The NPL is back this weekend. What you need to know about your A-Leagues side’s academy team

Here’s everything you need to know about your A-Leagues team’s academy outfit with the NPL seasons set to get underway for 2025.

While the A-Leagues are in full swing, a new year means the return of the National Premier Leagues and state league football in Australia and New Zealand.

12 A-Leagues academy teams will be in action, as soon as this weekend, after a memorable 2024.

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Melbourne Victory were promoted to Victoria’s top tier – NPLM VIC – for the first time in their history, Central Coast Mariners survived a relegation/promotion play-off, while Newcastle Jets made history en route to promotion.

From coaches to squads, here is everything you need to know for the 2025 season.

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Adelaide United

Adelaide United’s famed production line has been in the headlines over the years, and it all begins in their youth/NPL system.

From Nestory Irankunda to Luka Jovanovic and Panagiotis Kikianis, who will be the next young gun to emerge in NPLM SA this season?

After a run to the Elimination Finals in 2024, Adelaide open their campaign away to Raiders on February 22.

Full fixture

Head coach: Airton Andrioli

League: NPLM SA

2024 finish: 6th (Elimination Finals)

Squad: TBC

Brisbane Roar

Karl Dodd is at the helm as Brisbane Roar look to unearth the next Thomas Waddingham or Lucas Herrington.

In 2024, the Roar finished eighth – 34 points behind champions Gold Coast Knights – and were led by Ivan Ozzi, who is back in 2025 while Rylan Brownlie has since departed for a reported switch to Premier League side Crystal Palace.

Brisbane kick-off their campaign away to Peninsula Power on February 22.

Full fixture

Head coach: Karl Dodd

League: NPLM QLD

2024 finish: 8th

Squad: George Plusnin, Sam Flannery, Lennard Atterwell, Asim Sehovic, Charlie Parkin, Nelson Deng, Zane North, Archie Mitchell, Adam Shaker, Jack Child, Jack Benham, Caleb Butler, Eddie Ince, Noah Maieroni, James Durrington, Tate Baldwin, Sam Klein, Ty Cobb, Forbes Porter, Zac Fowler, Ivan Ozzi, Christian Naveen, Rafa Alvis, David Russell, Rhys Williams 

Central Coast Mariners

Central Coast Mariners are back in NSW’s top flight after surviving a two-legged relegation/promotion play-off against Bulls FC Academy last season.

Bailey Brandtman, Arthur De Lima and Haine Eames played key roles for the Mariners at NPLM NSW level last season and all three have gone on to play A-Leagues football with the two-time reigning champions.

The Mariners will again be looking to promote players from within as they go up against Manly United on February 7.

Full fixture

Head coach: Lucas Vilela

League: NPLM NSW

2024 finish: 15th (Relegation/promotion play-off)

Squad: Bailey Brandtman, Jack Warshawsky, Logan Sambrook, Jaj Ajanovic, Arthur De Lima, Adam Pavlesic, Haine Eames, Luca Pecora, Ahmad Elhelou, Ben Mewett, Lucas Scicluna, Jordan Small, Prayaag Thapa, Michael Paragalli, Jai Rose, Muginga Mpota

Macarthur Bulls

There is a new coach at the helm as Bulls FC Academy attempt to go one step further in 2025.

The Bulls narrowly missed out on promotion from Football NSW League One after going down to rivals Central Coast Mariners.

Since then, Craig Noone has departed and been replaced by German international and former A-Leagues midfielder Nicolai Muller, while the club have made headlines for their youth work on the back of overseas moves for academy graduates Jed Drew, Oliver Jones and Ariath Piol.

On the opening weekend, Bulls FC Academy are away to Northern Tigers FC on February 8.

Full fixture

As for Bulls FC Academy in NPLW NSW, where Amber Luchtmeijer won the Golden Boot in 2024 before joining Ninja A-League champions Sydney FC, they face Mt Druitt Town Rangers on March 9.

Full fixture

Head coach: Nicolai Muller (men’s), Marty Garces (women’s)

Leagues: Football NSW League One, NPLW NSW

2024 finish: 2nd (Relegation/promotion play-off), 8th (NPLW NSW)

Squad: Franklin Jan, Alexander Robinson, Will Mckay, Andre Parkes, Sebastian Krslovic, Samuel Bosnjak, Joshua Damevski, Matty Jackson, Atiya Wariga, Federico Gagliano, Frans Deli, Ante Vojvodic, Oliver Randazzo, Flynn Madden, Henrique Oliveira, Zane Helweh, Dean Bosnjak, Luka Sterjovski, Michael Krslovic, Levi Scirugia, Julian Rodriquez, Harry Menham

Melbourne City

Melbourne City’s academy has produced a host of A-Leagues talents. At the end of the 2024 VPL1 season, Kavian Rahmani, Peter Antoniou, Lachlan Charles, Harry Shillington, Lawrence Wong, Medin Memeti and Arion Suleman all signed Isuzu UTE A-League contracts.

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Who else will make a name for themselves in VPL1 – the second tier of Victorian football?

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Once again led by Italian icon Alessandro Diamanti after finishing 10 points off the pace in 2024, City are away at Manningham United Blues on February 8.

Full fixture

Head coach: Alessandro Diamanti

League: VPL1

2024 finish: 5th

Squad: James NieuwenhuizenLachlan Charles, Peter Antoniou, Ryan Kalms, Harry Shillington, Lewis Marinucci, Jayden Necovski, Sebastien Giannella, Mikael Evagorou-Alao, Marcus Humbert, Xavier Stella, Zane Schreiber, Lawrence Wong, Angus Mackintosh, Ben Dunbar, James Georgiou, Kavian Rahmani, Emin Durakovic, Ben Mazzeo, Medin Memeti, Arion Sulemani, Mikey Ghossaini, John Kellis, Roland Ballah, Max Caputo

Melbourne Victory

It is an historic season for Melbourne Victory. For the first time in their history, they will feature in NPLM VIC – Victoria’s top flight.

Victory will go up against the likes of South Melbourne, Melbourne Knights and Oakleigh Cannons after winning VPL1 ahead of rivals Western United and Melbourne City.

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There is a new coach at the helm in Boris Seroshtan, who replaces Joe Palatsides after he joined French powerhouse Lyon Women.

Victory host Altona Magic in Round 1 on February 10.

Full fixture

Head coach: Boris Seroshtan

League: NPLM VIC

2024 finish: 1st in VPL1 (promoted)

Squad: Kasper Fonsboel, Daniel Graskoski, Christian Siciliano, Yona Sultan, Oskar von Schrenk, Aaron Bazenski, Linus Bourke, Damien Bozinovski, Nikolas Cevizovic, Fin Crompton, Raymond Diho, Joshua Inserra, James Lackay, William McIntosh, Tobenna Obani, Mason Oneil, John Paikopoulos, John Radimisis, Parker Williams, Lucas Alessi, Stasi Georgakopoulos, Charlie Gorevski, Alexi Houridis, James Houridis, Luka Kolic, Alexander Menelaou, Jack Mihailidis, Marucs Peretin, Kayne Razmovski, Noah Tanfara, Edon Ajrovski, Kaelan Galea, Austin Ganino, Phin Harbinson, Jesse Hoey, Jordan Hoey, Daniel Lazarevski, Alex Lee, Tommaso Minutoli, Malik Olukhale, Jing Reec, Mush Sawiz, Patrick Wall

Newcastle Jets

Back-to-back promotions will be the aim for Newcastle Jets after their historic 2024 campaign.

The Jets not only won the Premiership and Championship en route to promotion from the third tier in NSW, but they did it undefeated.

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More importantly, Newcastle have continued to nurture young talent with the likes of Will Dobson and Alex Nunes coming through the program.

The Jets meet Inter Lions in the first week on February 9.

Full fixture

Head coach: Damien Zane

League: Football NSW League One

2024 finish: 1st League Two (promoted)

Squad: Jordan Baylis, Garang Arou, Ben Van Dorsen, Kyle McSeveney, Kierry James, Angus Muddle, Christian Bracco, Janni Rafty, Ethan Debono, Xavier Bertoncello, Alex Nunes, Murray Peart, Max Cooper, Luca West, Billy Eick, Tommy Edmonds, Will Southcombe, Amos Okumu, Will Dobson

Perth Glory

Perth Glory are back for more and eyeing some improvement while providing a pathway for young talent through to the Isuzu UTE A-League.

The youthful Glory narrowly avoid relegation following a relegation/promotion play-off after finishing 11th in NPLM WA.

While 2024 was challenging, Khoa Ngo headlined the work of the academy setup after he has enjoyed A-Leagues minutes.

Perth play host to Fremantle City in Round 1 on March 15.

Full fixture

Head coach: Joe Heath

League: NPLM WA

2024 finish: 11th (Relegation/promotion play-off)

Squad: Adrian Pini, Alex Bolton, Alfie Knight, Christian Pullella, Daniel Jankulovski, Giovanni De Abreu, Hayden Thomas, Jhett Warner, Liam Starr, Louis Solitt, Malise Mpunga, Mark Cin Zah, Max Argent, Max Naylor, Maxim Uvarov, Noah Ieraci, Royie Rahamim, Ruben Argent, Ryan Warner, Santiago Flores, Sebastian Despotovski, Tadiwanashe Kuzamba, Tinomuonga Mutema, William Ferson

Sydney FC

Sydney FC’s academy has been in the spotlight after Hayden Matthews’ big move to Portsmouth in the EFL Championship, while others have graduated from the program to make an impact in the Isuzu UTE A-League.

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Jimmy van Weeren’s 2025 senior NPLM NSW side endured a topsy-turvy season but continue to boast an array of talent who have already earned either A-Leagues of AFC Champions League experience – from Zach De Jesus, Marin France and Wataru Kamijo to Will Kennedy.

Sydney FC begin their season on the road against NWS Spirit on February 8.

Full fixture

Head coach: Jimmy van Weeren

League: NPLM NSW

2024 finish: 14th

Squad: Joseph Calusic, Jacob Creman-Cowan, Corey Cronin, Zach De Jesus, Marin France, Alen Harbas, Taye Hedley, Gus Hoefsloot, Wataru Kamijo, Will Kennedy, Joseph Lacey, Mathias Macallister, Jared Middleton, Lachlan Middleton, Kyle Shaw, Tyler Williams, Sandy Zaverdinos

Wellington Phoenix

Wellington Phoenix have invested a lot of time and money in their youth program at A-Leagues level.

In the Isuzu UTE A-League, current first-teamers Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues, Isaac Hughes, Lukas Kelly-Heald, Luke Supyk, Alby Kelly-Heald, Nathan Walker and Luke Brooke-Smith have all come through the academy setup. In the Ninja A-League, Manaia Elliott, Ela Jerez, Ella McCann and Aimee Danieli were all promoted ahead of 2024-25.

Fixtures TBC

Head coach: Chris Greenacre (men’s), Callum Holmes (women’s)

Leagues: Men’s Central League, Women’s National League Championship

2024 finish: Men’s Central League (5th), National League Championship (9th)

Squad: TBC

Western Sydney Wanderers

Western Sydney Wanderers will be seeking more consistency in 2025 after fading last season following a red-hot start.

The Wanderers looked to be pushing for the Championship before going off the boil and eventually finishing 11th.

Aside from wins, new head coach Richie Cardozo will be seeing who can stand out and catch the eye of Alen Stajcic’s Isuzu UTE A-League outfit ahead of a February 8 opener against Mt Druitt Town Rangers.

Full fixture

Head coach: Richie Cardozo

League: NPLM NSW

2024 finish: 11th

Squad: Awan Lual, Edmun Haddad, Ryley Hollingdale, Luke Nieuwenhof, Jesse Cameron, Ricky Fransen, Antony Barbic, Alaat Abdul, Rahman, Richard Nkomo, Saxon Hillyer, Luka Knezevic, Dallo Sandy, Julian Cop, Nathan Barrie, Tristan Vidackovic, Lucas Sinnott, Nicholas Badolato

Western United

You need two hands to count the list of academy graduates who have progressed through to the A-Leagues in Tarneit.

From Abel Walatee and Jordan Lauton, to Dylan Leonard, Oli Lavale and Luke Vickery. There are more knocking on the door as Western United eye promotion.

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It was an eye-catching 2024 for Western, who now have Andreas Papanicolaou at the helm after Diogo Ferreira was promoted to John Aloisi’s assistant coach following Hayden Foxe’s move to the Subway Socceroos.

Western visit Bullen Lions on February 10.

Full fixture

Head coach: Andreas Papanicolaou

League: VPL1

2024 finish: 3rd

Squad (senior’s and U23s): Dylan Leonard, Luka Coveny, Luke Vickery, Khoder Kaddour, James York, Jordan Lauton, Jake Najdovski, Michael Vonja, Oli Lavale, Abel Walatee, Besian Kutleshi, Charbel Shamoon, Alex Nassiep, Lachlan Grundy, Jacob Nasso, Riley Foxe, Nicholas Koek, Shifa Ahmed, Harry Casci, Anthony Didulica, Mark Leonard, Victor Muhindo, Alex Marmura, Yannick Kengni, Ethan Robinson, Anderson Back, Christian Dermentzoglou, Mark Reec, Hasani Lumu, Ibrahim Kaddour, Abdurahman Omer, Deng Mayen, Emilio Datario, Jacob Buchanan, Blake Wirth, Christian Polyzoudis, Jonathon Hassan, Marcus Tavolaro, Oscar Tanic, Winston Ashburner, Lucas Simao