FPF's NPL SA 2026 preview
- Antonis Pagonis
- Feb 25
- 12 min read
Updated: Feb 26
As the 2026 NPL SA season kicks off, Front Page Football previews where every team stands as they embark on the new campaign.
The 2026 NPL SA season kicks off on Friday, February 27.
Will renewed opposition keep MetroStars sharp when it matters most?
It was a painfully familiar story for MetroStars in 2025. A dominant league season, including a Federation Cup win and an Australia Cup run, fell one step short in a Grand Final loss against Croydon FC. Unlike previous campaigns, the 2025 Premiers had no time to feel sorry for themselves, as they had to regroup swiftly for an Australian Championship campaign.
An absence of form combined with a bad injury run to produce a nightmare start to Metro’s Championship campaign, but the intense competition almost sharpened the focus of Danny Graystone’s side, who overcame the odds to qualify for the Quarter Finals of the competition. The fact that MetroStars shaped up under the pressure of their new environment may suggest that the off-season moves of rivals such as Crodyon FC, Adelaide City, and Campbelltown City may be a blessing in disguise for the Klemzig-based club.
Graystone’s side lost top-scorer Owen Windsor on the eve of the Australian Championship, as well as Lachlan Barr and Fabian Barbiero in pre-season, but has only added to its ranks since. Donatien Niyonkuru, Jesse Francesca, Vincent Barbaro, Noah Blazeka, interstate fullback Samuel Vizzy and international signing Rentaro Miyakawa join former Croydon forward Andre Carle, who notably scored his last goal for Polonia in the dying moments of the Grand Final to snatch the Championship away from his new club. Alongside the new additions, Metro are also set to regain the likes of Nicholas Pedicini, Arbi Molla, and Cam Woodfin from long-term injuries throughout the 2026 campaign.
MetroStars will once again be one of the competition’s pace-setters. They will be hoping that increased competition across the league, alongside a small refresh of the playing group, drives them to find the cutting edge to claim their first NPL SA Championship since 2012.
MetroStars celebrate winning the 2025 Federation Cup.
How will Croydon transition from the hunters to the hunted?
Croydon FC entered season 2025 under the radar. Incoming head coach George Tsonis was tasked with returning the talented but inconsistent Polonia to the Finals Series after multiple close misses in previous campaigns.
Tsonis delivered in spades in the regular season, guiding his side to a third-place finish, but entering the Finals Series, the general consensus around the league was that the Grand Final would more than likely feature MetroStars and Adelaide City. Croydon flipped that script, comprehensively dismantling West Torrens Birkalla in the first week of the Finals Series, before shocking Adelaide City in the lottery that is a penalty shootout after the teams could not be separated in their two-legged Semi-Final. The underdog story peaked in the Grand Final, when Croydon returned to local football’s pantheon after upsetting MetroStars.
With silverware in their cabinet, Croydon will no longer be a sideshow to Championship conversations. They may have lost their two Grand Final scorers in Meiya Hisamoto and Andre Carle, but have added quality in the likes of Oliver Trimboli, Yuya Kato, Cameron O’Doherty, and Freddie Muller.
Opponents will be primed to face the reigning champions, and while a change in mentality will be required for Croydon, getting past a formidable defensive unit, including the likes of Daniel Margush, James Polli, Bol Mapor, Chris Vivian and Lukasz Klimek, who Adam Martinello will often shield, is going to be a tall task for any side in the league daring to unseed them.
Croydon FC lift the 2025 NPL SA Championship.
Can Adelaide City’s star-studded lineup end Metro’s chokehold?
If MetroStars’ recent dominance was going to hurt any club the most, it would be Adelaide City. Only a five-minute drive separates the two Italian clubs, but in recent times, MetroStars have encroached on City’s historical territory, both at the top of the table and on the national stage, qualifying for both the Australia Cup and the Australian Championship to represent South Australia.
Missing out on a stage that they historically belong in, combined with a Semi-Final exit at the hands of Croydon, seemingly was the last straw for Adelaide City. After a strong first year in charge, which saw him guide City to a second-place finish, Vas Parhas has been fully backed by his club. His side will possess the league's most dangerous attacking threat, with the incoming additions of Dom Costanzo from APIA Leichardt and Asad Kasumovic from Oakleigh Cannons.
The additions of Giorgio Parhas and Francesco Schimizzi, alongside the returns of Bradley Corbo and Cosmo Groff, ensure that Adelaide City are not just a team with star power, but with depth. The expectation is clear: silverware and a return to the national stage.
Their competition will be staunch, but Adelaide City are fully equipped to spice up the regular season once again and return to a stage that any fan in Oakden will not miss the opportunity to tell you that they belong in.
Dom Costanzo (left) playing for Adelaide City in pre-season against Campbelltown City.
Can Beograd replicate and maintain last year’s early form?
FK Beograd were one of the big surprises of the first half of 2025. After a sluggish start, it all seemed to click for Adrian D’Aloia in his second year in charge, with his side looking almost irresistible at times, beating the league leaders, MetroStars, while also comprehensively dismantling rivals Adelaide Croatia away from home, in their ascent to second on the ladder.
As the season progressed, Beograd’s form started tailing off slightly, and a loss to Adelaide Croatia in the Federation Cup Semi-Final dealt a heavy blow to morale. Beograd ended up finishing the season in fourth, celebrating the fact that they returned to the Finals Series for the first time since their promotion, but ended their campaign with a bitter taste in their mouth after being unable to claw back Adelaide United’s lead in their final, despite their visitors going down to nine men.
While season 2025 feels like a “what could have been” campaign in hindsight, D’Aloia’s side would also be motivated knowing what their ceiling looks like when they are on song. The additions of Alex Woodlands, Marco Torriani, Brandon Centofanti, Abu Hussein, and Daniel Atkinson strengthen Beograd all over the ground and complement an already solid core of players such as the Konstandopoulos brothers, Andoni Natsiopoulos, Antoni Trimboli, Froibert Niyonkuru, Cooper Nunn, and Massimo Falco, who are in conversations as some of the best players in the league in their respective positions.
Antoni Trimboli celebrates a goal away at rivals Adelaide Croatia Raiders in 2025.
How will Adelaide United’s transition year fare?
Isn’t it always a transition year for a development program like Adelaide United? Well, yes, but this year’s transition moves beyond the pitch and onto the bench. A new era begins for the developmental conveyor belt of South Australian talent, with NTC coach Paul Vanis taking the reins of the Young Reds’ NPL program, assisted by former Adelaide United player Javi Lopez.
While the duo settle into their all-important roles, the inevitable challenge of playing an, albeit extremely talented, squad of teenagers in a senior competition will arise.
As the A-League branch of Adelaide United has become even more reliant on its NPL talent, the balance of who will play in the local competition and, more importantly, in what frame of mind they will be once the referee's whistle blows, will be in constant flux.
What Vanis does have in his arsenal is knowledge of the next crop of young players set to make their senior NPL debuts, having coached them at the NTC level in previous years. As transitions to the A-League become even more frequent and players drop back for form and minutes, striking the balance between talent, experience, and cohesion will be Vanis’ challenge in the pursuit of on-field success.
Depending on who plays, Adelaide United’s floor and ceiling wildly fluctuate. Having reached the Finals Series in the last three seasons, that is where the Young Reds’ aspirations lie, but securing their position as solid performers in the league, despite the chaos the developmental system can create, should be the new-look coaching staff's first goal.
Paul Vanis (right) takes charge of the Adelaide United NPL program in 2026, assisted by Javi Lopez (left).
Can West Torrens Birkalla build on a solid first year?
The 2025 season was an important one for West Torrens Birkalla. After being relegated in their first year back in the NPL in 2022, Stav Gelekis was tasked with ensuring that history does not repeat itself after gaining promotion in his first year at Birks.
In the lead-up to the 2025 campaign, Birkalla strengthened by adding seasoned NPL players to its ranks, including Nathan Andjiano, Adam Le Cornu, Alan Welsh, Ryan Yates, and Tyreece Conway, alongside the headline signing of former A-League player George Blackwood. The goal of consolidation was achieved comfortably, with Gelekis’ men even snatching the final top-six spot up for grabs in the last matchday.
Birks were convincingly beaten by eventual Champions Croydon in their final, but could still celebrate a successful first year back in the NPL. In 2026, Birkalla will want to go one step further, and additions such as Kane Vidmar, Jared Clark, and talented youngster Zakaria Abdullahi show that intention. In the final third, the return of Tzoi Tsarkani, who played a pivotal role in the team’s promotion in 2024, is sure to add another layer to the firepower at Jack Smith Park.
West Torrens Birkalla enjoyed a positive first year back in the NPL in 2025.
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How will Campbelltown City rebound after a disappointing campaign?
You would forgive most clubs for entering seasons in the NPL SA only thinking about five Finals Series spots they can claim, because Campbelltown City seemingly always has its hands on one of the six. That fact changed in 2025, with the Red Devils falling just one point short of the stage they have been synonymous with for well over a decade.
It was a transitional year for Campbelltown City, with coach Michael Matricciani moving to Melbourne City’s A-League Women program, and Daniel Mullen calling time on his decorated career to take the top job. A slow start, combined with mixed luck in recruiting, eventually proved costly. Missing out on the top six left a sour taste in the mouths of the Newton locals, and they hit the market hard in the off-season in a bid to bounce back.
Adelaide City’s interstate captures may have stolen the headlines, but Campbelltown have secured the signatures of four of the competition’s premier players, with Dan Vaughan and Jayden LoBasso joining from Adelaide Comets, while Jordan O’Doherty and Harrison Conant joined from Modbury Jets and Para Hills Knights, respectively.
Combining with already proven NPL stars such as Alex Mullen, Marc Marino, Josh Mori, and Jordan Elsey, Campbelltown threaten to slingshot right back into contention in 2026.
The Red Devils also looked internationally, signing Kenya Fujinam, hoping to continue their trend of successfully recruiting Japanese players as they aim to once again contend for silverware.
One of Campbelltown's notable additions, Dan Vaughan, playing for his new side in pre-season.
Can Playford take the next step?
It took Playford 20 years to return to South Australia’s top flight after their relegation in 2005, so 2025 was all about maintaining that status. One big advantage the Patriots had was that coach Ben Moore has been with this squad since its State League Two days and knows how to maximise its potential.
The season started well for Playford, who, led by Dan Ryan, Santiago Tabares and Isaac Mullen, enjoyed parts of the season inside the top six. The Patriots even recorded the biggest win of the season, with a smashing 8-1 margin over rivals Para Hills.
Playford’s performances tailed slightly as they became part of the pack that chased the last spots of the top six, eventually falling short by a couple of points. Despite the natural disappointment of falling short, the Patriots would have been buoyed by a positive first season and are looking to take the next step with signings such as Patrick McGregor, Cameron Harris, Reece Jurjevic, Luca Meggetto, Bailey Truscott, Antony Piscioneri, and international signing Shota Babasaki.
Playford City celebrate a smashing win over rivals Para Hills Knights in 2025.
How will the Comets’ youth reset fare?
If 2025 was the first step to a reset for the Adelaide Comets, the 2026 offseason saw the club complete that process. After losing loyal stalwarts such as Adam Le Cornu, Alan Welsh, and Ryan Yates the year before, the Comets saw two of the last members of the old guard, Dan Vaughan and Jayden LoBasso, also say their farewells in the lead up to 2026.
The Comets have gone younger, backing their own youth pipeline to stand up and take the opportunities presented to them. This process began the previous season with players like Nicholas Vatenos, Jake Ellenberger, Jake Dorsi and Phillip Spadavecchia getting a regular taste of senior football.
This proactivity will hold the Comets in good stead in 2026 as the youngsters are joined by the experience and quality of Aladin Irabona, Damian Ljuic, Anthony Mavrolambados, Nikolas Ikonomopoulos, along with promising new signings like Para Hills goalkeeper Yanni Delengas, MetroStars forward Jake Porter, and Macarthur Academy forward Gildas Gomwikezwa.
As always, the youthful makeup of the team will lead to inconsistency that first-time head coach Tom Overall will have to manage as the Comets look to secure another season of NPL football while also doing some damage in the process.
Adelaide Comets in the lead up to their first ever game at Ellis Park in 2025.
Will the Knights be able to survive?
The greatest of great escapes. That title probably doesn’t even do what Para Hills achieved in the dying moments of the 2025 season justice.
The Knights looked down and out in injury time, two goals down against Premiers MetroStars, while relegation rivals Modbury were strolling to a comfortable victory against Adelaide United. Despite the record books having them pencilled down as the second relegated side of 2025, Para Hills sensationally snatched survival with two quickfire injury-time goals to gain an ever-important point.
The celebrations were not long-lasting, though, with the Knights being raided for players in the following months, primarily by West Adelaide, where their former coach Theo Tsiounis currently serves as Technical Director. Ali Rayez Muradi, Keshav Shrestha, and Diego Santos de Oliveira join former teammates Kairo Felix and Alex Tsimopoulos at Hellas. At the same time, Yanni Delengas (Comets), Harrison Conant (Campbelltown), Abu Hussein (Beograd), and Gloire Amanda (overseas) have also headed for the exit doors.
Incoming senior coaches Joe Allison and Gordon Bryce have brought in players such as Marco Guerrera and Blake Ennet to stem the bleeding, but the question remains whether Para Hills have done enough to even give itself a miraculous chance of survival this time around.
A new-look Para Hills Knights will once again be fighting for NPL survival in 2025.
Can Sturt mirror their last NPL return?
The 2021 NPL SA season was a memorable one for the Sturt Lions. Led by Lino Fusco in their first year back in the league, the Lions, who at the time were based at West Beach, turned heads, making the Finals Series in their first attempt.
A big-name recruit, Michael Marrone, helped Sturt embark on a Cinderella story that saw them knock out both MetroStars and South Adelaide on penalties to reach the Preliminary Final, where they fell agonisingly short of a Grand Final after conceding in extra time against the Adelaide Comets.
Sturt returned to the revamped Karinya Reserve the following year, but they never reached the same heights, eventually being relegated in 2023. Lino Fusco made way for his brother, John, after he concluded his playing career to great success, promoting his side back to the NPL after winning the State League One Premiership by a commanding 13 points in his first year in coaching.
The foothills-based club returns to South Australia’s top division full of confidence, with Manely Barnett’s signing and Gonzalo Rodrigues’ return from Europe in 2025 both signifying thatintent. Over the off-season, they have also added the likes of Filimon Asefa and Jaiden Diamantis, both returning from stints in Victoria, along with Adelaide United's Mohammed Hassan, in search of another memorable return to the NPL.
New Sturt signings Mohammed Hassan (left) and Filimon Asefa (right) celebrate a goal in pre-season.
Can West Adelaide consolidate this time around?
There are just some clubs whose presence adds an extra layer of meaning to a competition like the NPL SA. West Adelaide is one of them, but last time they found themselves in South Australia’s top flight, it was a short-lived experience.
While there was an air of positivity around West Adelaide in 2023, the signings required never came. As a result, performances eventually fell away as Jim Tsekinis’ side dropped back into State League One. Theo Tsiounis eventually took over and led his side to the State League One Championship before departing to coach Adelaide United’s A-League Women's team.
Importantly, Tsiounis has stayed involved as Technical Director, a blessing for his replacement Ben Cockerill, as he has used his connection to former club Para Hills to bring in players such as Ali Rayez Muradi, Keshav Shrestha, Riley Stam and Diego Santos de Oliveira. Alongside them, Hellas have ensured there is enough quality by also signing the likes of Sidiki Dukuly and Maksim Ivanic, as well as Jaden Gasking and Inaki Hernandez, who arrive from overseas.
Hellas will finally debut Kilburn Sportsplex on the NPL scene, and while a solid team on paper has the potential to make it a fortress, like the club’s WNPL side, the first focus will be retaining their top-flight status.
West Adelaide celebrate sealing victory in the 2025 State League One Grand Final.
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