Football West News
Eight weeks after captain Luke Palmateer lifted the New Balance NPL trophy at Frank Drago Reserve, Bayswater City will begin a second successive Australian Championship campaign.
Unlike last year’s inaugural tournament, Matt Sparrow and his side start with a home fixture as they host Marconi Stallions this Saturday (4.30pm WST).
The two other teams in Group C are Sydney Olympic and Oakleigh Cannons.
The format remains the same: six home-and-away matches with the top two in each of the four groups advancing to the quarter-finals. What is different from 2025 is the introduction of the Penalty Shootout Bonus Point Model.
This means if a game ends level after 90 minutes during the group stages, the two sides will head to a penalty shootout where the winner will take home two points and the loser will take home the regular one point for a draw.
Tournament organisers say the model is “aimed at incentivising more attacking football during the 90 minutes, creating genuine excitement, and keeping fans and spectators engaged until the final kick”.
Clubs are again entitled to strengthen their squads by signing guest players for the Australian Championship and Bayswater have brought in young Perth Glory Academy defender Max Argent, Perth Azzurri midfielder Sean O’Connor and ex-Glory duo Joel Anasmo and Aidan Coyne.
Assessing the new faces, Sparrow said: “Joel is an exciting attacking player who gives us something a little different going forward. He’s got good ability, plenty of energy and isn’t afraid to take players on. We’re looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the team throughout the Championship.
“Max has come across from Glory and has really impressed us so far. He’s technically very good, can play anywhere down the left-hand side and has a really bright future ahead of him.
“Sean is another really good signing for the club. He gives us more options in midfield and brings real quality, calmness and composure on the ball.
“And Aidan is a versatile player who can operate in a number of positions, which gives us some really good options across the pitch. He brings experience, quality and a strong mentality to the group, and we’re pleased to have him on board for the Championship.”
Bayswater were unbeaten at Frank Drago Reserve in the league this season and will look to their home form as they bid to progress to the knockout stage. Last year they won all three Australian Championship fixtures on their own patch. However, one point from nine on the road meant they failed to make it out of the group.
Bayswater are selling individual match ticket and three-game packages for their home matches. Details here: https://www.intix.com.au/org/bayswater-city-sc
SBS will exclusively broadcast Thursday night (SBS2) and Saturday (SBS) matches, while all other games stream on Football Australia’s YouTube channel and SBS On Demand.
Bayswater City Australian Championship fixtures
Saturday 17 October
BAYSWATER CITY v Marconi Stallions (4.30pm WST)
SBS on Demand / Football Australia YouTube
Sunday 25 October
Sydney Olympic v BAYSWATER CITY (12pm WST)
SBS on Demand / Football Australia YouTube
Sunday 1 November
BAYSWATER CITY v Oakleigh Cannons (3pm WST)
SBS on Demand / Football Australia YouTube
Saturday 7 November
Marconi Stallions v BAYSWATER CITY (12pm WST)
SBS on Demand / Football Australia YouTube
Saturday 14 November
BAYSWATER CITY v Sydney Olympic (4.30pm WST)
SBS 2 / Football Australia YouTube
Saturday 21 November
Oakleigh Cannons v BAYSWATER CITY (12pm WST)
SBS 2 / Football Australia YouTube
