The top seven teams from the 2024 BPL season are back in 2025, joined by the 2024 Bankstown District League Premiers, the Greenacre Eagles, to create an 8-team lineup for this year’s competition.
The BPL will feature a thrilling 21-round format, with each team facing off against every other team three times throughout the season.
With several high-profile signings for 2025, the competition is set to be even more exciting and fiercely competitive than ever before.
Here is how each team is looking ahead of the new season:
Bankstown Sports Stars
Last Season: 7th Place
After a decade-long absence from the Premier League, Bankstown Sports Stars made an impressive return in 2024, finishing 7th out of 10 teams without looking out of place. With a season under their belt and some key changes in the offseason, the Stars are eager to show they’re ready to contend for a spot at the top this year.
Most of their squad has returned from the 2024 season, including key players like Esoghume Dominic, who joined mid-season from Central Sydney Wolves, and veteran goalkeeper Hassan Hallak. In their bid to improve this season, they’ve added new talent, including Jake Casacchia and player/coach John Theophanous from Georges River Thistle, along with 2022 BDAFA runner-up Player of the Year Elliot Gurney, who is returning to the competition after playing in the Illawarra Premier League. Additionally, they’ve promoted players from their strong U18s team.
With a solid foundation from 2024, Bankstown Sports Stars are hopeful their offseason signings will propel them into finals contention. They will need to see improvement in their defensive performance at the start of the season if they want to make a strong push in 2025.
Bankstown Sports Strikers Heat
Last Season: 6th Place
The newly rebranded Bankstown Sports Strikers Heat had a below-par season by their usual standards in 2024. However, with significant changes in the offseason, there’s renewed excitement around what lies ahead for the Strikers Heat as they enter the 2025 season with an entirely new squad.
This fresh-faced team, donning the green and gold for 2025, is no stranger to playing together. Many of the players have previously represented clubs such as Brighton Heat and Apia Leichardt Juniors, bringing with them years of experience and a high level of skill. Expect them to make a strong impact on the BPL competition this season.
The Strikers Heat were crowned champions in 2023 after reaching consecutive grand finals in 2022 and 2023. While they fell short of making the finals in 2024, they will be determined to push themselves back into the top four and prove they’re back in contention for glory.
Central Sydney Wolves
Last Season: 4th Place
After a strong showing in 2024, where Central Sydney Wolves made a deep run into the finals, the team is determined to bounce back from their disappointing exit and take it one step further in 2025 to lift the trophy.
The core of their squad remains intact, with key players returning for another campaign, and the leadership of their inspirational captain, Collins Udaya, continuing to drive the team forward with the help of a few new additions for the season.
The Wolves’ attacking prowess was their standout feature in 2024, averaging over three goals per game and netting an impressive 55 goals throughout the season. If they can tighten up their defence, they have the potential to climb even higher up the ladder this year.
With a tough pre-season behind them, the Yellow & Black Pack are primed to start strong and are quietly confident that 2025 could be another successful season, with hopes of adding silverware to their collection.
Greenacre Eagles
Last Season: 1st Place (Promoted, Bankstown District League)
The newly promoted Greenacre Eagles will be aiming to establish themselves in the 2025 BPL competition after an impressive 2024 season in the BDL, where they claimed the premiership but fell short in the final’s series.
Riding the wave of their success, Greenacre has strengthened their squad for the step up in competition. The club has added key players like Ibrahim Kabia from North Bankstown BDL and Mahmoud Halawani, who has experience in the Canberra NPL, while also retaining core players such as Abdul Zahra, Amir Ibrahim, and Omar Elmustapha.
While some of the standout players from their promotion campaign have moved on to play Friday Night Football, the Eagles have shown promising signs in their preseason trials, particularly with strong performances against Football Canterbury’s ‘BBC’ clubs. Their new signings are starting to blend well with the team.
Greenacre’s squad is a mix of youthful energy and experience, and while fitness and energy levels could be a concern early in the season during Ramadan, their confident they will be competitive this season.
Panania Diggers
Last Season: 2nd Place (Runners-up)
Panania Diggers were one of the standout improvers of the 2024 season, but despite their remarkable run, they fell just short of claiming the BPL trophy, losing a thrilling 5-4 in what was possibly the most exciting Grand Final in BDAFA history.
The core of Panania’s team remains intact for 2025, with all key players returning to the club, along with the welcome addition of shot stopper Logan Hession, who has been a crucial part of their success in the past. A youthful side with another year of experience under their belt, Panania also gained valuable insight from their first taste of Grand Final football in 2024. This blend of youthful energy and newfound experience will fuel their confidence as they aim to go one better this season.
With high expectations following their strong 2024 campaign, Panania enters 2025 as one of the front-runners. With several players who have been with the Premier League team for a while, bringing both experience and quality, they will undoubtedly have a target on their back as they look to build on their success and challenge for the title once again.
Padstow Hornets
Last Season: 3rd Place (Champions)
Despite a slow start to the 2024 season, Padstow Hornets finished the season in emphatic fashion and went on to win the Premier League Grand Final for a 5th time in six full seasons and prove again why they are the team to beat year on year.
Whilst the Hornets have retained their key players from the 2024 season with notable players including the likes of 2024 BPL Bronze Medallist Tom Kovacs, Mike Cklamovski, Manuel Angelopoulos and Sean O’Connell they have also picked up Nathan Millgate for 2025. Nathan Millgate joins from 2024 NPL winners Marconi Stallions where he notably started in the 2024 NPL Men’s grand final at Commbank Stadium. Nathan comes in to bolster what is already a stacked Padstow Hornets team.
Expect business as usual for Padstow Hornets, the question is will Padstow Hornets claim the trophy again in 2025.
Padstow United
Last Season: 1st Place
Padstow United were the most improved team of 2024, finishing as premiers and remaining undefeated throughout the regular season. Unfortunately, a series of key injuries in the lead-up to the finals saw them suffer consecutive losses, preventing them from reaching the grand final.
For 2025, Padstow United have brought back their entire 2024 squad, with Sergio Tarazona returning as both head coach and a player, bringing the same renewed confidence that was vital to their success last year. The dynamic duo of Rafa Coutinho and 2024 Player of the Year John Martinez are back to lead the attack, and opposing defences will need to stay sharp to prevent them from exploiting any space in the box.
After such a strong season, Padstow United are determined to go one step further and secure a grand final spot this year. With their full squad returning, they’ll undoubtedly be one of the teams to beat in 2025.
Yagoona Lions
Last Season: 5th Place
The Yagoona Lions narrowly missed out on finals football in 2024, finishing 5th, just 3 points behind 4th-placed Central Sydney Wolves. As a powerhouse in the BPL for several years, the Lions are determined to return to the finals this season, and they’ve been busy making moves during the offseason.
On paper, Yagoona looks extremely strong for 2025, with several standout signings bolstering their squad. Among the key additions are Shayne Ardle from the Illawarra Premier League, bringing NPL experience with Mt Druitt Town Rangers; former Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Parramatta Eagles goalkeeper Marcello Gonzalez; 2023 BDAFA Golden Boot and Player of the Year winner Jamie Bazevski, who joins after a stint in the NPL; and the major signing of the offseason, Tommy Markovski, who returns to the club and will need no introduction.
With a revamped squad and a strong finish to the 2024 season, where they won their final four matches, Yagoona will be looking to build on that momentum and start the 2025 season fast. With high expectations for the year ahead, all eyes will be on O’Neill Park as the Lions aim to reclaim their spot in the BPL finals.
