Welcome to Wonderkid Watch: Your weekly update on the emerging talents and narratives from Australia’s A-League clubs competing at the NPL level.
*The NPLM QLD match between Brisbane Roar and Gold Coast United has been postponed.
Following in the Family Footsteps: A Young Talent Ready for A-League Action
Sebastian Despotovski. That name may sound familiar, right?
He is the son of renowned Perth Glory figure Bobby Despotovski, who clinched two NSL championships with the club, earned the Johnny Warren Medal, and took home the 2005-06 Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot. Additionally, he served as the head coach of Perth Glory’s youth team.
Now, Sebastian is charting his own course in Perth, where the 19-year-old striker is making his mark with Glory.
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Despotovski netted a brace as high-flying, unbeaten Glory thrashed 10-man Floreat Athena 4-0 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre during NPLM WA action.
His impressive double included a spectacular free-kick in the second half, with Max Argent and Giovanni De Abreu also adding to the scoreline for a Perth side that currently sits second in the league standings after four rounds.
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“He’s always tuned into the games and provides me feedback, mostly critical,” Despotovski shared with a grin about his father’s influence on his career.
“Even if I score three goals, he still explains what I could do better.”
Despotovski has been part of Glory’s setup since he was 12 and has trained with David Zdrilic’s Isuzu UTE A-League team on multiple occasions this season.
“I’m focused on improving every day in training and revealing that talent in matches,” he stated.
“Hopefully, by the end of the season, I’ll receive that call-up to the A-League.”
While Glory teammate Adam Bugarija – who is part of the Isuzu UTE A-League squad – currently leads the NPLM WA Golden Boot race with four goals, Despotovski is not far behind with three goals to his name already in 2025.
“I’ve been working with him since November, and his approach has notably improved since then,” Glory academy head coach Joe Heath shared with aleagues.com.au.
“He’s starting to understand that he needs to bring his best every time he arrives. He can’t just choose when to perform because he has that kind of talent.
“Seb is the kind of player who has the ability to shine when he wants, but I’m emphasising that he needs consistency during training sessions and matches.
“He possesses the talent to craft goals from various scenarios, and I believe he’s emerging as one of the group’s leaders this year.”
“Seb is the type of athlete where sometimes you hardly need to coach them as much as others. The goal is to allow him to express himself without restrictions.”
“While we discuss maintaining discipline when out of possession, when he’s in control, he should feel free to demonstrate his abilities.”
In NPLM SA, Adelaide United was involved in an exhilarating 3-3 draw with MetroStars.
Brody Burkitt netted a quick pair for Adelaide within 12 minutes, and Fabian Talladira also got on the scoresheet.
The Reds are currently second in the league table after five encounters, just behind MetroStars on goal difference.
In other news, Adelaide’s reserves suffered a 5-2 defeat to MetroStars, with Chris Irakoze and Liam Stam finding the net.
Western United Talent Poised for A-League Opportunity
Could this be the next Western United academy player ready for a taste of Isuzu UTE A-League football?
Victor Muhindo is certainly making a name for himself, according to the club’s academy director, thanks to his performances in 2025.
The “dynamic winger” scored a brace to aid Western United in their 6-0 rout of the struggling Eastern Lions in VPL1 over the weekend, with academy product Oli Lavale also shining with a hat-trick. Shifa Ahmed found the net for the Green and Black in Tarneit.
Muhindo is thriving at third-placed Western following his transfer from Melbourne Victory, where he initially joined as a 14-year-old.
Western’s academy director Anthony Frost remarked to aleagues.com.au: “Victor is a dynamic winger who is also adept at playing centrally.
“He becomes a menace when isolating defenders one-on-one and has the skill to deliver dangerous crosses and shots in the final third.
“With more consistent playing time, he continues to develop, and we expect him to progress further and gain A-League opportunities in the near future.”
Recently, young star Alex Marmura made his inaugural appearance for Western’s senior academy squad this season.
Having netted a league-high 10 goals in seven U23 VPL1 matches, Marmura received the call-up to the senior academy side against Eastern Lions.
“Alex Marmura is a core academy player entering his third season with us, making significant strides in our programme after starting in the U16s,” Frost said.
“Alex is a shrewd striker who makes intelligent runs and positions himself well to exploit attacks. He contributes effectively in build-up play, often linking with midfielders, making him a dependable asset in possession.
“We’re thrilled to see him make his senior debut, as he’s a player committed to maximising his potential, both on and off the pitch.”
Melbourne City leads VPL1 after securing a 3-1 triumph over Langwarrin.
Goals from Marcus Humbert, Arion Sulemani, and Akeem Gerald, all within a devastating seven-minute stretch, maintained City’s unbeaten start, putting them two points clear at the top of the standings.
In U23 competition, Western United dropped points for the first time this season but remain at the top of the league.
The Green and Black were held to a 2-2 draw by Eastern Lions, despite a brace from Tobias Servin. Meanwhile, Melbourne City edged past Langwarrin 1-0 thanks to Julian Recchia.
In NPLM VIC, Melbourne Victory claimed a 3-2 victory over St Albans Saints.
Jordan Hoey netted the winning goal in the 77th minute at the Home of the Matildas, with Daniel Lazarevski and Patrick Wall also on target.
Victory’s third win of the campaign elevated them to sixth in the rankings.
The reserves experienced a 7-0 rout against St Albans.
Phoenix Enjoy Perfect Start in New Zealand
Wellington Phoenix couldn’t have wished for a better beginning to their Central League campaign.
Chris Greenacre’s academy squad demolished Island Bay United 5-1 away from home, achieving two straight victories in New Zealand.
Ryan Watson, Daniel Makowem, Luke Flowerdew, Luke Mitchell, and Jack Perniskie found the net, with substitute Perniskie scoring just three minutes after coming on.
The Phoenix Under-18 women’s team is also at the top of the Women’s Central League, following their 12-0 thrashing of Palmerston North United.
Katie Pugh achieved a hat-trick, while Maisy McDonald, Anahera Easton, Eliza Vincent, and Phoebe Hawes netted two each, and Bridie Christie also got on the scoresheet.
In NPLW NSW, victorious outings were recorded for Bulls FC Academy and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Isabella Coco-Di Sipio scored to guide Bulls FC Academy past Sydney University 1-0, while Olivia Vanderlaan led the Wanderers to a 1-0 triumph over APIA Leichhardt.
Newcastle Jets succumbed to a 4-3 defeat against Macarthur Rams in a high-scoring encounter.
Milan Hammond found the net twice for the Jets, and Claire Adams converted a free-kick.
In the NPLM NSW, a Sydney Derby ended with Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC playing to a stalemate at 0-0.
Central Coast Mariners suffered a 2-0 defeat against St George FC.
At U20 level, second-placed Western Sydney triumphed over Sydney FC 2-1, thanks to goals from Noah Peacock and Max Hately. Zinadein Ardiansyah scored for the Sky Blues.
The Mariners faced a 3-1 loss against St George FC despite an early equaliser from Fynn Sadler.
In Football NSW League One, Bulls FC Academy continued their rise up the table with a 3-1 victory over Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
Sebastian Krslovic, Flynn Madden, and Zane Helweh inspired Nicolai Muller’s in-form Bulls, who are now positioned fourth in the league, seven points behind the leaders.
Newcastle Jets find themselves third after a 2-2 draw with Mounties Wanderers in the second tier.
Alex Nunes and Oliver Cockle got on the scoresheet for Newcastle.
In the U20 division, the Bulls and Jets remain locked at the top of the standings, both on 24 points.
Stephen Varvaritis scored twice in a matter of three minutes for the Bulls during their remarkable 7-0 win over Bonnyrigg, with Julian Rodriguez, Ali El-Sabeh, and Gustavo Bigoto also getting on the score sheet, followed by Leandro Carle’s quick two-goal contribution.
The Jets overcame Mounties Wanderers 3-1, thanks to strikes from Max Wettig, Tommy Edmonds, and Shiwa Dul after recovering from a half-time deficit.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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