The long wait is over, National Premier Leagues NSW Mens football is back.
Months of talk of preseason training, high profile signings and coaching changes are over with the action on the pitch once again taking centre stage.
Historic club Marconi Stallions return to the NPL top flight for the first time since the 2015 season and won’t be around to just make up the numbers.
The opening round kicks off with a blockbuster grand final rematch between Manly United FC and APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC at Cromer Park which is this week’s Match of the round.
Manly United FC v APIA Leichhardt FC, 7pm Saturday at Cromer Park
Reigning champions Manly United mean business and are out to prove last season’s success is more than just a flash in the pan.
Much loved coach Paul Dee returns to take the reigns at the Northern Beaches club once again after a 12-month sabbatical and is determined to build on the progress achieved under interim boss Warren Grieve in 2017.
Almost the entire cast of Manly’s grand final winning side have returned this season with former Newcastle Jets young talent Daniel Alessi joining the fray at Cromer Park.
After ending their own silverware drought last season with the NPL NSW Mens Premiership, APIA Leichhardt hope to remain at the top of the pile.
The Tigers had a coaching change of their own this season with Billy McColl returning to call the shots at Lambert Park after Danial Cummins stepped away at the conclusion of last campaign.
It has been a busy offseason for APIA in the transfer market with Howard Fondyke, Zach Mackenzie, Lachlan Roberts and former Melbourne Victory striker George Howard joining McColl’s side
While Saturday night’s result won’t have too much on an impact on the title race, both teams understand the importance of getting off to a strong start.
Expect plenty of action as the season gets underway with a bang at Cromer Park.
Marconi Stallions FC v Sydney United 58 FC, 7pm Saturday at Marconi Stadium
Make one thing clear, Marconi Stallions are out for silverware this season.
The historic club returns to the NPL top flight in 2018 and will be focused on taking three points from their first NPL NSW Mens clash since 2015.
Boasting a strong side on paper including Sean Rooney, Chilean born Emmanuel Ponce and Blacktown City’s 2017 breakout star James Andrew, the Stallions are expected to boast plenty of firepower going forward.
Sydney United 58 will have their work cut out in round one with former PSV and Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina set for a trial by fire after taking over as head coach for this season.
Culina has been tasked with building a new era of dominance at Edensor Park after a disappointing end to their 2017 campaign.
United 58 are expected to give debuts to their big-name additions in round one with Shannon Cole, Patrick Antelmi, John Hall and Japanese import Tomoki Menda all expected to be big players for the reds in 2018.
Marconi and Sydney United 58 share plenty of history from their days facing off in the NSL and Saturday’s clash will be yet another great chapter for these proud clubs.
Sydney FC v Hakoah Sydney City East FC, 7.45pm Saturday at Lambert Park
With an impressive first season in the NPL NSW Mens competition under their belt, Sydney FC come into the 2018 season in good shape to take their game to another level.
This newfound competitive edge and confidence among the youthful Sydney squad will no doubt be chiselled further thanks a litany of exciting arrivals, particularly in Bonnyrigg pair Luke Ivanovic and Hassan Jalloh who have both been earmarked as the two of the competition’s most talented young forwards.
A home game against eastern suburbs rivals Hakoah Sydney City East is the perfect platform for coach Robbie Stanton to test his young Sky Blues.
For Hakoah, round one marks the chance to debut a young and enthusiastic new squad.
With Gavin Rae hanging up his boots to focus on his responsibilities as head coach and Neil Jablonski’s decision to leave the club, Hakoah will need to find a new inspirational leader on the field in 2018.
Rae will hope new signing Mitchell Stamatellis will be the man to take on that mantle among Hakoah’s youthful squad.
A win in round one could be an important momentum builder for both sides as they set the tone for the season ahead.
Sydney Olympic FC v Bonnyrigg White Eagles FC, 3pm Sunday at Belmore Sports Ground
The surprise departure of coach Gorka Exteberria has thrown Sydney Olympic’s round one preparation with the Belmore side fighting to not let the sudden change impact their title chances.
A win against Bonnyrigg White Eagles is important if Olympic is to show Exteberria’s exit hasn’t undone all the strides the side made in the offseason.
New signings Alejandro Sanchez, Rafael Jimenez Serrano and Nicola Kuleski lead the charge at Belmore oval as does the returning Max Burgess.
Bonnyrigg will be just as driven to win on Sunday as they look to put last season’s horror campaign behind them.
Coach Brian Brown enters his tenth campaign as White Eagles boss and has brought in new signings David Bradasevic, Ben Tosi, James O’Rourke, Brady Smith, Tynan Diaz and Dean Bereveskos as he sets out to return the club to the top.
Both teams have plenty to play for ensuring an entertaining clash to open the season.
Wollongong Wolves FC v Blacktown CIty FC, 3pm Sunday at WIN Stadium
Wollongong Wolves are determined to return to Premiership relevance in 2018 and it all starts at WIN Stadium on Sunday when they host Blacktown CIty FC.
Jacob Timpano has been active in the transfer market in the offseason bringing in 36-year-old five-time J-League winner Takuya Nozawa to drive their attack and team up with returning Japanese import Yuzo Tashiro.
Wollongong was unlucky to miss out on the finals last season after a strong run of form to close the season.
Failure will not be accepted this time around and it all starts in round one for the Wolves.
Their opponents Blacktown City will also hope to make amends after falling away in the later stages of last season.
Mark Crittenden has once again built a Blacktown team which will challenge for the title and the addition of striker Charles Mendy, Defender Yianni Spyriakis and former Newcastle Jets livewire Devante Clut gives them plenty of fire power.
Wollongong is a tough place to play making Sunday’s clash one Blacktown will need to be at their best to win.
Rockdale City Suns FC v Sutherland Sharks FC, 5pm Sunday at Ilinden Sports Centre
The opening round of the season comes to a close with a Southern Sydney derby as Rockdale City Suns host Sutherland Sharks.
Rockdale’s finished the season last year in third position but couldn’t find form when it mattered most in the finals.
This season it is all about taking their game to a new level, starting on Sunday.
New players for the Suns this season include Bai Antoniou and Michael Neil, but the most important addition from the offseason will be the club’s new artificial surface at their Ilinden Sports Centre home.
The impressive new facilities will allow coach Paul Reid to get his side playing their preferred slick passing style.
Their opponents, Sutherland Sharks, will be out to demonstrate their improvement with signings Hayden Morton, Jacob Tratt and new shot stopper Ryan Norval adding steel to last season’s league worst defence.
Grant Lee has a challenge on his hands this season and if Sutherland can return to finals contention this year they must start winning from the opening round.
Rockdale will be out to entertain their fans and snatch a vital round one win, but a determined Sutherland team could upset the party.
-By Nick Houghton