1996–97 National Soccer League Explained

NSL 1996-97
League:	National Soccer League
Sport:	Association football
Duration:	1996–97
No Of Teams:	14
Season:	NSL season
Season Champs:	Brisbane Strikers
Season Champ Name:	Champions
League Champs:	Sydney United
League Champ Name:	Minor premiers
Top Scorer:	David Zdrilic (21)
Seasonslist:	List of NSL seasons
Seasonslistnames:	National Soccer League
Prevseason Link:	1995–96 National Soccer League
Prevseason Year:	1995–96
Nextseason Link:	1997–98 National Soccer League
Nextseason Year:	1997–98

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

Teams

Team	Home city	Home ground
Adelaide City		Hindmarsh Stadium
		Lang Park
		Bruce Stadium
Collingwood Warriors		Victoria Park Olympic Park
		Falcons Park
Marconi-Stallions		Marconi Stadium
Melbourne Knights	Melbourne	Knights Stadium
Newcastle Breakers		Breakers Stadium
Perth Glory		Perth Oval
South Melbourne	Melbourne	Lakeside Stadium
Sydney United	Sydney	Edensor Park
UTS Olympic	Sydney	Belmore Oval
West Adelaide	Adelaide	Hindmarsh Stadium
Wollongong City		Brandon Park

Season overview

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

Regular season

League table

Finals series

Grand Final

See main article: 1997 National Soccer League Grand Final.

Individual awards

• Player of the Year: Kresimir Marusic (Sydney United)
• U-21 Player of the Year: Kasey Wehrman (Brisbane Strikers)
• Top Scorer: David Zdrilic (Sydney United)  - 21 goals
• Coach of the Year: Branko Culina (Sydney United)

References

• - NSL Awards
• Australia - List of final tables (RSSSF)