O’Connor Knights striker Danny Krajacic believes his side are ready for a return to the top four of NPL2 as the nine clubs gear up for the prospect of promotion in 2020.

O’Connor laboured in 2015 & 2016 with second-last finishes, before rocketing up to second spot and a Grand Final berth in 2017, where they fell 6-1 to ANU at Woden Park.

In 2018 however they were denied a spot in the top four on goal difference after a 3-3 draw on the final day between ANU and Weston Molonglo, but Krajacic says that this year’s squad has a feel about it like that of the 2017 season.

“We are really confident with our squad for this season that we are going to be able to improve on last year,” Krajacic said.

“We have plugged a couple of gaps that we had which was very important to us, and our squad is a lot bigger than last year so we should have a fair bit of depth to cover us for the whole season.”

The Knights have said farewell to a small number of players over the off-season but have seen the return of Marcin Zygmunt and Lachlan Riddell, who were both part of the 2017 campaign, as well as recruiting a number of youngsters.

“We have brought in a couple of really good young guys,” Krajacic said.

“They are bringing a lot of enthusiasm and they are challenging for spots which is exactly what we need.”

“There is a lot more of a feel like two years ago, than last year.”

With the introduction of NPL1 & NPL2 from this season, NPL2 clubs are preparing to welcome a relegated NPL1 side at the end of this season with promotion coming in for the 2020 season.

Promotion will be decided based on the Premiership, with the side finishing top of the table following the regular season to join NPL1 the season after and Krajacic agreed that the idea will keep sides pushing hard rather than settling for a spot in the four.

“Naturally,” he said.

“I think you can see it in the A-League a bit, where the target is to get into that top six.”

“Being from a European background, to me winning the league is arguably more important.”

“Being the best team over the season carries a lot of prestige.”

“I have been lucky enough to win Grand Finals, and I’ve lost a lot more than I’ve won.”
“But to me, coming into Round 18 and winning the league there is nothing better, regardless of whether there’s a reward or not.”

“But cementing that spot is now so important [with prospect of Promotion].”

The forward firmly believes the gap has closed between teams in the two divisions and said that getting back into NPL1 will be far from an easy task for whichever side goes down as the NPL2 sides get stronger.

“This year a lot of the [NPL2] clubs are going to be trying to secure players and have a good core to build for next year.”

“To be honest I think it’s had a really good impact on a lot of the NPL1 clubs as well.”

“We played Monaro in pre-season and I was extremely impressed with their squad.

“I’ve played them in pre-season the last couple of years and they’ve improved dramatically.

“Clubs have had to look at themselves and decide if they are going to take this seriously or not.

“In my mind we’ve got a pretty clear indication of the lower teams in the NPL1, and I think 1 or 2 clubs if they go down, they won’t be able to go back up.”

As well as predicting a more successful season for his team in 2019, Krajacic is confident that he is returning to his best form after a strong pre-season following a tough 2018 season where he netted just five times in the league.

Krajacic finished second in the 2016 Golden Boot race with 16 goals for ANU, before scoring 18 to lead the Knights to second in 2017 and is confident about a return to form this season.

“I’m feeling really good, feeling like I’m back to my old self,” he said.

“Last year was a very disrupted season, I went overseas for four weeks and by the time I got my fitness back we were into the back end of the season and it wasn’t really working for me.”

“But this pre-season has given me a lot of confidence, I feel like I’m getting back to my best.”

“I’m getting on a bit, so it’s kind of now or never.

O’Connor will open their 2019 NPL2 campaign with a road trip, taking on the Wagga City Wanderers at Gissing Oval on Saturday afternoon.

All fixtures can be found here.