Some big moves have already taken shape across Canberra's NPL and NPLW competitions, with Canberra Olympic FC poaching eight players to don a different shade of blue next season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The September 7 cancellation of the 2021 season led to clubs beginning to shape their roster ahead of next season.
In the NPL men's Olympic is set to gain a number of players from rivals Belconnen United next season under head coach Robbie Cattanach. So far Luca Florez, Max Mellick, Nelson Curley, Adrian Macor and Luca Macor have signed on to make the move, alongside Seamus Carr from West Canberra Wanderers.
Similarly the club has poached a bunch of players in the NPL women's. Nicole Begg will coach the side again in 2022 and has secured Michaela Thornton, Vanessa Ryan and Nicole Jalocha from Belconnen, alongside Elke Aitolu (Gungahlin United FC), and Canberra Croatia's Cecilija Matic and Olivia Fogarty.
MORE IN CANBERRA SPORT:
- Hope for ACT's promised Matildas match in 2022
- 'She's the one you want to impress': Mason-Jones links with a name from her past at Canberra
- Queanbeyan club eyes new chapter after historic fine for referee abuse
- Canb Stadium, Manuka to get upgrades but one big venue to miss out
- 'You're a wh---': spectator cornered ref in change room
Croatia is yet to announce any new signings in either the women's or men's sides.
Tuggeranong United FC is likely to be relegated in the NPL men's, and its women's side is yet to release any signings for 2022, but has confirmed head coach Paulo Romero will continue in his role.
O'Connor Knights are set to move into the top men's division and have poached three Tuggeranong players - Regan Walsh, Edward Coggan and Andrew Slavich. Gungahlin's Moses Garang and Canberra White Eagles' Gabriel Ayuel have also signed on with the club for its first NPL1 campaign in 12 years.
Monaro Panthers will have Belconnen's Jordan Thurtell between the sticks, alongside Darren Bailey, and striking force Andre Carle, who makes the move from NSW NPL club Blacktown Spartans.
Tigers FC and Gungahlin are yet to announce their signings but Cooma coach Ryan Grogan said last month there would be player movement in his squad.
Former NPLW coach Michael Zakoski will move across to the men's program at Belconnen and has signed Adam Forner - after nine years at Olympic - alongside Michael Southam and Chris Reay. New signing Luke Vallone leaves NNSW NPL side Newcastle Olympic FC to join re-signings Dustin Wells, Philippe Borgeaud, Maxx Green, Christian Kreskas and Keegan Vucetic.
George Economopoulos and Dom English will lead the West Canberra Wanderers' NPL side, but the club is still yet to name its new NPLW coach or any signings across both men's and women's.
Three-time ACT coach of the year Pat Mills will take the helm at Gungahlin and Mitch Parker will take on the NPLW head coaching gig at Belconnen, but neither have announced any signings yet.
Wagga City Wanderers FC have not announced any signings and Canberra United Academy is unlikely to reveal its roster until early 2022.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark canberratimes.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
Isobel Cootes
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
Sports reporter at The Canberra Times. A Novocastrian with a passion for football (or soccer as they call it in the capital) via The Examiner and The Port Lincoln Times.
