Welcome to Wonderkid Watch! This weekly article brings you the latest on promising players and intriguing stories from A-Leagues clubs competing in the NPL across Australia.
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‘Exceptional’ talent powers Adelaide’s emphatic victory
Adelaide United’s rising star Amlani Tatu netted a hat-trick to propel the Reds past newly-promoted WT Birkalla with an impressive 6-2 victory in the NPLM SA on Saturday.
Tatu found the net twice within the first 24 minutes before completing his hat-trick just three minutes from the final whistle at ServiceFM Stadium. Harry Crawford also scored a brace, while the joint top scorer of the competition, Brody Burkitt—who has five goals this season—added to the tally.
Alongside his three goals, Tatu provided an assist for Burkitt after skillfully maneuvering past two defenders.
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Tatu has been a player to watch since his “explosive” debut for Adelaide in the NPL a year ago. An exciting addition from Adelaide’s well-regarded football academy, he made his entrance into the Isuzu UTE A-League in February and has since appeared three times for Carl Veart’s team, after signing a three-year deal for the 2024-25 season.
Adelaide’s Head of Youth Football, Airton Andrioli, shared his thoughts on Tatu with aleagues.com.au following this weekend’s hat-trick.
“Amlani is progressing well; he’s a special talent but will need time to shine,” Andrioli commented.
“He still has to grow both physically and mentally, a point we’ve discussed with him. Adapting to the demands of A-League football won’t happen instantly.”
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“He should use NPL games to build confidence while continuing to refine the areas of his game that require improvement.”
“His development is on track, and he should realise his potential at the right moment.”
“Moreover, he needs to consistently perform at the NPL level, just like he did last Saturday.”
Adelaide sit level with MetroStars and Adelaide City on 14 points after seven rounds, with MetroStars currently leading the league on goal difference.
In the reserves, the Reds fell 4-3 at home to WT Birkalla despite initially leading 2-0 within the first 10 minutes.
Jacob Kabazo, Mohammed Hassan, and Ali Mohtashami managed to score for Adelaide, who are currently in sixth place, trailing by eight points.
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Meanwhile, in NPLM WA, Perth Glory maintained their second spot with a convincing 3-0 triumph over Western Knights.
Adrian Pini, Max Naylor, and Alfie Knight were the scorers for the undefeated Glory.
Perth’s U23 squad also had a close 4-3 win over Western Knights, with goals from Cristiano Farfan, Henri Knight, and Oliver Evans.
Melbourne Victory star’s ‘Goal of the Season’ brilliance
Luka Kolic stunned spectators!
The Melbourne Victory rising star pulled off a remarkable goal that will surely be a contender for the Puskas Award during Monday night’s thrilling 4-3 loss to Dandenong Thunder in NPLM VIC.
Kolic broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion at the Home of the Matildas, executing a Rabona shot that soared past A-Leagues champion and Thunder’s goalkeeper Jamie Young.
The goal went viral as the former Melbourne Knights junior secured a brilliant start with his first goal of the season. It also put Kolic in the limelight after joining the Isuzu UTE A-League squad at the beginning of 2024-25.
Kolic, who netted five goals during Victory’s promotion from VPL1 in 2024, has yet to make his professional debut for the club but has been included on the bench once this season for Arthur Diles’ team.
The young winger’s magical moment against Thunder was amidst a chaotic night in Bundoora.
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Patrick Wall quickly doubled Victory’s lead to 2-0 just two minutes later, but that was merely the beginning of the turmoil.
Rapid goals from the visitors allowed them to come back to 2-2 by the 48th minute before Daniel Lazarevski restored Victory’s lead with 19 minutes remaining.
However, Thunder flipped the match on its head in dramatic fashion, clinching victory with goals in the 84th and 89th minutes.
Victory’s U23 side celebrated a 9-1 victory, led by a hat-trick from James Lackay.
In VPL1, both Melbourne City and Western United faced stalemates in Victoria’s second division.
Unbeaten leaders City played out a 1-1 draw at home against Bulleen Lions, despite a 26th-minute opener from Arion Sulemani, who has been in fiery form with five goals over four matches in VPL1.
Alessandro Diamanti’s City remains five points clear at the top while maintaining a six-point lead over third-placed Western United, who also drew 1-1 at North Sunshine Eagles.
Khoder Kaddour scored for Western amid a sending-off for Besian Kutleshi.
In U23 action, unbeaten leaders Western United overwhelmed North Sunshine with a 6-1 rout, driven by a brace from Lenny Van Heer. Further goals came from Oscar Tanic, Anderson Back, William Kengni, and Yannick Kengni.
Conversely, City saw John Kellis find the net in a 3-1 defeat against Bulleen.
‘Top class’ double scorer propels Roar to first win of 2025
Brisbane Roar have finally lifted off in NPLM QLD.
The Roar celebrated their inaugural victory of the season, defeating Wynnum Wolves 2-1, thanks to a first-half brace from Rhys Williams.
In his first league appearance since returning from Subway Joeys duties at the Under-17 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, Williams opened the scoring in the sixth minute and netted his second before the half-time break.
“Rhys has made the most significant strides in his development since we began pre-season in November,” stated Roar’s academy head coach Karl Dodd to aleagues.com.au.
“He exhibits a tenacity for continuous improvement. His attitude and effort are top class, and it reflects in his performances.”
In NPLM NSW, Marin France and Mathias Macallister secured a 2-0 win for Sydney FC against Sutherland Sharks.
The Western Sydney Wanderers fell 1-0 to St George City, while Rocco Smith scored for the Central Coast Mariners in a 3-1 loss against Rockdale Ilinden.
In U20 fixtures, league leaders Western Sydney Wanderers and the Central Coast Mariners achieved victories.
Luka Knezevic, Joshua Cetinic, and Akol Akon propelled Western Sydney to a 3-0 triumph against St George City, whereas the Mariners downed Rockdale thanks to Harrison Jablonski and Max Miller.
Sydney FC faced defeat at home to Sutherland Sharks, losing 3-2 despite goals from Zac Fowler and Jack Ryu.
In NPLW NSW, the Newcastle Jets fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Gladesville Ravens, with Alexis Collins scoring for the Jets.
Bulls FC Academy secured a 3-1 derby victory against Western Sydney Wanderers, with Petria Phillips scoring twice and Isabella Coco-Di Sipio also finding the net. Miriam Zumaya was the scorer for Western Sydney.
In Football NSW League One, Atiya Waraga and Zane Helweh led fifth-placed Bulls FC Academy to a 2-1 win over second-ranked SD Raiders.
Meanwhile, sixth-positioned Newcastle Jets were narrowly edged out 3-2 by Bankstown City in the NSW second tier.
In U20 fixtures, the league-leading Bulls triumphed over SD Raiders 3-1 with goals from Lachlan Sattout, Henrique Oliveira, and Stephen Varvaritis.
Second-placed Newcastle managed a narrow 1-0 victory against Bankstown, with a goal from Tommy Edmonds in the 50th minute.
In New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix men’s reserve team played out a 2-2 draw against Petone FC, following an injury-time equaliser in the Central League.
Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues scored a stunning long-range shot that stole the show, with Luke Supyk also on the scoresheet.
The Wellington U18 women’s side maintained their unbeaten run in the Central League with a goalless draw against Petone FC.
The Phoenix women’s reserve team commenced their season with a 4-2 victory over Waterside Karori, with goals from Amber de Wit, Phoebe Hawes, Isla Cleall-Harding, and Grace Bartlett.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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