Welcome to Wonderkid Watch: your weekly update on the rising stars and intriguing narratives emanating from the A-Leagues clubs competing at the NPL level across Australia.
Featured Image: Newcastle Jets
‘I’d gladly pay to see him play’
Could Oli Cockle be the next standout talent ready to make waves in the Isuzu UTE A-League?
This promising Newcastle Jets young gun is making strides in the club’s academy and has recently been awarded the men’s Emerging Jet award for 2024-25.
Cockle has netted a team-leading six goals in just eight starts, making his mark since joining Newcastle’s youth squad, particularly following the recent 2-2 draw against the Blacktown Spartans in Football NSW League One – the second tier of Australian football.
The 17-year-old, who has been part of the academy since the Under-14s and has previously trained with the Isuzu UTE A-League team, opened the scoring for the Jets, who had Ethan Debono also contributing to the goal tally.
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“He’s well on his way towards a scholarship if his form holds up,” said Jets academy head coach Damian Zane when speaking to aleagues.com.au.
“He possesses extraordinary acceleration and is an exhilarating dribbler capable of both scoring and assisting. He’s challenging Will Dobson for the best talent I’ve seen progressing through.”
“He showcases an incredible change of direction while dribbling without losing any speed. He’s focused on improving his finishing with Clayton Zane, adding more goals to his repertoire.”
“I’d happily pay to see him play.”
The Jets currently sit seventh in League One, trailing the top spot by nine points and seven points behind fourth-placed rivals Bulls FC Academy, who narrowly defeated Canterbury Bankstown 1-0 thanks to a goal from Harry Menham.
At the U20 level, both the Jets and Bulls enjoyed commanding victories last week.
Lucas Johnson starred with four goals as Newcastle defeated Blacktown 8-0.
His four goals came in just 32 minutes, and other contributions came from William Thurlow, Cooper Vimpani, Kurtis White, and Dash Baker .
The Jets are currently in second place, five points adrift of the dominant Bulls, who cruised past Canterbury Bankstown 6-0, with Andre Parkes netting twice, supported by Levi Sciuriaga, Julian Rodriguez, Ali El-Sabeh, and Atiya Waraga.
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In NPLM NSW, Western Sydney Wanderers played to a 1-1 stalemate against Sydney Olympic, with Awan Lual scoring for the Wanderers.
In a match marred by controversy, 10-man Sydney FC fell 3-2 to Ante Juric’s Sydney United, with goals from Mathias Macallister and Junior Conde.
The Central Coast Mariners faced a tough outing, suffering a 5-0 defeat against APA Leichhardt after losing 3-0 to Sydney Olympic earlier in the week.
In the U20s, Western Sydney Wanderers maintained their lead with a 3-1 victory over Sydney Olympic thanks to goals from Dallo Sandy, Tristan Arrarte, and Luka Knezevic.
Muginga Mpota led Central Coast Mariners to a narrow 1-0 win over APIA, while Sydney FC fell 3-0 to Sydney United.
In NPLW NSW, the Western Sydney Wanderers trounced Newcastle Jets with a resounding 5-0 victory.
Two goals each from Miriam Zumaya and Amy Barker drove the Wanderers’ triumph, with Olivia Vanderlaan also finding the net.
Bulls FC Academy played to a 1-1 draw against APIA, with Tamires Souza scoring for the Bulls.
In the U23s, Western Sydney remain unbeaten and at the top of the table after their 3-0 win against Newcastle Jets.
Three goals in a quick 18-minute span from Ruby Betro (two) and Isabella Sultan highlighted the Wanderers’ victory.
The young Bulls experienced a 4-0 defeat to APIA.
Victory debutant entrenches his name in history
Although Melbourne Victory suffered a loss this past weekend, it was still a remarkable occasion for Malik Olukhale.
Against a backdrop of a 4-2 defeat to South Melbourne in NPLM VIC, Olukhale made history by becoming the youngest player to debut for the club in the top flight of Victorian football.
The 16-year-old made his entrance off the bench in the second half during Sunday’s contest at Lakeside Stadium, where Jordan Hoey and Jack Mihailidis were also on the scoresheet.
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His debut came just a day after playing a full match for Victory’s U23s in their 3-1 defeat to South Melbourne.
The young forward has been with the club since the start of the 2023 academy season after transitioning from Northcote City and has represented Victoria at last year’s National Championships as part of the victorious U15s squad.
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Olukhale, whose father played for the Kenya national team, has now represented the club at all six age levels within two years.
In VPL1, Western United returned to form with a 3-1 victory over Brunswick City in Victoria’s second division.
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Tobias Servin, Jake Najdovski, and Mark Leonard were key players for the fifth-placed Green and Black at Tarneit.
In the U23s, Western registered a 2-2 draw against Brunswick City, thanks to goals from Marcus Tavolaro and an own goal.
Melbourne City did not see any action over the weekend.
Glory in contention for the title
Perth Glory made a successful return to winning ways in NPLM WA, remaining firmly in contention with the leaders.
After a recent defeat, the third-placed Glory emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Balcatta Etna.
Max Naylor, Daniel Jankuloski, and Adrian Pini got on the scoresheet for Glory, who are now five points adrift through ten rounds.
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At the U23 level, Glory leads the table following a victory over the same opponents, with goals from Lucas Mura and Oliver Evans.
In NPLM SA, Adelaide United held Adelaide Croatia Raiders to a goalless draw.
The Reds’ reserves, however, secured a 2-2 stalemate; Mohammed Hassan and Sidiki Dukuly finding the net.
Over in NPLM QLD, Brisbane Roar suffered a 4-1 defeat against Peninsula Power, with Ivan Ozzi providing their only goal.
In New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix saw a mixed bag of results.
In the Delivereasy Kate Sheppard Cup, the women’s reserves triumphed 8-1 against Palmerston North Marist, with Lily Brazendale netting a hat-trick, while Isla Cleall-Harding and Emily Humphrey chipped in with two goals each, and Ella McMillan completed the scoreline.
In the Central League, the U18 women’s team sits second after a 3-0 win over Moturoa AFC powered by goals from Bridie Christie, Maisy McDonald, and Isabella Temple.
With several youngsters away with New Zealand’s U20s, the men’s reserves fell 3-1 to Napier City Rovers in the Delivereasy Chatham Cup.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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