The 2023 season, started off with such promise and optimism and why not, it should be like that at the start of every year. But especially, since Sydney Olympic were the defending Minor Premiers from season 2022, it was only natural for the supporters to think that we would be right in the mix to win more silverware again this season.
How wrong we were.
As it turned out, we bombed spectacularly.
It all looked positive, as we raced out to 3 straight League victories to begin the season, beating Sutherland 3-0 at home at Belmore, then beating Manly and Sydney FC 3-1 and 3-2 respectively, away from home. We were sitting top of the table after 3 rounds.
From that exciting and promising start, we would only win 3 of our next 17 League matches, as we lost 9 of those and drew the other 5.
That run of form in the past would have seen certain people given their marching orders. How times change.
Our season was well and truly over by round 20, we managed to show some character and some improvement at the back end of the season, as in our last 10 League matches, we won 4, drew 4 and lost 2.
Our overall season record after the 30 rounds was, 10 wins, 9 draws and 11 losses, finishing the League season in 9th spot. A major disappointment.
Our attack was ranked 8th out of 16 and our defense was ranked 11th out of 16.
Having lost our entire backline and not being able to stick to the 1 goalkeeper for most of the year, hampered our season defensively, we were poor for most of the season in that department.
Up front it was slightly more positive, we actually had a good spread of goal scorers throughout the season, but we could never hold onto a lead and we would always concede at the worst times.
Despite the shocking form in the League, we could at least hold on to the fact that we were having a relatively good Cup run. Beating Blacktown 3-1, then Marconi 2-1 and South Coast Flame 3-0, before being knocked out by APIA at the Quarter-Final stage, which also meant we were knocked out of Qualifying for the Australia Cup Round of 32.
Our FFA Cup/Australia Cup performances since the competition’s inception in 2014, have been very poor.
When it comes to the NSW Waratah Cup, we have been irrelevant in that competition for some time, having not made a Final for 15 years and not won a State Cup since 1980.
Disappointing for a club, which prided itself for many decades, on having great runs in Cup competitions.
As much as the season was majorly disappointing, there were some bright spots.
A few younger players came in to the side during the season and took their opportunities in First Grade, these are the types of players the club needs to retain long term. Not bring in overhyped and overpriced a-league rejects.
The fact of the matter is, there are a few players at the club, who are simply not good enough to play for Sydney Olympic. There needs to be clean out. First priority should be to sign some capable defenders.
Regarding the National 2nd Division. Recently, Sydney Olympic as well as a few other clubs, announced their intentions to continue the process of application, to be involved in the supposed National 2nd Division, the club’s official statement was:
“We are delighted to inform our supporters and the public that our application for the National Second Tier has been officially submitted to Football Australia during the Request For Proposal phase. The next step involves Football Australia and its expert advisors conducting a thorough evaluation to determine the clubs that will be granted licenses for the National Second Tier. We eagerly await the outcome of this process as we continue our commitment to advancing football excellence.”
There is no transparency on what is being asked of clubs to commit to; to be part of this National 2nd Division and no one knows when exactly it is supposed to start.
This is not a criticism of the Board, but I wouldn’t trust Football Australia and their puppets at Football NSW to take out my weekly garbage, let alone to run a proper football competition.
Call me a cynic or a pessimist or whatever, but I personally have my reservations if this is the right move for the club or if the whole thing will even get off the ground.
I can’t imagine the corrupt fools running the sport in Australia given their history, would be that eager to see a Championship with the likes of Sydney Olympic, South Melbourne, Marconi, Melbourne Knights, Sydney United, Heidelberg, Adelaide City, APIA Leichhardt.
Furthermore, would any acceptance into this National 2nd Division mean we would have to be forced to change or do certain things – the club’s identity for instance? Would we field 2 sides, 1 in the NSW NPL and the other in this National 2nd Division? How much is the club paying for one of these participation licenses?
Many questions remain about the whole endeavour and we wait to see whether Football Australia answers any of them.
Enjoy the warmer months coming up and the off-season and keep an eye out for any further developments regarding Sydney Olympic.
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