Last weekend, the Marconi Stallions began their 30-round journey to claim the NPL NSW Premiership and Championship, Waratah Cup, and a spot in the Australia Cup Final Rounds. Head coach Peter Tsekenis has shown great ambition and trust in his side to overcome the early challenges of injuries and fitness issues suffered during their pre-season. Before Marconi faced Blacktown City in their Round 1 clash on Saturday, Tsekenis spoke to Front Page Football about the side's preparations for the new season and the goals he and his team will focus on in 2025.
The Marconi Stallions line up for a team photo ahead of their opening game of the 2025 NPL NSW season. (Image: Marconi Stallions)
The Marconi Stallions have begun the new 2025 NPL New South Wales campaign as the reigning champion after a successful pre-season where the side faced no losses. The Stallions retained most of their key players in the off-season but faced challenges in having a fully healthy team before their first match of the season. Despite these setbacks, head coach Peter Tsekenis is optimistic about his squad's preparation and the new signings that have come in.
In their last two pre-season friendlies, Marconi defeated the Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners' NPL sides, who are both competing in the NPL NSW this season, with a 2–0 and 3–1 result, respectively.
"[Pre-season] has been a little bit interrupted. We've got some early injuries and some boys that had come back from surgery, so we haven't had the full squad available, but the ones that have [been available] have showed some really good signs," Tsekenis told Front Page Football recently.
"I think no one has really surprised me (during pre-season) because I know what they can do and why they're here at the club. I'm happy where they are at in terms of preparations so they can give me a performance and confirm why they are here."
Marconi has brought five signings into the squad, crucially keeping its core players in the team and adding the likes of Tyren Burnie, Lachlan Griffiths, and Jake Trew into their ranks. Each of these players has experience playing in the NPL NSW as a star man for their previous sides, potentially filling in the shoes of Marconi's departing players from last season, such as Nathan Millgate, Hiro Aoyama, and James Temelkovski.
"They have been fantastic. Griffo (Lachlan Griffiths) picked up a knock, so he has missed a little bit of pre-season, but from what I have seen, they have blended in very well. I have brought them for a specific reason, and I think they will fit in well and do a good job for us," Tsekenis added.
Jawad Rezai is also among the new signings, a Perth-born Afghan international playing his first season in the NPL NSW following two seasons in NPL Victoria. Rezai will hope to gain minutes after a tough pre-season marred by an injury. When talking to FPF, he gave an insight into his focus and goals for this season as a new signing.
"It is a new league, new city, and an exciting challenge, so I definitely want to get fit, back to the way I was," Rezai explained.
"I couldn't come during the December break because of my surgery, so I came after Christmas, and I have loved it so far; very hospitable. Tseko (Tsekenis) and the whole squad have been very welcoming to me, so it's been good.
"The main goal, collectively, is to win as many things as possible, and individually, I want to score goals and get assists, give good performances consistently and just push myself, taking it one week at a time and see where it takes me."
The goal of winning everything is shared among the Marconi squad, especially by their captain, Marko Jesic, who is playing his 10th season for the club in 2025. It is a milestone that should be applauded by NPL fans alike, as Jesic has been a crucial team player and a calm head for the younger players in the squad.
"It doesn't feel like a decade, but it has gone by pretty quickly, to be honest. I played here when I was a junior so it was always a thing to come back and continue playing at a club like Marconi with the history that it's got," Jesic explained.
"I have just enjoyed every single season playing here, especially last year, getting into the Final and winning it, so hopefully we can replicate that this year. I think every trophy that is up for grabs we are looking to put our hands on. That's the goal. Nothing is impossible."
The Stallions played their Round 1 clash against Blacktown City last Saturday at home. A challenging contest that ended in a 1–1 draw saw Jesic get off the mark with a goal, and Tyren Burnie earned a Team of the Week slot for his performance. The game was a solid start for Tsekenis and Marconi to the season and a good performance to build on.
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"We've had some good hit-outs, and I'm quite happy with everyone else. Some players are touch and go if they are going to start at the beginning of the season, but I think we've got enough there to start off on the right foot. Hopefully, when everyone comes back, we will be stronger than ever," the head coach said.
Tsekenis also reassured that no pressure was added from last season, where he used criticisms from the media to motivate his side as a factor of their success, and that his side is focused on the season at hand.
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. We know as a group that we are better than that, so we are always striving to be the best we can be. We don't let outside noise in. Hopefully, they can tip us again to be lower on the table, so I'm not really too fussed about that."
Marconi would like to mirror their start last season when the team won seven of their first ten matches. With some exciting new signings and a familiar squad, the club can replicate that start or be even better as they challenge for the Premiership and Waratah Cup.
If the cards go their way, the Stallions could achieve two consecutive NPL NSW Grand Final wins, a feat that hasn't been done at the club since 1972. Their next game comes this Saturday, where Marconi will travel to Popondetta Park to face Mt Druitt Town Rangers, who returned to the NPL NSW after winning the FNSW League One title last year.
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