Welcome to Wonderkid Watch: a weekly update that showcases the promising players and stories from A-League clubs competing in the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across Australia.
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*There was no action in NPLM SA as Adelaide United had no match, while the Brisbane Roar’s fixture in NPLM QLD was postponed, alongside Central Coast Mariners’ game in NPLM NSW.
‘Nix kick off new season in commanding style: ‘It’s our job’
A new season is underway, and for the Wellington Phoenix reserve team in New Zealand’s Central League, the goal remains unchanged.
This past weekend, Wellington secured a resounding 4-0 victory against Upper Hutt City at Fraser Park.
Anaru Cassidy, Luke Mitchell, Ryan Watson, and Jack Perniskie were the scorers for Chris Greenacre’s Phoenix on Saturday.
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The second half of the match was particularly breathtaking, with Wellington scoring four unopposed goals in total, including three in a quick-fire 17 minutes, as debutant Mitchell found the back of the net.

Wellington’s excellent start to the season is part of a broader objective for the A-Leagues team, as they aim to nurture more first-team talent.
This season alone in the Isuzu UTE A-League, academy graduates like Nathan Walker, Xuan Loke, and Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues have made their mark, alongside Matthew Sheridan, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Alby Kelly-Heald, and Luke Supyk.
“We always focus on the future,” head coach Chris Greenacre stated via Wellington Phoenix before the season kickoff.
“The squad I oversee has gained a year’s worth of experience in understanding my system and the demands of replicating a professional environment.”
“This includes daily training routines, body maintenance, gym work, and the mental aspects of high-performance sport.”
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“Our aim is to build on last season’s knowledge. Winning is significant, but it’s not the sole objective.”
“We’ve reached a stage where it’s no longer about giving jerseys to everyone; it’s about earning your spot.”
“We can strive for greater achievements, and the new players coming through will aspire to that, ensuring the process continues to see more young talents break into the first team.”




Regarding Wellington’s academy graduates and the youth team’s progression, Greenacre – whose side played against Fiji and New Caledonia national teams during pre-season – commented: “We’ve witnessed a significant number of players advancing recently.
“This indicates that the club is making strides and has a vision for the future, even as my squad undergoes changes.”
“Starting over is always a challenge, even with a core group of players who’ve been with me for a year.”
“It demonstrates the club’s long-term outlook, aiming to fast-track our young players into the first team earlier than usual.”
“It’s our role in the academy to prepare players to reach that level, enabling them to become first-team members and eventually full international representatives.”
“The goal is to ensure players are ready to meet the demands of the first team and its coaching staff.”
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Meanwhile, Wellington’s Under-18 women’s team secured a convincing 4-0 win over Waterside Karori in the opening round of the women’s Central League on Saturday.
Mackenzie Bryant, Maisy McDonald, Isabella Temple, and Amelie McClintock all found the net for the ‘Nix.
Unbeaten City makes a mark with resounding win over A-Leagues rivals
What a statement win it was! Melbourne City showcased their dominance with a comprehensive 4-0 triumph over Western United in VPL1.
Alessandro Diamanti’s City climbed to the top of the standings in Victoria’s second tier following this impressive victory against another A-Leagues academy, Western, in Tarneit on Saturday.
In a thrilling clash that featured second versus third, City emerged victorious away from home, maintaining their unbeaten streak across eight rounds.
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Emin Durakovic, Lawrence Wong, Akeem Gerald, and Arion Sulemani found the back of the net for City, who now lead by two points as they aim to replicate Melbourne Victory’s success after Victory’s recent promotion to NPLM VIC.
“I treat my players as if they were Serie A players; the expectations remain the same,” Diamanti previously shared with aleagues.com.au. “At ages 17, 18, and 19, players in Europe are already featuring in starting XI, so there’s no room for excuses.”
“My encouragement and assurance aim to instill the mindset of being a Serie A player within them. They possess the physicality and talent necessary; the rest is up to them.”
“We approach every match as though it’s a World Cup final, as each game and training session counts, particularly at this stage of their development. This is my philosophy. Initially, some players would mention age differences.”
“For me, age is irrelevant. I focus on whether they’re good enough, ready, or not.”
At U23 level, Western United continued their dominance, prevailing 4-3 in a nail-biting match against Melbourne City, thanks to a double from Golden Boot leader Alex Marmura, adding to goals from Oscar Tanic and Zackaria Kaddour.
Marmura has now netted 10 goals this season.
John Kellis scored twice for 10-man City, alongside Charlie Downes, but it was not enough as Western maintained their perfect record in 2025, sitting five points clear of second-placed City.
In NPLM VIC, Melbourne Victory fell 2-1 to Green Gully. Tommaso Minutoli netted before being shown a red card.
Victory’s U20s also suffered a 2-0 defeat to Green Gully, leaving them tied on points with Avondale FC and Dandenong City at the top of the table.
Wanderers’ promising season remains strong
Western Sydney Wanderers bounced back impressively in NPLW NSW with a 2-1 victory over Gladesville Ravens at Wanderers Football Park.
Eliza Coleman’s own goal set the stage for the Wanderers, with Anika Stajcic doubling the score for the home team. Stajcic now has three goals in just four games this season.
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In other action, Newcastle Jets lost 3-2 to Manly United at Lake Macquarie Regional Football Facility.
The Jets initially led 2-1 but were unable to hold off the determined Manly side, which was reduced to ten players.
Alexis Collins opened the scoring with a sensational goal in the 34th minute, followed by Marni Duggan restoring Newcastle’s lead early in the second half.
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Bulls FC Academy faced a 2-1 loss against Northern Tigers, with Ashlee Brodigan scoring a late consolation goal for the Bulls.
In NPLM NSW, Sydney FC fell 2-0 against Mt Druitt Town Rangers, while Western Sydney Wanderers lost 1-0 to Marconi Stallions.
The Central Coast Mariners’ fixture against Sydney Olympic was postponed.
Zac Fowler completed a hat-trick in Sydney FC’s 4-1 demolition of Mt Druitt Town in U20s, extending the Sky Blues’ unbeaten run to five matches.
Jacob Mclachlan also contributed a goal for Sydney.
Meanwhile, Western Sydney, positioned second in the league, edged past Marconi with a solitary goal from Tristan Arrarte in the 38th minute. Arrarte has netted six times in 2025.
In Football NSW League One, both Bulls FC Academy and Newcastle Jets recorded victories over the weekend.
High-flying Newcastle cruised to a 4-0 win against Rydalmere Lions, with goals from Amos Okumu, Alex Nunes, Wil Southcombe, and Janni Rafty.
Okumu has netted five goals this season, four of which came with the U20 side, while Southcombe also scored his first senior goal of the season after four strikes in the U20s.

The Jets occupy third place in the table, three points adrift, while they lead fifth-placed Bulls FC Academy by four points following Bulls’ 1-0 win against Hills United, courtesy of Flynn Madden.
In the U20s, the Bulls and Jets are joint leaders on 21 points after eight matches.
Lachlan Sattout and Ali El-Sabeh helped the Bulls to a 2-0 win over Hills United, while Newcastle triumphed 2-0 against Rydalmere Lions, thanks to goals from Lucas Johnson and Dash Baker.
Over in NPLM WA, Perth Glory extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-2 draw at Sorrento FC, with Adrian Pini and Sebastian Despotovki on the scoresheet for Glory, who sit third in the standings after three rounds.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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