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 Adelaide Hindmarsh Stadium Brisbane Strikers Brisbane Lang Park Canberra Cosmos Canberra Bruce Stadium Collingwood Warriors Melbourne Victoria ParkOlympic 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 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
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)