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Featured image: NPL NSW
*Melbourne City and Perth Glory were not in action over the weekend as their respective leagues head into the Finals Series/play-offs.
Western Sydney’s historic debut season capped by crowning moment: ‘World-class pathway’
Western Sydney Wanderers have been named Football NSW Youth Club champions.
The Wanderers women’s academy made their debut in 2025, with Western Sydney competing in the NPL this season – a “proud milestone in the club’s growing commitment to women’s football”.
It has been a “whirlwind” inaugural campaign for the Wanderers but it has been capped by another historic feat.
Their academy teams also enjoyed success across all age groups on the pitch – the Under-14s and U16s were crowned minor premiers, while the U15s and U18s finished the season as runners-up.
A total of 11 players earned international recognition through selection in junior national teams representing various countries, while 24 players also competed in the prestigious Emerging Matildas Tournament.
Wanderers CEO Scott Hudson said: “This is a proud day for the Wanderers and for women’s football in Western Sydney.
“To be crowned the Football NSW Youth Club Champions in our very first season is an outstanding achievement and highlights the potential in our region.
“The support of the NSW Government and the Wanderers Foundation in making this a fee-free program ensures that every young girl has the chance to chase her football dreams, regardless of financial barriers.”
Wanderers Girls Academy technical director and Ninja A-League head coach Geoff Abrahams added: “Our players and coaches have worked tirelessly this year, and their efforts have been rewarded with incredible improvement across every youth age group, and the successful results have been a bi-product of that.
“Beyond the results, it has been inspiring to see so many of our girls gain national team recognition and experience in tournaments like the Emerging Matildas.
“This first season has laid a strong foundation, and we are excited to continue building a world-class pathway for the next generation of Matildas.”
Western Sydney ended their inaugural NPLW NSW season with a 3-1 win over rivals and bottom side Newcastle Jets.
Goals from Alyssa Mckenzie, Fazzari and Olivia Vanderlaan fuelled the 13th-placed Wanderers against away to the Jets, who netted a last-gasp consolation via Chloe Walandouw.
At U23 level, the seventh-placed Jets overcame second-placed Western Sydney 1-0 courtesy of Makayla Clifton while 10th-placed Bulls FC Academy lost 3-1 to APIA. Mia Jolic was the goalscorer.
Bulls can’t be tamed on road to NPL Premiership
Meet the 2025 NPLW NSW premiers, Bulls FC Academy.
Macarthur Bulls’ women’s academy outfit finished top of the table at the end of the regular season thanks to Sunday night’s thrilling 2-1 win away to APIA Leichhardt.
The Bulls got their hands on a maiden NPL Premiership thanks to two-goal hero Petria Phillips and an unbeaten season on home soil – the only team to do so in 2025.
“Hard to put into words,” head coach Martinho Garces told NPL NSW.
Macarthur Bulls CEO Sam Krslovic told aleagues.com.au: “It’s a great achievement for our female academy.
“The club is extremely proud of their efforts over several years culminating in this achievement. Special mention goes to Marty the coach who was part of our A-League setup in the early inaugural year.
“Congratulations to the players, parents and hard working support staff.”
Sunday’s showdown was a direct showdown for the Premiership before the Finals Series and the Bulls came out on top as Phillips put her side ahead at Lambert Park.
Then with seven minutes remaining, Phillips pounced on a goalkeeping error to restore the Bulls’ lead and secure the piece of silverware.
It was her 10th goal of the season – seven goals shy of the team’s leading goalscorer Isabella Coco-Di Sipio, as the Bulls look ahead to a finals showdown with fourth-placed Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
The Bulls now have their eyes on a Premiership/Championship double.
“The mentality is good,” said Garces. “They know going into this game how we put the format together.”
The Bulls ended the regular season with the most goals scored, while they had the third-best defence in the competition.
They also boasted Jynaya Dos Santos, who played for Canberra United in 2024-25, and Gemma Ferris – a member of Western Sydney Wanderers last season as well as young gun Avaani Prakash. The 18-year-old was on the books of Western United last term.
Top-flight status preserved on dramatic final day
Western Sydney Wanderers will continue in NPLM NSW next season after their crucial 3-0 win over Central Coast Mariners.
Awan Lual, Alaat Abdul-Rahman and Johnny Pavlovic scored to help Western Sydney avoid relegation while second-bottom Central Coast will now meet Football NSW League One runners-up SD Raiders in a two-legged relegation play-off.
The Mariners were also involved in a relegation play-off last season and overcame Bulls FC Academy to stay in the top flight.
Sydney FC, meanwhile, drew 2-2 against finals-bound Rockdale Ilinden.
Marin France and Dylan Rose both scored as the Sky Blues twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils in the final round.
Sydney FC ended 2025 in 10th position.
In League One, Bulls FC Academy and fifth-placed Newcastle Jets ended their seasons with draws in NSW’s second division.
The eighth-placed Bulls played out a wild 3-3 draw at home to Mounties Wanderers FC.
There were three goals scored between the 90th and 94th minute as the Bulls rallied to earn a point.
Michael Krslovic made it 2-2 in the 90th minute before the Wanderers restored their lead three minutes later.
But in the 94th minute, Sonny Sterjovski popped up to salvage a 3-3 draw after Justin Cardozo struck in the first half.
Newcastle, meanwhile, drew 2-2 away to Canterbury Bankstown after Janni Rafty and Luka Bennell had given the Jets a 2-0 lead.
In the U20s, Bulls FC Academy got their hands on the Premiership.
Julian Rodriguez, Yusuf Aydin and Declan Dimech scored for the table-topping Bulls in a 3-3 draw at home to Mounties Wanderers.
Second-placed Newcastle lost 4-0 to Canterbury Bankstown.
In NPLM SA, Adelaide United lost 1-0 to MetroStars in the first leg of their Semi-Final showdown.
Over in New Zealand, Luke Supyk scored a hat-trick as Wellington Phoenix men’s reserves closed out their Central League campaign with a 7-0 rout of Waterside Karori. Ryan Watson, Lachlan Candy, Xuan Loke and Anaru Cassidy were also on target.
Wellington women’s reserves were beaten 4-1 by Island Bay despite Manaia Elliott‘s opener.
As for Auckland FC, their reserves drew 2-2 at Bay Olympic FC. James Mitchell and Jonty Bidois were the scorers in the Northern League.
