1996–97 National Soccer League

The 1996–97 National Soccer League season, was the 21st season of the National Soccer League in Australia.

NSL 1996-97
LeagueNational Soccer League
SportAssociation football
Duration1996–97
Number of teams14
NSL season
ChampionsBrisbane Strikers
Minor premiersSydney United
Top scorerDavid Zdrilic (21)

Teams
Adelaide City
Brisbane Strikers
Canberra Cosmos
Gippsland Falcons
Newcastle Breakers
Perth Glory
West Adelaide
Wollongong City
Melbourne
Sydney
Melbourne teams:
Collingwood Warriors
Melbourne Knights
South Melbourne
Sydney teams:
Marconi-Fairfield
UTS Olympic
Sydney United
Location of teams in 1996–97 National Soccer League
Team Home city Home ground
Adelaide CityAdelaideHindmarsh Stadium
Brisbane StrikersBrisbaneLang Park
Canberra CosmosCanberraBruce Stadium
Collingwood WarriorsMelbourneVictoria Park
Olympic Park
Gippsland FalconsMorwellFalcons Park
Marconi-StallionsSydneyMarconi Stadium
Melbourne KnightsMelbourneKnights Stadium
Newcastle BreakersNewcastleBreakers Stadium
Perth GloryPerthPerth Oval
South MelbourneMelbourneLakeside Stadium
Sydney UnitedSydneyEdensor Park
UTS OlympicSydneyBelmore Oval
West AdelaideAdelaideHindmarsh Stadium
Wollongong CityWollongongBrandon Park

Season overview

It was contested by 14 teams, and Brisbane Strikers won the championship. Perth Glory and Collingwood Warriors entered the competition.

League standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Sydney United 26 17 5 4 67 33 +34 56 1997 National Soccer League Finals
2 Brisbane Strikers (C) 26 15 2 9 55 40 +15 47 1996-97 National Soccer League Champions
3 South Melbourne 26 14 4 8 39 25 +14 46 1997 National Soccer League Finals
4 Adelaide City 26 11 10 5 32 22 +10 43
5 Marconi Stallions 26 12 4 10 41 37 +4 40
6 Melbourne Knights 26 11 6 9 36 32 +4 39
7 Perth Glory 26 11 5 10 48 41 +7 38
8 West Adelaide 26 10 3 13 39 51 −12 33
9 UTS Olympic 26 8 8 10 41 46 −5 32
10 Wollongong Wolves 26 8 8 10 42 48 −6 32
11 Newcastle Breakers 26 7 9 10 40 46 −6 30
12 Gippsland Falcons 26 8 6 12 33 41 −8 30
13 Collingwood Warriors (R) 26 6 9 11 32 44 −12 27 Disbanded at end of season
14 Canberra Cosmos 26 2 5 19 30 69 −39 11
Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (R) Relegated.

Finals
  Semifinals Wk1 Semifinals Wk2 Preliminary final Grand final
                               
  1  Sydney United  0 —  Sydney United  2 (2)    Sydney United  0
  2  Brisbane Strikers  1 —  Brisbane Strikers (a)  1 (2)              Brisbane Strikers  2
                               
                     Sydney United  1        
  3  South Melbourne  4 3 (7)              South Melbourne  0        
  6  Melbourne Knights  1 0 (1)                        
             South Melbourne  1                
             Adelaide City  0                
  4  Adelaide City  0 4 (4)                        
  5  Marconi Fairfield  3 0 (3)                        

Grand Final
Main article: 1997 National Soccer League Grand Final
Brisbane Strikers2 – 0Sydney United
Farina  47'
Brown  69'		 (report)
Attendance: 40,446
Referee: Simon Micallef

Individual awards

References
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