The 2025 Illawarra Premier League season is fast approaching as teams have been preparing for another year of twists and turns across the competition.
There have been plenty of changes across the squads, so here is a look at what to expect ahead of the first round this weekend.
Albion Park White Eagles FC
Albion Park finished the 2024 regular season in third, eight points off top side Wollongong Olympic, before crashing out of the finals series in straight sets for the second successive year amid an injury crisis.
However, the White Eagles won both encounters with champions Olympic, including an emphatic 4-0 win in Round 9.
The White Eagles have lost goalscorer Cameron Morgan and experienced midfield pair Brendan Griffin (Wollongong Olympic) and Brendan Fordham, who remains injured.
Coach George Antoniou’s team features some new faces as they look to go deeper into the season in 2025.
Promising attacker Jayden Makowski has switched to the White Eagles from Wollongong United.
Makowski was an important piece of the United puzzle that made it to the Grand Final in 2024, scoring seven goals.
Mirza Muratovic will be hoping to get some consistent minutes in 2025, the attacking midfielder joining from Wollongong Wolves after recovering from a serious injury.
Albion Park have also brought in Jacob Poscoliero, who has featured in the A-League, and James Baldacchino from South Coast Flame, boosting their defensive numbers and chances of a high finish.
Bulli FC
Bulli endured a difficult 2024, finishing in 10th place on the table with five wins while also wrestling with the challenges of an extensively flooded pitch.
However, the side got their hands on the Bert Bampton Cup to add some joy to an otherwise tough year.
Bulli have entrusted long-time second-grade coach Rob Bemi and long-serving player Ryan Emerton with the team’s reigns this year.
The Balls Paddock club have brought in some new players to propel them up the table.
Ex-Wolves goalkeeper Daniel Collison will be a commanding presence at the back, while former Cringila midfielder Ryan Akhurst provides energy in midfield.
Aaron Baker has re-joined Bulli for 2025 from Corrimal Rangers, while Michael Kyriakoudes also joins from the Rangers as a versatile defensive option.
The acquisitions of Fraser Park’s Alex Price and Ben Spruce from Tarrawanna Blueys increase the squad’s depth as they look to push away from the bottom places.
Coniston FC
Coniston were one of the teams to beat last year as their youthful squad built momentum off the back of a flying start to the competition as they looked to retain their champions title.
The side had a second-place finish and made the Preliminary Final, where Wollongong United got the better of them.
Coach Franc Pierro has re-signed most of his squad for the new season, including goalkeeper and former League Championship winner Jair Fernandez.
Talented midfielders Tobias Norval, Harrison Anagnostopoulos, and winger Tyson Black are also back at JJ Kelly Park for another year.
Cono have recruited some further attacking firepower, with ex-Helensburgh forward Josh O’Hanlon joining to provide a focal point to the team.
O’Hanlon offers professional experience, having been on the books a decade ago at current English Premier League high-flyers AFC Bournemouth.
Tyler Fuller (Cringila Lions) adds some control and quality to Coniston’s midfield, with the side targeting the top places again.
Cringila Lions FC
Cringila did not hit their 2023 grand-final heights in 2024, finishing fifth before going out in the Elimination Final.
The Lions had a busy off-season, bringing in plenty of new talent as they target silverware under new coach Igor Cankulovski.
Samuel Gulisano will be a versatile asset for the Lions in 2025, featuring across the top clubs in the NPL Men’s NSW competition in his career.
Attacking midfielder Joshua Da Silva has also been a regular feature of NSW top-flight football, with a CV that includes Rockdale Ilinden and Sutherland Sharks before joining Cringila.
Additionally, the Crehan Park Club have acquired several IPL-proven players such as Luca Papalia (Port Kembla), Jason Pappas (South Coast Flame), Keegan Matias (Fernhill) and ex-Marconi and Wolves first-grader Taylor McDonald (Shellharbour).
The Lions also pulled off the coup of 61-cap Gibraltar international Jack Sergeant, capable of playing in defence and midfield.
The new signings will complement the Lions’ re-signings, including fullback Andre Dias, midfielder Harrison Taranto and forward Anthony Krsteski.
Back-to-back Illawarra Premier League Golden Boot winner Peter Simonoski, who has scored more than 60 goals over the last two seasons, is also in the squad giving the Lions further hope of trophies.
Helensburgh Thistle FC
Helensburgh have a raft of new recruits for 2025 as they look to push into the finals conversation.
Defender Harry Sutherland will add some sturdiness in the centre of defence, boasting valuable physical attributes and a wealth of state top-flight experience.
Jacob McDonald is another defender joining with National Premier Leagues pedigree, most recently playing overseas in Canada with Calgary.
Cody Ashburner (Bulli), Issac Rafferty (Tarrawanna) and Julian Lorusso (Canterbury Bankstown Berries) will offer the Thistle further depth in midfield areas.
Rafferty was part of the University of Wollongong squad that recently secured their place in the FISU Football World Championships to be held in China this year.
Former University FC boss Scott Regent has been given the top job at the Thistle for this campaign.
In 2022, Regent guided the Students to a remarkable season, making it all the way to the Preliminary Final of the Illawarra District League.
In addition to new signings, Helensburgh have re-signed many of their 2024 squad, such as Michael McStay, Cody Cuthbertson and Ethan Lehn, in pursuit of a finals spot.
Oak Flats Falcons FC
Newly-promoted Oak Flats will aim to make a splash as they venture into the Illawarra Premier League, following their 2024 Illawarra District League success.
The Falcons secured first place, one point ahead of Fernhill, with a phenomenal 94 goals scored across the regular season.
Oak Flats narrowly fell short of grand final glory, as their ravaged team lost out to Fernhill on the day.
Co-coaches Brenton Burke and Chad Bishop guided the side to their promotion and will be in charge for this season.
The Falcons pulled off some new signings, such as Bulli trio Luke Palermo, Julian Clarino and Lachlan Bryce, while Luke Genua (Coniston) will be an option as goalkeeper.
Importantly, Oak Flats have kept hold of star import Shotaro Iwamoto, who won the Neville Arrowsmith Medal in 2024.
The winger was unstoppable in the District League last year with 33 regular-season goals and grabbed four hat-tricks along the way and will be key to Oak Flats’ chances.
Port Kembla FC
Port Kembla had highs and lows during the 2024 season and ended up with a seventh-place finish.
The side kicked into gear after a slow start, losing only twice between rounds seven and eighteen, but they were 12 points away from finals football after 22 rounds.
Darren Jones has taken over as coach for Port Kembla in 2025, most recently leading the South Coast Flame First Grade side.
Port have made the key re-signing of striker Tetsunari Nishimura, who contributed 10 goals to the team and will provide some goal threat.
The Wetherall Park club have further added to their attack by bringing in tricky wide man Michael Mendes (Cringila Lions) and club-favourite Jason Perez (Macarthur Rams).
IPL Goalkeeper of the Year for 2024 Adam Rodriguez will again be in between the sticks for Port, while Jones has re-signed many of the key cogs of last year’s team as they aim to get closer to finals.
South Coast United FC
South Coast United bettered their 2024 performance by one place, moving up to ninth on the table with their six wins.
The side pulled off some sensational upsets, beating the top two sides in the division, Wollongong Olympic and Coniston.
However, United have undergone some changes to their squad for 2025, with Shellharbour’s Andrew Thompson replacing long-time player/coach Greg Valic at the helm.
Goalkeeper Jason Bleakley has hung up his gloves, while defender Michajlo Jonjic has left the club along with talisman Alex Galbraith, who has joined Gerringong Breakers.
Ricky Bertakis has also retired from playing, having been one of United’s regular attacking threats over the years.
South Coast have made some signings such as Steven Hristovski, who joins from Corrimal, while Jacob Gjorsevski (South Coast Flame) and Josh Keremelevski (Sutherland Sharks) will offer some firepower.
The side also managed to retain key attacking weapon Advin Trebincevic, whose goals have been valuable during his time at the club as they look to continue to build in 2025.
Shellharbour FC
In their return to the Illawarra’s top competition last year, Shellharbour finished in 11th with four wins.
While having long winless runs throughout 2024, they started the year with two wins and made the Bert Bampton Cup Final.
They picked up some impressive results as well, holding Albion Park to a 1-1 draw in Round 7 and beating ninth-placed South Coast United home and away.
Rod Williams has recruited several players over the break to bolster his team’s chances of a push towards the higher places.
Former Australian youth international Adam Casey (South Coast United) will be a new attacking option at Shellharbour, while ex-Corrimal midfielder Cody Wehmeyer has also joined up.
Daniel Mihajlovic will provide some defensive cover for the side, joining from state leagues outfit Prospect United.
Shellharbour have also re-signed several of last season’s regulars, including defensive duo Valentino Merxhushi and Luke Debrot, as they aim for a higher finish.
Tarrawanna Blueys FC
After losing their first four matches of 2024, the Blueys battled their way to a sixth-place finish, just ten points away from the finals places.
Tarrawanna’s form was defined by their resolute defensive set-up, conceding 27 goals – the fourth-best of any team in the competition.
The Blueys have lost wide player Jacob Martin, Second Grade player of the year Brodie O’Neil, Tsubasa Tamashiro and Isaac Rafferty for 2025.
Kaydin Harrison will be the new goalkeeper for the Blueys; he missed the 2024 season following a knee injury sustained in the 2023 Grand Final win with Coniston.
Goal-getting striker Cameron Morgan could be a difference-maker for the Blueys, having signed on from Albion Park.
Morgan has been one of the league’s top scorers over the last few years with his pace and well-timed runs a constant menace for defensive lines.
The club have also signed three Shellharbour players: midfielder Robbie Del Banco, defender Rene Vescio and forward Zac Mazevski, who is returning to Tarrawanna.
Jake Leighton (Albion Park White Eagles) and Port Kembla’s Taiga Nakayama and Lachlan Flood complete a comprehensive set of new faces for the Bluey’s finals push.
Wollongong Olympic FC
Double winners Wollongong Olympic will look to add further silverware under coach Matt Bailey this campaign.
The side claimed the Illawarra Premier League Championship and Grand Final in 2024.
They finished five points clear of Coniston on the table before taking out the big dance with a victory over Wollongong United.
Key to Olympic’s achievements was a spectacular run of form where they lost only once in 11 games, earning results like a 6-2 win over rivals United in Round 22.
Olympic have shown faith in much of last year’s group, which was successful, re-signing nearly all of the squad, such as George Naylor Medalist Rick Goodchild.
The experienced trio Guy Knight, Chris Price and Nick Littler will again wear Sky Blue, while the flair-filled Jason Madonis heads into his second year at the club.
Speedy attacker Jarvis Paterson will line up again in 2025, scoring nine goals in his first year at the club.
Olympic have picked up midfielder Brendan Griffin (Albion Park White Eagles) to add some additional experience and versatility as they pursue further history.
Wollongong United FC
United finished the regular season in fourth and went on a sensational finals run, downing Cringila, Albion Park and Coniston on their way to the Grand Final.
Captain Danny Lazarevski’s red card within 10 minutes spurred a characterful performance in the big dance, going down 2-1 to rivals Olympic.
Rob Jonovski’s Wollongong United will endeavour to go one better in 2025 and have bolstered their attacking options in pursuit of such heights.
The Macedonia Park club have signed young wide player Tyler Cooper over the off-season, who will look to work his way into the Premier League first-grade set-up.
Cooper burst onto the Illawarra District League scene last year, scoring 45 goals for Shoalhaven across Youth Grade and First Grade.
Wingers Nav Darjani and Jordan Nikolovski have stuck around for this season, as has defender Lazarevski.
Also, Kyah Jovanovski has re-joined the club from Cringila and could have a decisive impact in United’s trophy bid.
