Picton had a fantastic first season back in the Premier League, with a commendable fifth spot and a Finals appearance, where they were narrowly beaten by Wollongong Olympic. They did that with largely the same squad that had taken the District League title the year before, which makes it even more of an achievement.

What did change, though, was their home form. In the District League, Picton had been unbeaten at home. In 2016, the Rangers performed better on their travels than they did at Hume Oval, where they won only four matches.

Goals were hard to come by in 2016, too. It is extraordinary that a team with only 28 goals from 22 matches should make the Finals, but credit to Picton for a fine season overall.

Players to watch

Picton’s squad is much the same now as it was when they left the District League in 2015. It served them well in 2016, with Daniel Goodhew, Dayne Morley and Mitch Hall ending the last campaign as Picton’s leading scorers. They are all there again for 2017.

Matt Tesoriero drew a blank in 2016 after moving to Picton from Port Kembla, but he has already got his name on the scoresheet in this season’s Fraternity Cup, so coach Morley will be hoping his goal drought is over.

Two new signings for Picton in the close season: Brendan Berkeley in from the NPL3 outfit Granville Rage; and Rhys Lloyd, who has been rising up through the ranks at Macarthur Rams and was a fixture in their under-20s squad for the last two seasons. These players will have big shoes to fill with the retirement of Aidan Matthews.

Season expectation

Picton punched well above their weight in 2016, but with so few squad changes going into 2017, I fear other sides may fancy their chances against them this season. They really need to be scoring more if they are to challenge for the Finals again. In this stronger-looking IPL, I tip Picton to slip back to ninth spot on the ladder at the end of the regular season.