Welcome to Wonderkid Watch: your weekly update on the players and stories emerging from NPL-level clubs across Australia’s A-Leagues.
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Rising star from Bulls FC Academy, Lachlan Sattout, is in remarkable form.
This weekend, the teenager added to his tally at the Under-20 level, netting two goals in a commanding 5-0 victory against Mounties Wanderers.
Sattout struck twice within a mere four minutes, joining Julian Rodriguez, Kaya Akdeniz, and Stephen Varvaritis on the scoresheet for the Bulls, who established a 4-0 lead by the 21st minute in the Football NSW League One U20 match.
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For the 18-year-old Sattout, this continues an extraordinary run, making him the competition’s leading goalscorer with 16 goals, including 12 from his last six appearances.
In his last three matches alone, Sattout has managed seven goals, which includes a second hat-trick for the season. This remarkable feat comes after he missed all of 2024 due to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
“Lachlan Sattout was sidelined for a whole year with an ACL injury last season with the (Sutherland) Sharks and didn’t play a single match,” said Macarthur’s head of senior academy player development, Shaf Sagol, to aleagues.com.au. “But we had faith in his potential and decided to sign him.”
“He demonstrates great maturity and dedication, coupled with a commendable work ethic and character in the locker room.”
“He is technically skilled, excels in tight situations, and remains composed when finishing. His ability to find space and time his runs to trouble the opposition’s defence is exceptional.”
The Bulls currently sit five points clear at the top of the standings after 15 rounds, well ahead of the second-placed Newcastle Jets.
Newcastle had a resounding 9-0 victory over Canterbury Bankstown FC, with Cooper Vimpani netting a hat-trick in just 16 minutes.
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Wil Southcombe also scored twice, while Shiwa Dul, William Eick, Noah Miller, and Tommy Edmonds each contributed to the scoreline.
At the first-grade level in League One, Nicolai Muller’s Bulls continued their charge up the standings.
The red-hot Bulls made it five games unbeaten, winning four in a row with a 2-0 triumph over Mounties Wanderers, putting them third in the table, six points adrift of SD Raiders.
Zane Helweh scored his sixth goal in five games, bringing his season total to 12, alongside a goal from Dean Bosnjak.
Macarthur Bulls CEO Sam Krslovic shared his thoughts on Helweh with aleagues.com.au, stating: “He is becoming increasingly consistent in terms of scoring.”
“The more consistent he is, the better for both him and the club.”
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Krslovic added: “He realistically could be part of the first-team squad in the near future; we have a very high opinion of Zane. He just needs to keep performing at this level.”
Meanwhile, the fifth-placed Jets showcased their strength with a 4-2 win over Canterbury Bankstown FC, with goals from Xavier Bertoncello, Garang Arou, Janni Rafty, and Ethan Debono.
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Adelaide United are entering a new chapter following Carl Veart’s exit as head coach of the Isuzu UTE A-League, and Amlani Tatu seems poised to play a significant role in the club’s future as he continues to excel in the NPL.
The 16-year-old sensation delivered another highlight in NPLM SA, scoring an extraordinary long-range goal in the Reds’ 3-1 victory against rivals Adelaide City.
Harry Crawford opened the scoring for the third-placed Reds, with Joey Garrucio later firing a shot home.
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Tatu then showcased his individual talent again in the 80th minute, sealing Adelaide’s win in the Barossa.
Eyes have been on Tatu since his “explosive” NPL debut for Adelaide 14 months ago. He’s another exciting prospect emerging from Adelaide’s renowned football program, making his Isuzu UTE A-League debut in February with three appearances for Veart’s side after signing a three-year contract at the start of the 2024-25 season.
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“Amlani is progressing well; he is a special player, but he will need time to develop,” advised Adelaide’s Head of Youth Football, Airton Andrioli, to aleagues.com.au earlier.
“He still needs to improve physically and mentally, something we’ve discussed with him. Adapting to the demands of A-League football will take time and won’t occur overnight.”
“He should use his NPL games to build confidence and work on the aspects of his game that require improvement.”
“He needs to continue pushing himself beyond his comfort zone during training to reach the next level.”
“He is making good progress and should realise his potential at the right time.”
Adelaide’s reserves also came away with a 2-0 win against Adelaide City, thanks to Chris Irakoze’s sixth goal in his last eight matches and an own goal.
In NPLM WA, Perth Glory managed a 1-1 draw at home against leaders Bayswater City, with Sebastian Despotovski scoring a 92nd-minute equaliser in this top-of-the-table clash.
Meanwhile, Glory’s U23 side, sitting second in the table, claimed a convincing 6-2 victory against Bayswater City, with Cristiano Farfan netting a hat trick, and Oliver Evans and Tadiswa Shaun Mutyavaviri also getting on the scoresheet.
In NPLW NSW, a resurgent Bulls FC Academy overcame Macarthur Rams with a 5-2 scoreline.
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Amber Luchtmeijer and Jynaya Dos Santos each netted twice, helping the Bulls secure their fourth consecutive win; Tamires Souza also added another goal.
In other matches, Newcastle Jets were defeated 4-1 by UNSW FC, with Lacey Dobson scoring a late consolation goal, while Western Sydney Wanderers fell 5-1 to Mt Druitt Town Rangers, with Olivia Vanderlaan finding the net.
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At U23 level, the Wanderers, Jets, and Bulls all emerged victorious.
Unbeaten leaders Western Sydney defeated Mt Druitt 2-1, thanks to goals from Hayley Muir and Mia Nataly. The Bulls, powered by Jade Guichon’s brace, triumphed 2-0 against Macarthur Rams, and Newcastle clinched a 1-0 victory courtesy of Aaliyah Kilroy.
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Victory fields one of their youngest line-ups amid City’s unbeaten run
Melbourne Victory faced a tough loss against Altona Magic, going down 1-0 in NPLM VIC on Saturday night. Despite the loss, there was a notable highlight in their starting XI.
The average age of Victory’s starting line-up was just 18.6 years, featuring senior debutant Charlie Gorevski.
The starting side included nine teenagers: Alexi Houridis (17), Yona Sultan (18), Aaron Bazenski (18), John Radimisis (18), Gorevski (18), Patrick Wall (18), Tobenna Obani (19), Jesse Hoey (19), and Daniel Lazarevski (19).
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In the U23s, Victory remain second, just one point off the top after securing a 4-0 win over Altona Magic.
Goals from Phin Harbinson, Malik Olukhale, Edon Ajrovski, and Will McIntosh propelled Victory on their travels.
In VPL1 VIC, Melbourne City maintained their unbeaten streak, rallying from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Manningham United.
John Kellis levelled the score in the 77th minute, just five minutes after coming off the bench.
“John has unfortunately faced numerous injuries during his time with the club, but when fit, he demonstrates exceptional goal-scoring ability and is very active off the ball, making clever movements to find himself in scoring positions,” said City’s senior academy manager, Simon Zappia, previously to aleagues.com.au.
Alessandro Diamanti’s City currently sit at the top of Victoria’s second tier after 14 matches, enjoying a three-point cushion over Bentleigh Greens.
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Western United did not compete over the weekend.
In the U23s, City edged past Manningham with a 2-1 scoreline, thanks to rapid goals from Luke Becvinovski.
Becvinovski scored twice in an impressive 11-minute span, closing the gap to just three points behind the unbeaten leaders, Western United, who were not in action this weekend.
Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners played out an exciting 2-2 draw in NPLM NSW.
The fixture, reshuffled to Saturday at Wanderers Football Park following rain disruptions, saw the Mariners recover from two deficits to secure a point.
A Ben Mewett own goal gave Western Sydney the upper hand, only for Jai Rose to find the net and equalise for Central Coast.
Lachlan Tilt restored the Wanderers’ lead just before half-time, but Harper Ryles equalised five minutes from the conclusion.
In Sunday’s matches, Sydney FC suffered a 2-1 defeat against Rockdale Ilinden, with Mathias Macallister scoring a late goal to narrow the deficit.
In the U20s, Western Sydney and Central Coast shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
Johnny Pavlovic scored an equaliser in the 88th minute for the Wanderers, who had initially taken the lead through Zane Stevenson. For the eighth-placed Mariners, Xavier Dalpra and Muginga Mpota scored. The result saw Western Sydney slip to second on goal difference.
Meanwhile, Sydney FC lost 1-0 at Rockdale.
In NPLM QLD, Brisbane Roar’s three-match winning streak was halted with a 1-0 defeat to Brisbane City.
In New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix reserves triumphed 3-2 in a thrilling Central League encounter, with Lachlan Candy and Ryan Watson scoring, before Anaru Cassidy netted a spectacular goal in the ninth minute of additional time.
The U18s also claimed a 2-1 victory thanks to contributions from Luqman Ibrahim and Philip Azevedo.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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