1986 National Soccer League

The National Soccer League 1986 season was the tenth season of the National Soccer League in Australia. The season was again played with two Conferences as separate leagues, followed by a conference playoff final. The Grand Final was won by Adelaide City over Sydney Olympic.

Northern Conference

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
1	Sydney Croatia	22	14	4	4	43	18	32
2	Sydney Olympic	22	9	9	4	33	22	27
3	St George Saints	22	11	5	6	33	29	27
4	Marconi Fairfield	22	9	7	6	35	22	25
5	Sydney City	22	8	8	6	36	27	24
6	Newcastle KB United	22	9	6	7	36	33	24
7	A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers	22	9	6	7	25	23	24
8	Wollongong City	22	9	5	8	26	25	23
9	Blacktown City	22	8	4	10	24	36	20
10	Canberra City	22	5	6	11	21	27	16
11	Canterbury-Marrickville	22	2	7	13	17	41	11
12	Inter Monaro	22	3	5	14	17	43	11

Finals

Qualifying Semi-final: St George 1 d. Sydney Olympic 0

Elimination Semi-final: Marconi 3 d. Sydney City 3 (4-3 on penalties)

Major Semi-final: St George 3 d. Sydney Croatia 0

Minor Semi-final: Sydney Olympic 2 d. Marconi 0

Preliminary Final: Sydney Olympic 4 d. Sydney Croatia 3

Final: Sydney Olympic 3 d. St George 2

Northern Conference winners: Sydney Olympic

Southern Conference

Pos	Club	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
1	Brunswick Juventus	22	11	6	5	37	21	28
2	Footscray JUST	22	10	8	4	29	27	28
3	Adelaide City	22	10	7	5	32	19	27
4	Sunshine George Cross	22	8	11	3	26	17	27
5	Heidelberg United	22	9	8	5	35	25	26
6	Preston	22	8	9	5	30	20	25
7	South Melbourne	22	10	5	7	27	20	25
8	Brisbane Lions	22	7	5	10	27	28	19
9	West Adelaide	22	7	4	11	26	34	18
10	Melbourne Croatia	22	6	6	10	25	33	18
11	Brisbane City	22	3	7	12	18	46	13
12	Green Gully	22	2	6	14	16	38	10

Finals

Qualifying Semi-final: Adelaide City 3 d. Footscray 2

Elimination Semi-final:Sunshine GC 2 d. Heidelberg 1

Major Semi-final: Adelaide City 2 d. Brunswick 0

Minor Semi-final: Footscray 2 d. Sunshine GC 0

Preliminary Final: Footscray 2 d. Brunswick 1

Final: Adelaide City 2 d. Footscray 1

Southern Conference winners: Adelaide City

Grand final

First Leg ???, 1986	Adelaide City	0–1	Sydney Olympic	Adelaide

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Second Leg ???, 1986	Sydney Olympic	1–3	Adelaide City	Sydney

• Adelaide City win 3-2 on aggregate

Individual awards

• Referee's Player of the Year: Bobby Russell (South Melbourne)
• Player's Player of the Year: Graham Arnold (Sydney Croatia)
• U-21 Player of the Year: Ernie Tapai (Melbourne Croatia)
• Top Scorer(s): Graham Arnold (Sydney Croatia) 15 goals
• Coach of the Year: Drago Sekularic (Melbourne Croatia)

References

• OzFootball Archives - 1986 NSL Season