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)
National Soccer League seasons

Teams

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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 City Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium
Brisbane Strikers Brisbane Lang Park
Canberra Cosmos Canberra Bruce Stadium
Collingwood Warriors Melbourne Victoria Park
Olympic Park
Gippsland Falcons Morwell Falcons Park
Marconi-Stallions Sydney Marconi Stadium
Melbourne Knights Melbourne Knights Stadium
Newcastle Breakers Newcastle Breakers Stadium
Perth Glory Perth Perth Oval
South Melbourne Melbourne Lakeside Stadium
Sydney United Sydney Edensor Park
UTS Olympic Sydney Belmore Oval
West Adelaide Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium
Wollongong City Wollongong Brandon Park

Season overview

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

Regular season

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League table

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Sydney United 26 17 5 4 67 33 +34 56 Qualification for the Finals series
2 Brisbane Strikers (C) 26 15 2 9 55 40 +15 47
3 South Melbourne 26 14 4 8 39 25 +14 46
4 Adelaide City 26 11 10 5 32 22 +10 43
5 Marconi Fairfield 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 26 6 9 11 32 44 −12 27
14 Canberra Cosmos 26 2 5 19 30 69 −39 11
Updated to match(es) played on unknown. Source: rsssf.com
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions

Finals series

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Grand Final

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Brisbane Strikers2 – 0Sydney United
Farina   47'
Brown   69'
(report)
Attendance: 40,446
Referee: Simon Micallef

Individual awards

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References

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