NSWNPL Season Review 2014
The NPL in NSW is over for another season. Bonnyrigg White Eagles have been crowned Premiers in dramatic final day circumstances. With the Top 5 sides now stepping up preparations for the NPLNSW Finals Series, From the Stands takes a look at each side’s performance in 2014.
The Top 5
1st Bonnyrigg White Eagles – W15, D2, L5; F41, A21; PTS 47
The Premiers and deservedly so. Tipped to contend at the beginning of the season, they were thereabouts for most of the season. The White Eagles have flown under the radar, overshadowed by the excellence from both Blacktown sides. Interestingly, Bonnyrigg only led the league once and when it mattered most: at the full time whistle at the end of round 22. With the Premiership in the bag Brian Brown’s reigning, defending, NPLNSW Champions look to step it up another gear in the hunt for a second successive NPLNSW Championship.
2nd: Blacktown Spartans – W15, D1, L6; F55, A34; PTS 46
The Spartans spent big to secure the Premiership and some might say have been rewarded appropriately. For all but the final game, the Spartans led the comp and in true fashion, the Premiership was in their hands. Costly losses throughout the season allowed the opposition to catch them and when it mattered most, they couldn’t get the job done. Rumblings of a post-match brawl after the final game of the season leave huge question marks in their post-season campaign.
3rd: Blacktown City – W14, D2, L6; F51, A22; PTS 44
City were the Spartans only real competition for much of the season. A costly late season form dip confirmed their exit from the Premiership race. Despite that, they head into week 1 of the finals in a confident mood. They’ll face cross town rivals Blacktown Spartans, having thumped them 7:0 on their turf on the final day of the season.
4th: Sydney Olympic – W10, D5, L7; F35, A27; PTS 35
Given their shambolic 2013, Grant Lee has done a decent job in 2014. Hovering around the top 5, they’ve hit their form at right part of the season. They could be a dangerous opponent should they make it past Rockdale in week 1 of the finals.
5th: Rockdale City Suns – W10, D4, L8; F26, A24; PTS 34
After winning the Pre-Season Cup to back up their 2013 NPLNSW Final loss to Bonnyrigg, the Suns were tipped for big things in 2014. Unfortunately for them, they finished in the same spot they did in 2013. They made the final in 2013 the hard way, can they do it again?
The Rest
6th: Sutherland Sharks – W9, D3, L10; F43, A42; PTS 30
Sutherland arguably has a top 5 squad. But somebody has to miss out. They’ve been disappointing, given their season in 2013.
7th: South Coast Wolves – W7, D6, L9; F32, A35; PTS 27
This season’s surprise packets. After an early season struggle resulted in a coaching change, luck saw the Wolves rise up the table and at one point, were a slight chance of making the top 5. An excellent season by their standards.
8th: Marconi Stallions – W7, D4, L11; F28, A26; PTS 25
Marconi have been on the slide again. They’ve finished outside the top 5 and in truth, didn’t look like contending this season. Big improvements required at Bossley Park if they’re to improve their standing in 2015.
9th: Sydney United 58 – W6, D6, L10; F25, A29; PTS 24
United fans will be bitterly disappointed. NPLNSW Premiers and NPL Champions in 2013, their 2014 have seen both trophies surrendered meekly. Their season never really got going but if history is anything to go by, look for them to bounce back in 2015.
10th: Manly United – W7, D3, L12; F31, A46; PTS 24
Chris Payne was Manly’s shining light. Unfortunately the rest of his side were dull. Early season form showed them to be possible top 5 contenders but they quickly fell away when other sides began to make their charge.
11th: APIA Leichhardt – W4, D8, L10; F31, A51; PTS 20
Perennial underperformers continued their trend in 2014. Promising performances couldn’t be translated into wins. Conceding 51 goals doesn’t help either. Early tip for relegation in 2015.
12th: St George – W4, D4, L14; F18, A49; PTS 16
Relegated just as quickly as they were promoted and deserved. St George were constantly outclassed at this level. You knew they were done once they began shifting games from Kogarah Oval.
Photos: Football NSW
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