Northern League 2023

Coaching lineup for 2023 as far as I can determine:

Auckland City - A Riera 

Birkenhead - P Hobson

Auckland United - J Figueira 

Melville - S Wilkinson

Hamilton Wanderers - J Hinds

Western Springs - S Hales

Manukau United - J Roman

Bay Olympic - R Mozr

Takapuna - C Milicich

Eastern Suburbs - K Wintersgill

West Coast Rangers - C Coombes

Manurewa - R Ruka

ClubOranje

Coaching lineup for 2023 as far as I can determine:

Auckland City - A Riera 

Birkenhead - P Hobson

Auckland United - J Figueira 

Melville - S Wilkinson

Hamilton Wanderers - J Hinds

Western Springs - S Hales

Manukau United - J Roman

Bay Olympic - R Mozr

Takapuna - C Milicich

Eastern Suburbs - K Wintersgill

West Coast Rangers - C Coombes

Manurewa - R Ruka

Jarrod Young for Melville but otherwise yep

mrsmiis

ClubOranje

Coaching lineup for 2023 as far as I can determine:

Auckland City - A Riera 

Birkenhead - P Hobson

Auckland United - J Figueira 

Melville - S Wilkinson

Hamilton Wanderers - J Hinds

Western Springs - S Hales

Manukau United - J Roman

Bay Olympic - R Mozr

Takapuna - C Milicich

Eastern Suburbs - K Wintersgill

West Coast Rangers - C Coombes

Manurewa - R Ruka

Jarrod Young for Melville but otherwise yep

Paul Marshall with the badge for Rewa.

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/03/14/eastern-suburbs-land-three-big-signings-ahead-of-new-northern-league-season/

Must have great training facilities to be signing in an amateur competition for maximum $150 a week!

It's Francis de vries, Adam Thomas and Martin Bueno. 

lthomas20

https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2023/03/14/eastern-suburbs-land-three-big-signings-ahead-of-new-northern-league-season/

Must have great training facilities to be signing in an amateur competition for maximum $150 a week!

It's Francis de vries, Adam Thomas and Martin Bueno. 

The $150 a week is almost universally unadhered to, and exists basically as a legal requirement to tick a box that the players have certified that 'we are not professional' because trust funding cannot be given to professional sport - only amateur. Lose the trust funding and local football will be in big trouble. 

That being said, it's beneficial to have more high quality players playing locally, it raises the level of competition. De Vries and Thomas are both New Zealanders who didn't get re-signed at their professional clubs and Bueno has lived in New Zealand for a few years. Bueno and Thomas were both at Suburbs for their 19/20 ISPS season, so will know people there like Kane Wintersgill. Bazeley is the Director of Football (or similar) so will have been a key cog in bringing De Vries there given the All Whites link up - and also probably integral in bringing Supyk up.

If these players do return to New Zealand after not being re-signed, and the Phoenix don't want to sign them, their options are National League or simply don't play football. The latter option would be a massive waste of their talent. 

Thomas and Bueno have played at Suburbs and, particularly the former, aren't anything that amazing.

National League is their level. Where else would they be playing?

First weekend done and dusted, what are our thoughts?

Went to Taka v United on Saturday. Taka were competitive and probably good value for a point, difference was the strikers. United kept them at arms length and will probably be top 3 without too much trouble. If Taka build on that and get one or two additions they will remain competitive throughout. Rough pre season for them but signs it is coming together.

Went to Birko v Rewa Sunday. Rewa looked very sharp, but Birko were also well off it today. Monty bullied them and was a class apart. #11 (name escapes me) who came on was superb, and a few others in Rewa’s midfield looked very assured with their passing. Poor start for Birko but imagine they will kick into gear soon. Rewa could be a dark horse for top four. Will need to keep that momentum going for as long as possible but they will cause a lot of problems for teams based on that.

Was at McFetridge for the Birko v Rewa game
Rewa were well worth their 4-2 victory and missed a few other chances.
Monty patterson was a handful for Birko until he went off with a hammy with 15 to go. Thought Conor Probert (9) was awesome for Rewa.
Some of the old Rewa stalwarts would have been proud of their teams spirit today.
Birko will not be that ordinary again I think but maybe missed Corban Piper in the middle of the park to give them a bit more physical presence.
Birko lost the plot later on . Lots of bookings - i lost count but at least 3 for Birko in the last 5 minutes.
Thought that Botica didn't react well to getting some of his own medicine as the last 2 Rewa goals were just the rewa striker being tougher on the ball.
Bloody hot in the sunshine.
Far too early to judge both teams.
PS Did I see Dan Morgan come on for Birko after being on the card for Auckland City last weekend. same as Tieku on the field for Olympic in O League one week and scoring for Wanderers the next. Eligibility rules are bizaare 

Different Dan Morgan.

Thought he looked a bit different but I was on the opposite touchline.
Still bizaare that Tieku was at Olympic one week and Wanderers the next

Rewa looking awesome but yeah I'm biased, was there at McFetridge Park, had a few beverages, one of the Birko fans asked if I had tourettes, no not quite just ADHD.  

Bit sad re the Rhys Ruka situation, he got us up, clash of personatlites it seems.

Def think we can make the top 4 and NL, brings back Gallaher Park memories.

#REWAHARD

chubbs

Thought he looked a bit different but I was on the opposite touchline.
Still bizaare that Tieku was at Olympic one week and Wanderers the next

Tieku signed for Olympic for the two Champions League games and then transfered back to Wanderers, all fine and above board, just means he can't play for any other club besides Wanderers this season as he has hit his limit of 2

U20 Minutes Round 1

Melville United 55%
Eastern Suburbs 45%
Western Springs 43%
Hamilton Wanderers 30%
Bay Olympic 30%
Auckland United 27%
Takapuna 18%
Birkenhead 18%
WCR 14%
Auckland City 9%
Manurewa 6%
Manukau United 0%

Preds this weekend?

Springs 0-2 Suburbs
City 5-1 Olympic
Wanderers 1-2 United
Manukau 1-3 Birko
Taka 2-0 Melville
Rewa 3-3 Rangers

Well you got the Rewa v Rangers score wrong.  Auckland United will be a better indication of how our season goes I guess.

Buffon II

Preds this weekend?

Springs 0-2 Suburbs
City 5-1 Olympic
Wanderers 1-2 United
Manukau 1-3 Birko
Taka 2-0 Melville
Rewa 3-3 Rangers

That's brilliant.

JayJay

U20 Minutes Round 1

Melville United 55%
Eastern Suburbs 45%
Western Springs 43%
Hamilton Wanderers 30%
Bay Olympic 30%
Auckland United 27%
Takapuna 18%
Birkenhead 18%
WCR 14%
Auckland City 9%
Manurewa 6%
Manukau United 0%

Be interested in seeing this over a few rounds. Watched City yesterday and don't think one 20s player got on the field, but I may be wrong. Looked at Manurewa starting line up and can't see any there , but again transfer market not the best source of truth. Coaches going to be having to get calculators and excel spreadsheets to manage it as it goes on.

Enough said

JayJay

U20 Minutes Round 1

Melville United 55%
Eastern Suburbs 45%
Western Springs 43%
Hamilton Wanderers 30%
Bay Olympic 30%
Auckland United 27%
Takapuna 18%
Birkenhead 18%
WCR 14%
Auckland City 9%
Manurewa 6%
Manukau United 0%

Be interested in seeing this over a few rounds. Watched City yesterday and don't think one 20s player got on the field, but I may be wrong. Looked at Manurewa starting line up and can't see any there , but again transfer market not the best source of truth. Coaches going to be having to get calculators and excel spreadsheets to manage it as it goes on.

I'm pretty sure the Rewa GK is under 20.

chopah

Enough said

JayJay

U20 Minutes Round 1

Melville United 55%
Eastern Suburbs 45%
Western Springs 43%
Hamilton Wanderers 30%
Bay Olympic 30%
Auckland United 27%
Takapuna 18%
Birkenhead 18%
WCR 14%
Auckland City 9%
Manurewa 6%
Manukau United 0%

Be interested in seeing this over a few rounds. Watched City yesterday and don't think one 20s player got on the field, but I may be wrong. Looked at Manurewa starting line up and can't see any there , but again transfer market not the best source of truth. Coaches going to be having to get calculators and excel spreadsheets to manage it as it goes on.

I'm pretty sure the Rewa GK is under 20.

2002 according to transfermarket so not under 20 this season

Enough said

chopah

Enough said

JayJay

U20 Minutes Round 1

Melville United 55%
Eastern Suburbs 45%
Western Springs 43%
Hamilton Wanderers 30%
Bay Olympic 30%
Auckland United 27%
Takapuna 18%
Birkenhead 18%
WCR 14%
Auckland City 9%
Manurewa 6%
Manukau United 0%

Be interested in seeing this over a few rounds. Watched City yesterday and don't think one 20s player got on the field, but I may be wrong. Looked at Manurewa starting line up and can't see any there , but again transfer market not the best source of truth. Coaches going to be having to get calculators and excel spreadsheets to manage it as it goes on.

I'm pretty sure the Rewa GK is under 20.

2002 according to transfermarket so not under 20 this season

 
City had none (except 2005-born goalkeeper Joe Wallis) in the matchday squad yesterday. That’s why they played Wallis, Adam Bell and Rayan Tayeb the week before to get their quota up. I guess for big games like Birkenhead they’ll run full strength and then make it up in the easier matches. Doesn’t really matter though - they are going to walk the league anyway; I’d be surprised if they don’t go unbeaten.

Rewa have Kostandini Ziu who has started their matches and Caleb Prasad (of last year’s Manukau first minute substitution infamy) has played a few minutes off the bench. They also have Moh Reynolds signed but yet to play. If need be they can also chuck a bunch of money at some more players to come down.

Manukau are probably the biggest worry in this area I reckon. I’m pretty sure they’ve only used 154 U20 minutes out of 2970 total across these first three matches. Bay Olympic can be partially blamed for that, Mozr took about ten or so players with him from Manukau to Olympic, several of whom are U20s that played minutes last year.

Saw Manurewa vs Melville today, 5-0 to the Rewa. Monty Patterson was a late scratching, but not missed. The spine of Manurewa is very strong, particularly impressed with Connor Probert and James Hoyt controlling the middle, Contratti organising the back, and Bunch putting a shift in up front. Mohd Shah on the wing is a good player, too. Aside from almost scoring at 0-1 down, Melville offered little. Early doors yet, but Rewa in with a good shout of making the National League.

The bar pumps weren't going, so only bottled beer available. Shame. It's also hard to get hot chips wrong, but they gave it a good crack. 

There were also no ballboys/girls....is that not a thing anymore?

Rusty Dunks

Saw Manurewa vs Melville today, 5-0 to the Rewa. Monty Patterson was a late scratching, but not missed. The spine of Manurewa is very strong, particularly impressed with Connor Probert and James Hoyt controlling the middle, Contratti organising the back, and Bunch putting a shift in up front. Mohd Shah on the wing is a good player, too. Aside from almost scoring at 0-1 down, Melville offered little. Early doors yet, but Rewa in with a good shout of making the National League.

The bar pumps weren't going, so only bottled beer available. Shame. It's also hard to get hot chips wrong, but they gave it a good crack. 

There were also no ballboys/girls....is that not a thing anymore?

Ball kids is a thing, but attuitudes to it seem to have changed, I used to dream of being a ball kid, but these days its extremely difficult to get kids along before the junior season has started and especially during the holidays

Predictions for this weekend...

Birko 0-1 Rangers
Rewa 3-1 Taka
Springs 4-1 Wanderers
AC 5-1 Melville
Man U 2-4 Suburbs
BO 1-3 AU

Optimist

Predictions for this weekend...

Birko 0-1 Rangers
Rewa 3-1 Taka
Springs 4-1 Wanderers
AC 5-1 Melville
Man U 2-4 Suburbs
BO 1-3 AU

You did pretty well!! How are you at Lotto?

Went to Bay Olympic vs Suburbs on Saturday night.

Bay scored from a corner after about 10 minutes, against the run of play.

After the goal, Suburbs kicked into another gear for 20 minutes and played some of the most attractive, genuine (see: not just possession for possession's sake) attacking football I've ever seen at this level. Scoring three goals while they were at it.

Bay scored again after a scrappy set piece before giving away a cheap penalty from a throw-in which Suburbs converted to finish 4-2.

Luis Toomey looked class.

20 Legend

Went to Bay Olympic vs Suburbs on Saturday night.

Bay scored from a corner after about 10 minutes, against the run of play.

After the goal, Suburbs kicked into another gear for 20 minutes and played some of the most attractive, genuine (see: not just possession for possession's sake) attacking football I've ever seen at this level. Scoring three goals while they were at it.

Bay scored again after a scrappy set piece before giving away a cheap penalty from a throw-in which Suburbs converted to finish 4-2.

Luis Toomey looked class.

I like reading about that positive and incisive attacking football. They've got a bloody decent squad together too. Good mix of talented youth, good experience, and a smattering of age group reps as well as a few recent AW's.

Surprised Toomey didn't get a gig over in Finland in the lead up to the Northern League season kicking off though.

Suburbs have been extremely boring for a long time hence why I've generally avoided going to their games. But you're totally right, this year looks very decent.

Having only ever knowingly watched Toomey last night, he stood out like Lewis and Payne used to.

Thoughts on if Rewa are scum or not as per the NRFL Forum?

LFCNZ

Thoughts on if Rewa are scum or not as per the NRFL Forum?

My thoughts are leave that sort of toxic name-calling talk where it is.

LFCNZ

Thoughts on if Rewa are scum or not as per the NRFL Forum?

Haven't read it yet, but the only other team I've seen described in such terms as Manukau United. Almost as if... there were some kind of issue with clubs from South Auckland. Hmmm.

The big boys of Auckland feeling threatened??? They seem to be doing alright on what I can only imagine is a fraction of the budget...

watching_from_far

The big boys of Auckland feeling threatened??? They seem to be doing alright on what I can only imagine is a fraction of the budget...

You're imagining wrong.

I think the issues are multi-faceted but there is a fair amount of tall poppy going on there as well.
I do seriously think Rhys was a well respected person in football circles and so his departure from the club has not gone down well with people.

Personally I don't think of them as any different to a number of clubs over the years (from all over Auckland) who have thrown money at players and will have some success but at what long term cost?

Yeah the Moneyrewa thing has been thrown about, if they do have loads of $$ currently, no idea where they are getting it, I've been trying to figure it out.

Buffon II

watching_from_far

The big boys of Auckland feeling threatened??? They seem to be doing alright on what I can only imagine is a fraction of the budget...

You're imagining wrong.

Takapuna 2 v West Coast Rangers 1 at Taharoto
Takas first win of the season so jubilation as 2 goals in the last 5 minutes gave them the 3 points.
WCR up 1-0 at half time = very route one goal with Damian Hirst providing the assist.
WCR should have been further ahead and Taka changed things at bit at half time and upped the intensity .
Taka had 3 penalty shouts - first one marginal , second one looked extremely strong ( and Hirst would have got a red card if it was given) , and finally rewarded on the 3rd shout with 5 to go.
Milicich was apopletic after the second declined and got booked for his troubles
Then Taka scored in about the last minute on a quick break
Interesting to see Allan Pearce still going around - must be 40 or thereabouts and still looked sharp. Showed plenty of little bits of football intelligence that his less talented team mates didn't read.
Good afternoons entertainment.

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What went on here then?
5 x 🟥 in injury time. 
3 to Manukau, and 2 to West Coast. 
Who was there? Who's got the info?

Auckland City 2 v Birkenhead 0 at McFetridge Park
Pretty even game but City had a bit more class all across the pitch
0-0 at half time .De Vries scored the first after Rodic just managed to tip a 40 yard chip from Howieson onto the cross bar and De Vries put the rebound in.Second also a header by De Vries from a Howieson corner.
Birko look a bit short numbers wise but always competitive. Little Argentinian from Waiheke looked useful
Well referred by AMK .She must a be a contender to get some of the bigger games in the World Cup as the Football Ferns are unlikely to be at the sharp end.

She is one of the better referees around in Northern League football. Commands a good authority of the players and keeps the game under control, which is more than can be said of most referees these days.

YoungHeartHM

Screenshot_2023-06-24-17-35-44-77_40d10128ba6102f5a76acc556ff3a0f3.jpg 227.41 KB

What went on here then?
5 x 🟥 in injury time. 
3 to Manukau, and 2 to West Coast. 
Who was there? Who's got the info?

1st WCR Red was DOGSO.
First Manukau red was a second yellow for a poor tackle which was also a bit studs up. Worth a yellow at least.
The other 3 were due to a fight, for want of a better word. Not sure the reason it started but it was on the back of the second yellow.