martin Kessler, the Mighty Orange fans are looking forward to a great season ahead.
SQUAD: Andy Smyth (c), Chris Hingston, Danny Pinchas, Andy Chapman, Gareth Vickery, Drasko Jankovic, Michael Strappa, Terry Ragoonanan, Martin Kessler, Joe Tighe, Kath Dabrowska, Ryan Platten, Francois Kruger, Joel Hamling, Kane Fitzpatrick, Luke Turner, Jon Falconer
NDFC are last year's champions, and they already realise the tough task they have to hold onto their crown this season. The champs have gone for a youth policy this season with 6 of their squad under the age of 18. New captain Sam Reid has the biggest name in Broome Soccer Jimmy Asimacopolous at his displosal and he has the ability to get NDFC hitting their straps early. Asimacoplolous will be ably supported by longtime Blue-and-Whites JJ Murray and Steve Boniwell. If NDFC can replicate their form from last season, they will be hard to beat, but with such a large turnover in players, and the increased quality of their opposition, they will have a tough time on their hands to retain their title.
SQUAD: Sam Reid (c), Steve Boniwell, Jimmy Asimacopoulos, Selwyn Taylor, Troy Hunter, Thank U-Ten, Peter Tribe, Thomas Offer, Nicholas Anear, Jeremy Anear, Tom Hartland
This should be a great season. What are your thoughts? Leave your comments.
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