NPL NSW MEN’S COMPETITIONS NPL NSW Men’s There was a lot of hype surrounding the 2021 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s season following the shortened 2020 campaign. History repeated itself as the COVID-19 outbreak spread to Greater Sydney in July, which all but put an end to the season before Round 18. Prior to the league’s cancellation on the 12th August, Mark Crittenden’s Blacktown City side had one hand on the Premiership trophy, having had a stellar season led by the return of Travis Major and co. City’s nearest rivals were Sydney United 58 who too had an impressive year, led by marksman Patrick Antelmi, while the remaining top five teams saw Rockdale Ilinden, Manly United and Sydney Olympic push for final series positions. It wasn’t to be, however, as the competition was cancelled, putting an end to deciding who the 2021 Premiers and Champions would be. Five NPL NSW Men’s clubs were also set to compete in the 2021 FFA Cup Round of 32, those being APIA Leichhardt, Blacktown City FC, Mt Druitt Town Rangers, Sydney Olympic and the Wollongong Wolves. NPL 2 NSW Men’s Promotion to the top tier of the NPL was on the radar of each of the NPL 2 NSW Men’s clubs as the 2021 season kicked off. COVID-19 put an end to witnessing who may have been playing in NSW’s elite competition but, prior to the cancellation of the league, it was surprise packets St George City FA that had pole position, leading the chasing pack, which included the Western Sydney Wanderers, Northern Tigers, Central Coast Mariners and Hakoah Sydney City East. The competition was cancelled prior to Round 17 due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney. NPL 3 NSW Men’s It looked as though it may have been the year of the Lions, as Rydalmere, led by coach and former Scottish legend Gavin Rae, had his troops riding high as leaders of the NPL 3 NSW Men’s competition. In what was a very competitive season, the top contenders challenging Rydalmere, such as Bankstown City FC, Dulwich Hill, Bankstown United and Gladesville Ryde Magic, all looked set to battle the Lions for top position. Like NPL 2 NSW Men’s the NPL 3 NSW Men’s competition was cancelled prior to Round 17. NPL 4 NSW Men’s It was meant to be a year to remember for all 12 NPL 4 NSW Men’s clubs, as each set their sights on clinching silverware and promotion for the 2021 season. Prior to the league being cancelled, it was the young guns from the Newcastle Jets that were leading the pack, four points ahead of Fraser Park, closely followed by the Camden Tigers, Parramatta FC and UNSW FC.
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2021 ANNUAL REPORT | FOOTBALL NSW
11/3/22 10:57 am
