NPL NSW MEN’S

2022 was one of the tightest National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s competitions for years as the fight for finals football went to the final day of the competition.

After COVID-19 interruptions in the preceding two seasons, all 12 teams were raring to get back on the football pitch, putting on some fantastic displays in the opening stages of the season.

The tides turned several times throughout the year as several different teams found themselves in the top spot, but after 22 weeks of hardfought battles, the race for finals football, and for the NPL NSW Men’s Premiership title, came down to the final breath.

With three possible Premiers on the final day, it was Sydney Olympic who came out on top with a crucial victory over Blacktown City and an incredibly narrow goal difference over Manly giving them the edge. After a tough final contest, the Premiers bowed out after losses to both Manly and Blacktown, leaving positions 2 and 3 to battle it out in the Grand Final at Commbank Stadium, with Blacktown the eventual victors.

Not only did the Premiership race go until the final day, the golden boot also came down to a fight between Sydney FC’s Jaiden Kucharski, Rockdale’s Alec Urosevski and Olympic’s Roy O’Donovan. Experienced striker O’Donovan came out on top with a sensational season at Belmore.

In 2023, the competition will grow to 16 teams, incorporating a 30-round season, a first-past-the-post Championship format and the return of relegation.