The secret is officially out of the bag: Central Coast Mariners have a serious young talent on their hands in 16-year-old midfielder Haine Eames.
On Monday night, Eames became both the club’s youngest-ever goalscorer and starter in a 1-1 draw with Macarthur Bulls; in just six Isuzu UTE A-League appearances, the teenager has made a big impression under head coach Mark Jackson after a whirlwind rise from academy prospect to first-team regular.
MATCH REPORT: 16yo Mariners gem makes history as Socceroo makes long-awaited comeback in Bulls draw
The teenager signed his first scholarship contract at the Mariners in July, committing the next three years of his flourishing career to the club he joined in 2023.
Initially part of the club’s Under-15 squad, Eames quickly rose through the academy ranks at the Mariners and caught the eye of Mariners head coach Jackson. He then trained with the 2023-24 Championship-winning Central Coast squad before earning his scholarship contract.
Eames has since been thrust into the spotlight of the first-team squad this season but isn’t shirking from the pressures of senior football. In Campbelltown on Monday night, Eames was the star of the show, and his equalising goal not only broke a record but also earned the struggling Champions an important point on the road.
At 16 years and 300 days, Eames’ goal against Macarthur ranks fourth on the Isuzu UTE A-League’s list of youngest-ever goalscorers:
- Mohamed Toure (15 years, 325 days)
- Nestory Irankunda (15 years, 355 days)
- Archie Goodwin (16 years, 215 days)
- Haine Eames (16 years, 300 days)
- Ryan Brownlie (16 years, 313 days)
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Watching on from the commentary box on Monday night was Isuzu UTE A-League legend Erik Paartalu, who joined lead commentator Robbie Thomson in giving the 16-year-old talent glowing praise for his performance against the Bulls.
“Faith repaid (to) Mark Jackson, putting the youngster in,” said Paartalu.
“Nobody expecting the young man to play any part in that corner but how about that to equalise, and score your first goal? What a great start.
“Just beautiful to watch. I can’t wait to see more of this kid. If that’s his first start, I don’t want to big him up too much, but what an influence he’s had on this game.
“Not just the goal, he got on the ball and made things tick, and he didn’t go missing. That was the biggest thing I picked up. He kept wanting the ball.”
“Not only is he the youngest player for the Central Coast Mariners,” Thomson added, “(he’s) the youngest starter in their history.
“Well, this evening, Haine Eames just became the youngest goalscorer in Central Coast Mariners history as well.
“He’s a youngster making history this season.”
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Having secured a point against Macarthur in Monday’s 1-1 draw, the reigning Isuzu UTE A-League Champions will now turn attention to a clash with Auckland FC on Saturday, December 28.
The Mariners are 10th on 10 points, two points outside the top six.
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