At the midway point of the 2017 NPL Victoria season it would – except for the bottom two – have to be one of the closest run races in recent memory, with just 10 points separating the top 12. The ladder lead keeps chopping and changing, and each week there’s a different club either linked with the top six or nearing the relegation zone.
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Avondale FC (2nd)
The good: Continue to get better each season and grow in stature in Victorian football’s hierarchy. Pushing for top spot with a strong and more balanced squad than previously. Have been difficult to break down with only nine goals conceded, equal best in the league.
The not so good: Haven’t scored as many as the other top sides, in fact they have the third lowest goal tally in the league, only above North Geelong and St Albans. Therefore they haven’t always killed off teams, which has come back to bite them (e.g most recently against Port Melbourne) via dropped points.
Key players: Massimo Murdocca, Jonatan Germano, Chris Oldfield
Grade: A
Bentleigh Greens (4th)
The good: Still able to strike fear in their opposition and claim important wins to keep them near the top of the table. A formidable unit and it’s difficult to write them off even when they seem out of form. Matt Thurtell has kept the goals ticking over.
The not so good: Cracks in the armour that haven’t been there in previous years. When they’ve lost games they’ve conceded three each time. Defensively have looked short in depth when dealing with injuries and suspensions. Chris Lucas’ long-term injury has also been unwelcome at the other end of the pitch.
Key players: Matt Thurtell, Tyson Holmes, Troy Ruthven
Grade: B
Bulleen Lions (11th)
The good: Would have to be one of the youngest XI’s on paper and Aaron Healey has done well with a squad many had tipped to struggle early given the exodus of experienced players after 2016. A solid start to the campaign plus a run of three wins in April has the Lions away from the relegation zone – just. Lewis Italiano has been a big acquisition.
The not so good: A bit of inexperience has seen some good performances not rewarded with three points due to lack of concentration at times leading to untimely conceded goals. Some games have just been out of their grasp to compete against the league’s top sides.
Key players: Luke Gallo, Jordan Templin, Will Abbott
Grade: C+
Green Gully (3rd)
The good: Good developments on and off the park with pitch-work done and a strong coaching assembly. On that note the squad has adapted seamlessly to both Arthur Papas and Brian Vanega at the helm. A strong front third all capable of scoring plenty – 10 squad players have scored this season – sees Gully with the highest goal tally in the league.
The not so good: While they have the best scoring record they also one of the worst defensive records, conceding 22 (compare that to the nine of Heidelberg and Avondale), which is only slightly better than the bottom few sides. Not helped by injuries to Brindell-South, Richardson at the back.
Key players: Nick Krousoratis, Jay Davies, Alex Caniglia
Grade: B+
Hume City (6th)
The good: A run of 1-0 wins in late March/early April where the side had seemingly ironed out its defensive issues and looked a difficult unit to break down. James McGarry has been an excellent acquisition. Once again a serious proposition in league and cup competitions.
The not so good: Plenty of turnover for 2017 means the side hasn’t always looked coherent. And besides Liam Boland, there hasn’t been a regular scoring option. Dropping cheap points has also kept them away from the cream of the crop.
Key players: James McGarry, Nick Hegarty, Liam Boland
Grade: C+
Heidelberg United (1st)
The good: It’s difficult to argue against a team in top spot with a game in hand, and the best goal difference (helped by that North Geelong game) led by Sean Ellis and Kenny Athiu. The Bergers consistently produce results even when not at their best. This no doubt has been aided by the continuity amongst the squad with little turnover, and depth around the park. They also boast the equal best defensive record – nine in 12 games.
The not so good: Olympic Village hasn’t always been a fortress. Lost to Avondale and dropped points against St Albans. That early patch was a time when the Bergers struggled to score freely
Key players: Luke Byles, Sean Ellis, Kenny Athiu
Grade: A
Kingston City (10th)
The good: The best performing of the promoted clubs, Kingston have enjoyed for the most part their Monday night home games, getting plenty of points at the Grange. Damian Iaconis has had a breakthrough campaign in the top tier and Nick Tolios’ side have been genuinely entertaining.
The not so good: The ladder has been so cluttered that just a few bad results – especially from winning positions, sometimes being their own worst enemies defensively – puts them back in the half-relegation mix. Such is the harsh reality of top-flight football. Injuries have also started to mount with Bennett, Yalaz, Love all big losses throughout the campaign. Plus the unfortunate departure of Sean McIlroy.
Key players: Damian Iaconis, Faisal Sakhizada, Mouad Zwed
Grade: C+
Melbourne Knights (12th)
The good: Early on the Knights had some promising results, defeating Bentleigh away and thrashing Port Melbourne at home. The talent of new recruit Elvis Kamsoba has been a particular shining light. Still half a season left to turn around their slump.
The not so good: The seven-game winless run which has put the Knights in relegation danger that cost Andrew Marth and Frank Juric their jobs has been the obvious lowlight. This hasn’t been helped by injuries (Patrick Gerhardt hasn’t featured at all) and suspensions, but one can trace this decline to the drop-off at the end of 2016, followed by a fairly big exodus of quality players.
Key players: Elvis Kamsoba, Ben Surey, Jason Hicks
Grade: D
North Geelong Warriors (13th)
The good: Apart from the 8-0 thrashing by Heidelberg, North Geelong have been generally competitive, drawing nearly half their games. There’s still fight left in them in search of that elusive victory.
The not so good: Still the only team to win a game. Goals haven’t been easy to come by, but the Warriors also have conceded the most goals in the league. Then come the usual difficulties that come with being more regionally based than top-flight counterparts.
Key players: Matthew Townley, Marko Stevanja, Matthew Thorne
Grade: E
Oakleigh Cannons (7th)
The good: A strong recent run of form that has been reminiscent of 2016, including plenty of goals from the likes of Bosnjak, Zoric, Piemonte, plus the return of Adrian Chiapetta to the backline. Back in finals contention, hovering around the top six with the second best goal difference in the league.
The not so good: An awful string of results early that saw them drop points to the likes of St Albans and North Geelong and a backline that kept chopping and changing due to injuries (though Oakleigh haven’t actually conceded many). Up top, a prolific #9 presence has been lacking, with Nate Foster unable to net an elusive goal.
Key players: Dusan Bosnjak, Dean Piemonte, John Honos
Grade: B
Pascoe Vale (8th)
The good: The early part of the season that had the side in the top two and looking untouchable, a big contrast to the start of 2016. Davey van ‘t Schip continues to be in inspired form and leading the golden boot race. A seemingly tight-knit unit as usual under Vitale Ferrante.
The not so good: A tale of two halves to the first half of the season. What goes up seemingly has gone down for Pascoe Vale, winless in the last seven and just nothing at the moment producing the three points. Momentum has just not gone their way of late.
Some key players: Davey van ‘t Schip, Joseph Youssef, Tomislav Milardovic
Grade: B
Port Melbourne Sharks (9th)
The good: Two massive wins over South Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens highlighted what Port Melbourne are capable of with some exceptional talent in the squad. Also have able to salvage a draw from a losing position – against the likes of Pascoe Vale, Kingston, Avondale.
The not so good: Big turnover as well means the XI hasn’t always been consistent. Dropped points too often to keep up with the top six, with there being too big a gap between their best and their worst performances.
Key players: Francesco Stella, Andreas Govas, Michael McGowan
Grade: C+
St Albans Saints (14th)
The good: Well, one win on the board. And there’s still quality in the side which, if it all comes together, is capable of producing results.
The not so good: Injuries have plagued the side, with little continuity in the side’s XI. It’s been a struggle to find the back of the net – e.g Jean Carlos Solorzano yet to score – with St Albans the only side not to hit double figures yet in the season. Also Churchill Reserve hasn’t the desired fortress for Dinamo.
Key players: Ryan McGuffie, Matt Cundari, Joey Monek
Grade: E
South Melbourne (5th)
The good: The resurgence, led by the strong backline of Roganovic, Mala, Eagar, Adams, Norton. Back in finals contention with teams slipping up around them. Once they’ve returned home, Lakeside has been a real fortress. A hallmark of Chris Taylor’s side has been its ability to bounce back when going through a rough patch. Just three points off top.
The not so good: The start to the season, which, due to a combination of no access to home base at Lakeside plus injuries and suspensions saw the side in rotten form, Milos Lujic looking isolated up front, and the side languishing near relegation. Not helped by the A-League bid distractions at the time, either.
Key players: Michael Eagar, Nick Epifano, Nikola Roganovic
Grade: B