Northern NSW NPL 2021 season preview: Magic in the air for new campaign

Defending champions Edgeworth have gained the biggest-name playing recruit in Kiwi international Jeremy Brockie, but they have also snared former Premier League striker Michael Bridges as coach after upheaval at the top following Damian Zane's exit before the 2020 kick-off.

Like Bridges, former Jets hero Joel Griffiths debuts in the NPL as a head coach, at Olympic. He and brother, Ryan, also return as players after two seasons out, adding more intrigue to Olympic's tilt.

But most interest is on how Broadmeadow will fare with Zane at the helm after he moved to Edgeworth's fierce rivals following five years of guiding the Eagles' domination.

Coach: Damian Zane. Last year: 2nd (26 points, +13 goals)

IN: Keanu Moore, Jose Atayde, Noah Steinerts (Edgeworth), Nate Cavaliere (Olympic), Jake Harris (Spirit FC), Jordan Jackson (Weston). OUT: Cody Carroll (Cooks Hill), John Majurovski (Lakes), Lachlan Watson, Ty Cousins (Maitland), Seb Burich Lillo.

FIRST MONTH: Lakes (A), Olympic (H), Charlestown (A), Weston (H).

KEY: Magic pulled off the coup of last season with the signing for 2021 of Zane, who guided Edgeworth to four premierships, five grand finals and three championships in his first years as a senior coach. So it's only fair that Zane's appointment, and a few handy additions, especially Cavaliere in goals and Atayde in midfield, will raise expectations of trophies at Broadmeadow. TIP: 1^st.

Coach: Michael Bridges. Last year: 1st (33 points, +25 goals)

IINS: Jeremy Brockie (South Africa), Lionel Glorieux (Fraser Park), Mauro Leon-Davila (Bonnyrigg), Jackson Pereira, Matt Burton (Jets Youth), James Scott (North Shore) Jake McGuinness. OUTS: Jose Atayde, Keanu Moore, Noah Steinerts (Magic), Will Bower (Bentleigh), Ayden Brice (Melbourne Knights), Mitch Dobson (Weston), Shayne Van As (Lakes), Adam Cawley, Mitch Hunter.

FIRST MONTH: Maitland (H), Jaffas (A), Lakes (A), Olympic (H).

KEY: It's been dangerous to tip against the Eagles in recent years, especially in 2020 when they overcame the loss of two coaches to win the double. This year, though, their losses are significant. The signing of Brockie up front to partner Kristian Brymora, and the class of Josh Evans, Pat Wheeler and Josh Rose, should make them contenders, but their depth has taken a hit. It shapes as a huge test for the champions but they tend to rise to the challenge. TIP: 2nd.

Coach: James Pascoe. Last year: 6^th (19 points, +7 goals)

INS: Josh Piddington (year off), Ben Hay (Valentine), Reece Papas (Olympic), Josh Davis (Magic). OUTS: Mitch Oxborrow (WA), Matt Thompson (Valentine), Tom Waller.

FIRST MONTH: Weston (A), Edgeworth (H), Valentine (A), Lakes (H).

KEY: Jaffas were the biggest underperformers last season. With a roster boosting 330 games of A-League experience and three NNSW NPL player of the year winners, Lambton missed finals in the COVID-shortened year. Although Oxborrow and Thompson are big-name losses in 2021, Jaffas have recruited well in Hay, Papas and the late signing of ex-Magic skipper Piddington. With a full pre-season under their belts, expect Jaffas to rise back to the top end of the table. TIP: 3rd.

Coach: Joel Griffiths. Last year: 3rd (23 points, +8 goals)

INS: Joel Griffiths, Ryan Griffiths (retirement), Tom Davies (Maitland), Luke Rutledge, Louis Townsend, Daniel Eisenhauer, Luke Vallone (Adamstown), Jacob Bailey (Valentine), Brian Sutomo (Macarthur), Noah Mies (Tasmania). OUTS: Nate Cavaliere (Magic), Reece Papas (Jaffas), Kent Harrison (US), Jakob Cresnar, Denis Fajlovic (Adamstown).

FIRST MONTH: Adamstown (H), Magic (A), Maitland (H), Edgeworth (A).

KEY: Joel Griffiths, 41, debuts as coach and also returns on the pitch, along with brother, Ryan, 39. Both last played NPL in 2018 but have featured in pre-season, with Joel filling in as a defender. Olympic have several players back after stints away and the club's gains outweigh their losses, although the exit of Cavaliere in particular will be felt. A repeat of last year's finals return will be expected and they have the squad to go further. TIP: 4^th.

Coach: Graham Law. Last year: 4th (23 pts, +5 goals)

INS: Dom Bizzarri (Magic), Aaron Oppedisano (Edgeworth), Dylan Burston, Harry Frendo (Adamstown), Jett White (Weston). OUTS: Matt Johnson, Daniel Bird.

FIRST MONTH: Valentine (H), Adamstown (A), Magic (H), Maitland (A).

KEY: Despite injuries to key men and losing the opening three games in 2020, Azzurri rallied to make finals for the first time since 2014 under new coach Law, who has a similar mix of youth and experience this year. Finals will be the target again but they likely face another tough fight in the mid-table scrap. TIP: 5^th.

Coach: Mick Bolch. Last year: 5th (22 points, +8 goals)

INS: Alex Read (Valentine), Lachlan Watson, Ty Cousins (Magic), Charlie Cox (Hakoah), Adam Blunden (Central Coast), Tyrell Paulson (Lakes), Flynn Goodman (Adamstown), Chris Fayers. OUTS: Joel Wood (Valentine), Braedyn Crowley (Bentleigh), Tom Davies (Olympic), Andrew Swan, Matt Trott (retired), Liam Thornton (Thornton), Tom Duggan (Weston).

FIRST MONTH: Edgeworth (A), Lakes (A), Olympic (A), Charlestown (H).

KEY: The 2019 premiers face a tough task to reach a third straight grand final after losing six starting players, including top scorers Crowley and Wood. The return of Read and Fayers helps but the Magpies will rely heavily on those left from last year's squad and the young talent recruited to fill the void, especially up front. TIP: 6^th.

Coach: Leo Bertos. Last year: 7th (18 points, +2 goals)

INS: Stuart Plant (Lakes), Mitch Dobson (Edgeworth), Nathan Lozada (Central Coast), Tom Duggan (Maitland), Liam Wilson (injury). OUTS: Jett White (Charlestown), Jordan Jackson (Magic), Brendan Short (Adamstown), Max Foster.

FIRST MONTH: Jaffas (H), Valentine (A), Adamstown (H), Magic (A).

KEY: The Bears are largely unchanged from 2020, when Bertos made his debut as coach. The return of 2019 standout Wilson from injury and addition of another Central Coast talent in Lozado will lift hopes of finals football for the first time since 2014 at the Bears. TIP: 7^th.

Coach: Josh Rufo. Last year: 10th (4 pts, -22 goals)

INS: Nick Cowburn (Toronto), John Majurovski (Magic), Shayne Van As (Edgeworth), Lewis Young (Bramhope-UK), Brendon King (Jaffas), Carter Smith (Maitland), Josh Maguire, Peter McPherson. OUTS: Tyrell Paulson (Maitland), Stuart Plant (Weston), Iman Akram (Valentine).

FIRST MONTH: Magic (H), Maitland (H), Edgeworth (H), Jaffas (A).

KEY: Last year's wooden spooners have brought in a ton of experience with the recruitment of veterans Majurovski, Maguire and McPherson. Former Jet Cowburn and keeper Van As are quality additions. If Rufo can keep his top guys on the field, a sharp rise is within reach. TIP: 8th.

Coach: Adam Hughes. Last year: 8th (12 points, -17 goals)

INS: Matt Thompson (Jaffas), Joel Wood (Maitland), Matt Dobson (Edgeworth), Adam Mlinaric (Magic), Max Middleby, Jacob Farrell (Central Coast), Iman Akram (Lakes), Coen Ungaro (Adamstown), Cody Peluso, Nick Harmon. OUTS: Alex Read (Maitland), Ben Hay (Jaffas), Jacob Bailey (Olympic), Riley Russell, Chris Brown, Dain Greentree, Josh Murray, Kaleb Pearson, Liam Cromarty, Luke Willard.

FIRST MONTH: Charlestown (A), Weston (H), Jaffas (H), Adamstown (A).

KEY: Player-coach Hughes, who took over early last season, has made a dramatic overhaul of the Phoenix squad. The recruitment of Thompson and Wood gives Valentine experience but their fate will likely rest on how the many, mostly unknown, new faces measure up. TIP: 9th

Coach: David Rosewarne. Last year: 9th (5 points, -29 goals)

INS: Brendan Short (Weston), Oliver Davies (injury), Denis Fajkovic (Olympic), Tom Jenkins (South Cardiff), Levi Barclay, Steve Stanton (Forster), Alex Mulrooney, Torren Blanch (Canberra). OUTS: Luke Rutledge, Louis Townsend, Daniel Eisenhauer, Luke Vallone (Olympic), Flynn Goodman (Maitland), Dylan Burston, Harry Frendo (Charlestown), Alex Graham, Callum Gabriel, Tallan Martin, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Tyson Cummings.

FIRST MONTH: Olympic (A), Charlestown (H), Weston (A), Valentine (H).

KEY: Former TD Rosewarne takes over from Cansdell-Sherriff for what looks like a tough year ahead for Rosebud. They just avoided the wooden spoon last season and have since lost most of their regulars. While Lakes and Valentine could surprise this year, Rosebud will very likely struggle. TIP: 10th