From impressive wins, new grounds, and successful signings, Front Page Football's Antonis Pagonis takes stock of the opening weeks of the 2025 NPL SA season.
Arbi Mollas has been one of the new signings that have stood out for MetroStars in the opening weeks of the NPL SA season. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Comets are home and looking good
2025 would always be a year of change for the Adelaide Comets, but the question was always how the club would look at the other end of that process. From a new home ground, mainstays departing, and a new coach, there were a lot of questions to answer as season 2025 kicked off.
Round 1 pitted the Comets against fellow contenders Modbury Jets, and despite falling a goal behind away from home, a quick-fire Aladin Irabona brace and a late Jayden LoBasso sealer opened the season with an impressive win. This victory set up a blockbuster opening against Adelaide United for the club's first game at Ellis Park.
Opening a new facility is always an exciting proposition. Still, when the day comes, you want to be successful on the pitch. An even game seemed to be heading for a scoreless draw until a late foul allowed LoBasso to go to the penalty spot and fire himself into the history books as the ground's first goalscorer, with the Comets going two from two to start the season.
The Adelaide Comets' starting team in their first game at Ellis Park. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
Metro's intelligent recruitment continues
After falling one step short in their search for a championship in 2024, MetroStars would always leave no stone unturned when preparing for season 2025. Danny Graystone added Nicole Calder to his coaching staff from the outset, and many on-field additions followed that move.
The brightest signing so far has to be Tom Visser. He has been a vital cog in the side's first two wins of the season, tormenting his opposite full-backs on the wing. Owen Windsor's signing allowed the MetroStars to continue playing their style, matching the frames and abilities of James Temelkovski and Ren Nagamatsu, who came before him.
Meanwhile, Arbi Mollas has seamlessly fit into the midfield while covering for Cameron Woodfin. Jake Porter has provided energy from the bench, which he hopes to supplement with goals soon. These and other moves look to create a deeper squad that a side like MetroStars will likely require as they seek silverware.
Playford's statement and Para Hills' concern
Playford and Para Hills entered their first Northern Derby of the season in Round 2, disappointed for contrasting reasons after Round 1. The Patriots scored their first goal back in the NPL against Croydon but were defeated, while the Knights squandered a three-goal lead to draw with West Torrens Birkalla.
To say there was only one team in this match would be an understatement. Within 15 minutes, Playford was three goals up, and Para Hills had made two substitutions. By half-time, it was 6-0. When the full-time whistle went, Playford had eight goals.
Daniel Ryan and Isaac Mullen each scored hat-tricks, and Santiago Tabares a brace, sealing the club's biggest-ever top-division win. Meanwhile, Para Hills scored a consolation goal through Abu Hussein.
A smashing victory will kick-start life in the top division for Playford, with any team that faces them undoubtedly taking note of their impressive firepower. A dejected Para Hills side now has some soul-searching to do after a difficult start to the new season.
Daniel Ryan celebrates sealing a late hat-trick against Para Hills Knights. (Image: Pagonis Photography)
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Croatia silence rivals
After years of avoiding each other, Adelaide Croatia Raiders and FK Beograd resumed hostilities in 2024. While a much-welcomed air of respect was evident pre- and post-game in their two encounters, the 90 minutes told a different story, with hostile home crowds driving their respective sides to victory in both games.
With both teams coming into Round 2 off losses, FK Beograd had the advantage of playing in front of their home crowd when the two sides first faced off in 2025. A fast start by the hosts did not prove fruitful on the scoreboard, and a clinical Anthony Costa finish from close range gave the visitors the lead.
Costa was given too much time and space late in the first half, which allowed Croatia to double their lead and stun the home crowd into silence. Beograd huffed and puffed to begin the second half, but Raiders found the sealer, this time through Jai King.
Lorenzo Boselli scored his first goal for Beograd, but it was not enough, as Croatia took home an impressive win. Coach Vlado Blazeka will hope that win is the fuel his side needs to kick-start its season.
Campbelltown's slow start
Campbelltown City's new era has not started as they would have hoped. The Red Devils lost a tight opening home match against rivals MetroStars, who found a clinical edge late in the second half.
Looking for his first win as the Red Devils' senior coach, Daniel Mullen and his side visited Jack Smith Park and the newly promoted West Torrens Birkalla in Round 2. After fighting back from three goals down to claim a draw in the opening round, Birks was up for the fight against the quality of Campbelltown and drew their second six-goal thriller in as many weeks.
Unfortunately for Campbelltown, these results leave them with a solitary point after two rounds, with the red-hot Playford City visiting Newton in Round 3. It is undoubtedly not a panic station yet for Campbelltown, though, with many players still missing and the quality in their ranks certainly able to turn this tough start around.
Conway's stunning start
West Torrens Birkalla claimed many off-season headlines due to their transfer activity. After being largely inactive during their last promotion to the NPL SA, Chairman Amin Ayoubi would never make the same mistake.
The big news was the signings of Adelaide Comets mainstays, such as Allan Welsh, Nathan Andijanto, Adam LeCornu, and Ryan Yates. While those four players were sure to add quality to Birks' ranks, the signing of former Adelaide United striker George Blackwood was the cherry on top.
The signing of South Adelaide's Tyreece Conway went more under the radar. But after Round 1, he was the talk of the NPL SA after scoring a second-half hat-trick to pull his side back from three goals down against Para Hills Knights to earn a draw.
He continued justifying his side's faith in him by scoring his fourth goal of the season the following week against Campbelltown City.
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