Northern Inland Premier League News

⚽ NORTHERN vs SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS – TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

After speaking with a number of local coaches and using the statistics and player performances tracked throughout the season, I’m excited to finally announce the initial squads for the Northern vs Southern Conference All-Star Game.

The teams have been selected with input from local coaches, alongside the player performances, results and statistics that have been tracked throughout the 2026 NIPL season.

📅 EVENT DETAILS

🏟️ Date: Saturday, 17 October
📍 Location: Tamworth

The preferred venue is currently Scully Park, with North Companions’ home ground as a backup option if Scully Park is unavailable.

Hopefully there aren’t too many club presentation nights scheduled for the same evening! 🤞

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👔 COACHES WANTED

I’m looking at taking a similar approach to State of Origin, with coaches selected from outside the current local First Grade coaching group to lead the two representative sides.

I already have someone interested in coaching the Southern Conference team, but I’m still looking for the right person to take charge of the Northern Conference side.

If you’re interested, or know someone who would be a great fit, please send me a message or tag them in the comments.

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🔄 POSSIBLE CONFERENCE CHANGE

Following discussions with coaches, there has also been a suggestion to move Namoi United into the Northern Conference for the All-Star event.

This would create an even six-club Northern Conference and six-club Southern Conference, which could make the representative split more balanced.

I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on this idea as well. 👇

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🔵 NORTHERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

* W. Perram — Demon Knights
* S. Tanner — North Armidale
* J. Barden — Demon Knights
* T. Burton — Demon Knights
* S. Toleyi — Inverell
* T. McCann — North Armidale
* J. Tanner — Armidale Westside
* D. Ibrahim — Demon Knights
* S. Constance — Demon Knights
* J. Saxby — Armidale Westside
* C. Macgregor — Demon Knights
* A. Jarullah — Inverell
* P. Leo — Inverell
* B. Pedlow — Inverell
* L. Williamson — Demon Knights
* H. Morrell — East Armidale

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🟢 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

* J. Magaan — Moore Creek
* D. Snider — OVA
* B. Fergie — OVA
* H. Davidson — Moore Creek
* J. Olelewe — OVA
* M. Rushbrook — Moore Creek
* L. Johnson — North Companions
* R. Russell — OVA
* R. Davidson — Moore Creek
* C. Hargraves — Moore Creek
* N. Tapp — OVA
* C. Lattimore — OVA
* M. Crawford — OVA
* M. Sinclair — Hillvue
* I. Fernandez — Moore Creek
* A. Hall — North Companions

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⭐ HONOURABLE MENTIONS

🔵 Northern Conference

* R. Araujo — Namoi United — Would have been a certain selection, but is believed to no longer be in Australia.
* C. Brayshaw — Namoi United — Normally a strong contender, but injury has kept him out for much of the season.
* A. Araujo — Inverell
* T. Davis — North Armidale
* L. Harris — North Armidale
* M. Styles — Demon Knights
* S. Kifara — East Armidale
* J. Villacis — Inverell
* Y. Hakrash — Demon Knights
* J. Brayshaw — Namoi United

🟢 Southern Conference

* D. McCormack — Moore Creek
* I. Tapeau — OVA
* C. Weir — OVA
* L. Martin — North Companions
* M. Hatton — Tamworth FC
* B. Jarrett — OVA
* W. Albertson — North Companions

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These selections are based on the information, performances and feedback available throughout the season, so there will always be some tough omissions. The aim is to recognise the standout players from across the competition and create two squads capable of putting on a great spectacle.

What do you think of the squads? Who would you have picked differently? And who should coach the Northern Conference team? 👇⚽

NIPL Round 20 Preview & Predictions — 2026 Season

Round 20 arrives with the competition entering the business end of the season. At the top, every point is becoming increasingly valuable, while several teams will be desperate to build momentum and finish the season strongly.

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🟠 Armidale Westside vs Moore Creek Goats

Form Guide
Westside: 🤝🤝🤝🤝❌
Goats: 🟢🟢🤝🟢🟢

Westside have become incredibly difficult to beat, but their recent run has been dominated by draws. The Goats, meanwhile, continue to find ways to win and have looked particularly dangerous going forward.

Westside will need a disciplined defensive performance to frustrate one of the competition’s strongest attacking sides. If they can stay in the contest deep into the match, they are capable of making things uncomfortable. However, the Goats’ depth and form make them favourites.

🔮 Prediction: Westside 1-4 Goats

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🟡 Hillvue vs Namoi United

Form Guide
Hillvue: 🟢🔴🔴🔴🔴
Namoi: 🤝🤝🟢🔴🔴

This shapes as a fascinating contest between two sides searching for consistency. Hillvue have endured a difficult stretch, while Namoi will be determined to respond after back-to-back losses.

Both teams will see this as a genuine opportunity for three points, making it one of the harder matches to predict. Namoi’s attacking options could prove decisive, but Hillvue will be desperate to respond at home.

🔮 Prediction: Hillvue 1-2 Namoi United

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🔵 OVA vs East Armidale

Form Guide
OVA: 🟢🟢🟢🟢🟢
East Armidale: 🤝🤝🔴🔴🔴

OVA are the hottest team in the competition right now. Five consecutive wins have seen them build enormous momentum, and they will be strong favourites against an East Armidale side going through a difficult period.

East will need to produce one of their best defensive performances of the season to stay with OVA. The home side, however, have quality throughout the pitch and should control the contest.

🔮 Prediction: OVA 5-0 East Armidale

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🔴 Inverell vs South United

Form Guide
Inverell: 🟢🔴🤝🟢🟢
Souths: 🤝🔴🔴🔴🔴

Inverell will see this as an important opportunity to keep pressure on the teams around them. After some inconsistent results, they have shown encouraging signs recently and will be looking to continue building towards the finals.

South United have continued to battle but have found results difficult to come by. They will need a huge effort to contain Inverell’s attacking threats.

🔮 Prediction: Inverell 5-0 South United

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⚫ Demon Knights vs North Armidale

Form Guide
Demon Knights: 🟢🟢🤝🟢🔴
North Armidale: 🤝🟢🤝🟢🟢

This could be the Match of the Round.

DK remain one of the competition’s strongest teams, but North Armidale arrive in excellent form and have quietly become one of the most dangerous sides in recent weeks. Their confidence will be high following several strong performances.

The Knights have the quality to win any game, but North Armidale’s recent momentum means this could be far closer than many expect.

🔮 Prediction: Demon Knights 2-2 North Armidale

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🔵 Tamworth FC vs North Companions

Form Guide
Tamworth FC: 🔴🔴🤝🟢🔴
North Companions: 🔴🤝🤝🤝🟢

Both teams come into this match looking for consistency. FC have struggled to put together results, while Northies finally found a much-needed win last time out.

That recent victory could give Northies the confidence they need. However, FC will be determined to respond at home and this could develop into a tight, physical contest.

🔮 Prediction: Tamworth FC 1-2 North Companions

NORTHERN vs SOUTHERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS

A little update on the Northern vs Southern Conference All-Stars idea 👀⚽

I’m currently in the process of putting together the best 15 players from each conference, with the help of coaches from around the competition to make sure the teams are selected as fairly as possible.

The goal is to recognise the standout players from the 2026 season and put together two squads that genuinely represent the best talent from each side of the competition.

📋 Northern Conference – 15 players
📋 Southern Conference – 15 players

I’m hoping to have the teams announced sometime next week.

I’m also currently looking at potential coaches for both All-Star teams.

👔 Who would you like to see coach the Northern and Southern sides?

I’m completely open to suggestions, so drop your ideas in the comments!

More details on the proposed All-Star event to come. 👀🔥

Who makes your 15?

NIPL JULY COACH OF THE MONTH – NOMINEES

With four rounds making up the July period, there were some outstanding coaching performances across the competition. Here are our three nominees for Coach of the Month.

🔴 Tim Coates

Record: 4 Wins, 0 Draws, 0 Losses

OVA were perfect across the four rounds:

• 🟢 2-0 win vs Tamworth FC – Round 11
• 🟢 4-1 win vs Namoi United – Round 15
• 🟢 1-0 win vs South United – Round 16
• 🟢 6-1 win vs Inverell – Round 17

Goals: 13 scored | 2 conceded | +11 GD

A perfect 4-from-4 record, including a huge 6-1 victory over title contenders Inverell, makes the OVA coach one of the clear favourites.

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🔵 J. Saxby

Record: 1 Wins, 3 Draws, 0 Losses

Westside were also unbeaten throughout the period:

• ⚠️ 2-2 vs Souths United – Round 11
• 🟢 3-2 win vs East Armidale – Round 15
• ⚠️ 2-2 vs North Armidale – Round 16
• ⚠️ 2-2 vs Tamworth FC– Round 17

Goals: 9 scored | 8 conceded | +1 GD

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⚫ Rob James

Record: 3 Wins, 0 Draws, 0 Losses

The Knights produced a perfect record across their three matches during the period:

• 🟢 2-0 win vs North Companions – Round 11
• 🟢 4-2 win vs South United – Round 15
• 🟢 3-2 win vs Hillvue – Round 17

Goals: 9 scored | 4 conceded | +5 GD

Three wins from three and victories against teams fighting at different ends of the competition. The Knights continued to build serious momentum at the business end of the season.

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🔴 Neil Wheaton

Record: 2 Wins, 1 Draws, 1 Losses

The Redman produced a good record across their four matches during the period:

• 🔴 3-1 lose vs Moore Creek – Round 11
• 🟢 7-1 win vs Hillvue Rovers– Round 15
• ⚠️ 2-2 vs Westside – Round 16
• 🟢 4-1 win vs East Armidale– Round 17

Goals: 16 scored | 5 conceded | +11GD

NIPL Player of the Month Nominees (July)

⭐ H. Lawlor (North Armidale) – LW

* 1 Goal against Hillvue
* blank
* 1 Goal against Westside
* 1 Goal against East

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⭐ L. Harris (North Armidale ) – CM

* 2 Goals against Hillvue
* Blank
* 1 Goal against Westside
* 1 Goal against East

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⭐ S. Kifara (East Armidale) – LW

* 1 Goal against Westside
* Blank
* 1 Goal against Northies
* 1 Goal against North Armidale

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⭐ Y. Hakrash (Demon Knights ) – LW

* 3 Goals against Souths
* 2 Goals against Northies
* Blank
* Blank
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⭐ I. Tapeau(OVA) – RW

* 2 Goals against Namoi
* Blank
* Blank
* 1 Goal against Inverell

NIPL TEAM OF THE WEEK – CATCH-UP ROUND

With four matches played across the catch-up fixtures, there were some outstanding individual performances. Here’s our Team of the Week, set up in a 4-3-3 formation.

🧤 GK – Moore Creek
* J. Magann (2 Clean sheets)

🛡️ DEFENCE

RB – Moore Creek
* M. Rushbrook (3 goals) An extraordinary hat-trick from right wingback in the 6-0 win. One of the most impressive performances of the season.

CB – North Armidale
* T. Mccann (1 clean sheet)

CB – Moore Creek
* H. Davidson (1 goal and 2 clean sheets)

LB – North Armidale
J. Davison (1 clean sheets)

⚙️ MIDFIELD

CM – Demon Knights
C. McIntyre– A goal and another composed performance in a tight contest against Inverell.

CM – Inverell
A. Jarullah – Made an impact from the bench and helped Inverell secure a massive 3-2 win over DK.

⚡ ATTACK

LM – North Armidale
T. Davies – Made an impact from the bench and helped the Redman to secure 3-0 win over Hillvue.

ST – Inverell
B. Pedlow – Two goals in Inverell’s important 3-2 win over Demon Knights.

ST– North Armidale
L. Harris – Scored and helped drive North Armidale to a convincing clean-sheet victory.

RM – Moore Creek
N. Brown – Scored the only goal in the Goats’ 1-0 victory over Namoi.

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⭐ PLAYER OF THE CATCH-UP ROUND

M. Rushbrook – Moore Creek 🏆

Three goals from right wingback in a dominant 6-0 victory is almost impossible to overlook. Rushbrook was the standout performer of the catch-up fixtures and earns Player of the Round honours.

NIPL 2026 Catch-Up Fixtures — Predictions

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🟢 Thursday — Moore Creek vs Hillvue

Form Guide
Moore Creek: ❌✅✅✅🤝
Hillvue: ✅❌✅❌❌

Moore Creek will be desperate to bounce back after their recent defeat in the Super League and strengthen their position at the top end of the competition. Hillvue have shown throughout the season that they’re capable of producing big performances, but their recent form makes this a difficult assignment.

The Goats should have too much attacking quality, particularly if they can establish control early. Hillvue will need to keep the game tight for as long as possible.

🔮 Prediction: Moore Creek 4-1 Hillvue

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🔴 Saturday — North Armidale vs Hillvue

It’s a quick turnaround for Hillvue, who face another difficult assignment just days after taking on Moore Creek.

Form Guide
North Armidale: ❌🤝✅🤝✅
Hillvue: ✅❌✅❌❌

North Armidale have been inconsistent but have shown enough recently to suggest they’re capable of making this a very competitive match. Hillvue’s biggest concern could be fatigue, particularly if Thursday’s match takes a physical toll.

North Armidale should see this as an excellent opportunity to claim three points, especially with their recent victory providing some confidence.

🔮 Prediction: North Armidale 2-1 Hillvue

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🔥 Inverell vs Demon Knights — Match of the Catch-Ups

Form Guide
Inverell: ✅✅❌🤝✅
Demon Knights: ✅✅✅🤝✅

This is the blockbuster.

Inverell have had a few bumps in the road recently, while Demon Knights continue to produce some of the strongest form in the competition. The Knights have been particularly impressive defensively and have developed into a genuine threat to the teams fighting at the top.

Inverell’s home advantage could be crucial, but DK’s current momentum makes them very difficult to tip against.

🔮 Prediction: Inverell 1-2 Demon Knights

⭐ Player to watch

P. Leo (Inverell) — If Inverell are going to take the points, they’ll need their attacking stars to deliver.

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🟡 Namoi United vs Moore Creek

Form Guide
Namoi United: ❌🤝🤝✅🤝
Moore Creek: ❌✅✅✅❌

Namoi have quietly been putting together some respectable performances despite struggling for consistency. They’ll have a huge challenge against Moore Creek.

The Goats should control possession and territory for long periods, but Namoi have enough attacking ability to cause problems if they get opportunities.

🔮 Prediction: Moore Creek 3-1 Namoi United