Welcome to Wonderkid Watch: A weekly piece that keeps you up to date with the players and stories emerging from A-Leagues clubs playing at NPL level in Australia.
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*There was a bye in NPLM WA, while Brisbane Roar’s NPLM QLD fixture was postponed
Western United gun’s two games in one day as leading scorer does it again
It was a busy day for a Western United talent over the weekend as the Green and Black’s academy enjoyed another successful outing.
Meet Tobias Servin. The Western United youngster, who celebrated his 17th birthday in February, played for both the senior academy team and the U23s on Sunday, and he scored in both matches.
With the senior side kicking off against FC Melbourne Srbija at 4pm (AEST) in Tarneit, Servin came off the bench and “changed the game completely”, according to academy director Anthony Frost.
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Servin scored in a 3-1 victory as second-placed Western United benefited from an own goal and Harry Casci‘s strike.
Servin then backed that up with a devastating 45-minute display for the U23s at 6:30pm (AEST). Starting for the league leaders, he scored twice in 18 minutes to fuel a 10-1 rout of FC Melbourne Srbija.
Alex Marmura netted a double, while Oscar Tanic, Ibrahim Kaddour, Anderson Back, Winston Ashburner, Ethan Robinson and Christian Dermentzoglou were also on target at Ironbark Fields.
Explaining the thought process behind Servin playing for both teams on Sunday, Frost told aleagues.com.au: “We look to play the U23 game after the senior game so we can we maximise match minutes for players that are on the bench in the Seniors.
“It also ensures that from a fitness perspective they are prepared to step in to start a game the week after. We’d prefer them playing football than doing top up runs post game.
“It’s just another marginal gain we can implement to help our players improve. More match minutes the better.”
Servin is progressing steadily in 2025. After four goals in four games for the U17 academy side, he has now scored five goals in seven U23 matches and two in four at VPL1 level.
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“He has a complete physical package for a traditional nine with a good ability to bring others in to the game in the build up. As he refines the consistency of his finishing he can become a very good player in the future,” Frost added.
“Tobias has elite physical attributes with rapid speed and good strength which makes for a very dangerous combination, in the mould of a traditional number nine. He’s able to bring others in to the game and help in the build up as well as be clinical with his finishing.
“He’s an exciting talent that we hope will continue to get more and more exposure to senior football as the VPL1 season goes on.”
Marmura’s two-goal haul, meanwhile, cemented his place atop the Golden Boot charts at U23 level in VPL1.
He has now scored 12 goals this season for Western United.
“Alex Marmura is a foundation academy player entering his third season with us and continues to make strong steps forward in our program having started in the U16s,” said Frost.
“Alex is an intelligent striker who makes smart runs, positioning himself in good areas to exploit attacks. Alex contributes really well in build up situations often linking with midfielders making him a really valuable player in possession.
“We’re pleased to see him make his senior football debut as he’s a player who works very diligently on and off the park to maximise his potential.”
In NPLM VIC, Melbourne Victory played out a 0-0 draw with Preston Lions on Monday night.
As for their U23s, Victory crushed Preston 5-0 to return to the top of the table thanks to goals from William McIntosh, Lucas Alessi, Phil Harbinson, Malik Olukhale and Mushahed Sawiz.
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In NPLM SA, Adelaide United played out a 2-2 draw with Para Hills Knights.
Fabian Grelli and Harry Crawford scored for the Reds before the home side equalised in the 91st minute.
Adelaide are third after six rounds, two points off the pace.
As for their reserves team, Adelaide defeated Para Hills 4-3 after sensationally overcoming a 3-1 deficit thanks to Mutsa Mupandawana, Sidiki Dukuly, Chris Irakoze and Kaspar Kuzman.
Irakoze equalised in the 82nd minute before Kuzman completed the comeback seven minutes later for the Reds, who are fourth and five points adrift of top spot.
Next gen emerging at high-flying Melbourne City, incl. teen with ‘unique football IQ’
Young guns are emerging right throughout Melbourne City’s academy as their senior team maintain promotion pace in VPL1.
City’s senior academy side are unbeaten after 10 rounds in Victoria’s second tier following an entertaining 6-3 win away to Caroline Springs George Cross on Saturday night.
Alessandro Diamanti’s youngsters produced a breath-taking first half to set the tone in Caroline Springs, where the league leaders scored three goals in six minutes to blitz the home side before adding another three goals in the second half.
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Yet to taste defeat in 2025, highly-rated Michael Ghossaini scored two goals in four minutes after Lawrence Wong opened the scoring in the 23rd minute.
Arion Sulemani struck twice in 10 second-half minutes to take his tally to a team-high five goals, while Benjamin Dunbar was also on target at City Vista Pavilion & Sports Field.
Ghossaini has earned a taste of Isuzu UTE A-League football this season, with the 17-year-old making eight appearances for Aurelio Vidmar’s men.
“Great to see him find some form with some goals at NPL level after having some A League exposure this season,” City’s senior academy manager Simon Zappia told aleagues.com.au.
“He is a natural goal scorer and more often than not finds himself in the right position.”
While Akeem Gerald did not find the back of the net, the 15-year-old earned a crucial penalty as he continues to impress in 2025.
Gerald, who only celebrated his 15th birthday in February, has four goals to his name this season. He is the youngest player to ever score for City’s senior youth team.
The teen spent some time at Tottenham as a kid when his family lived in England.
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“Akeem is contributing well to our VPL side and was again involved on the weekend winning a crucial penalty to help decide the game,” said Zappia.
“He is a direct winger who possesses a great combination of speed and technical ability making him very difficult to defend against. Alessandro (Diamanti) has also heavily praised his defensive work rate this season.”
There are a host of other academy prospects also flourishing in City’s Under-23 team, who are second in the competition – three points behind rivals Western United.
In a similar result to the senior side, Melbourne City accounted for Caroline Springs George Cross 6-2.
John Kellis led the way with a hat-trick, which he completed with two goals in five minutes late in the contest.
“John has unfortunately had to deal with many injuries through his time at the club but when fit is an elite goal scorer who is super active off the ball making clever movements to get in behind and in goal scoring positions,” Zappia said.
“We hope he can continue to show the consistency he has in recent weeks.”
Luke Becvinovski, the son of Victorian legend Sash, was also on the scoresheet again alongside Lewis Marinucci as the 15-year-old sensation took his tally to 10 goals for the season – enough for equal second in the Golden Boot race and just two short of the lead.
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“Luke, who was top scorer at the nationals last year, is a fantastic goal scorer who is learning to always be in the best positions to take his chances,” Zappia said.
“He has fantastic speed which allows him to be effective in behind but has also developed his game tremendously when coming to feet.
“At just 15 years of age he is currently performing very well at the level and we look forward to seeing his progression continue.”
One player not among the goals over the weekend but emerging in 2025 is Julian Recchia.
The nephew of former Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar player Carl, Julian has scored seven goals in 10 matches this season.
“Julian is performing very well in the U23s this season,” Zappia said.
“A natural leader, Julian has previously captained most age groups through the club as well as successful Victorian state teams at National Youth Championships where he has also been a player of the tournament.
“Julian has a unique football IQ and can see things on the pitch not many can. Julian is a very late physical developer and is only now going through his key growth phase.”
The same goes with City team-mate Ahmed Faraz Gulzari, who has eight goals in eight appearances for the U23 outfit so far this term.
“Faraz is a speedy winger who shows quality on both the right and left and can also play as a nine,” Zappia added. “His end product has improved this season and he is now getting more reward for his effort.
“Again, we look forward to seeing him continue to progress over the next period. He is a local boy signed out of Berwick City in 2021 following our move to Casey.”
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Wellington Phoenix flying high in New Zealand
Wellington’s men’s reserves made it three wins from three games in New Zealand’s Central League courtesy of a 2-0 win over Napier City Rovers.
Daniel Makowem got the ball rolling with a powerful half-volley before Gabriel Sloane-Rodrigues sealed the points.
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The Phoenix U18 women are also atop the standings following their 7-1 rout of Taradale AFC.
Katie Pugh, Isabella Temple, and Kya Solomon gave Wellington a 3-0 half-time lead before a Grace Barlett double added to the scoreline, with Holly Robins and captain Mackenzie Bryant also on the scoresheet.
At U18 men’s level, the Phoenix crushed Western Suburbs 7-0 via a Jack Perniskie hat-trick. Alessandro Marchesse‘s brace and Fletcher Pratt made up the scoring, along with an own goal.
Meanwhile, Ben Trenberth’s last-minute penalty gave the U16 boys a dramatic 3-2 win over Stokes Valley. Harry Grosso and Grayson Lunman also found the back of the net.
Over in NPLM NSW, Sydney FC took down rivals and nine-man Central Coast Mariners 1-0 on Friday night.
Lawrence Taylor and Shumba Mutokoyi were sent off for the Mariners as 11th-placed Sydney prevailed thanks to substitute Mathias Macallister.
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“I thought it was a good win for us,” Sydney FC head coach Jimmy Van Weeren told NPL NSW.
“We were the better side before and after the red card and I’m happy for the boys.
“We can learn at seeing out games, being more intelligent and this group is capable of competing and the results are starting to follow.”
Mariners counterpart Lucas Vilela added: “I think it was a good game, pretty even in the first half before the red card.
“Sydney FC are a good academy and we knew it was a big challenge. My boys did amazing, 11 against 9 is usually one-sided but we fought well and almost snatched it at the end.”
As for Western Sydney Wanderers, they stunned third-placed Manly United 2-0.
Julian Cop and Aidan Simmons secured the win for the 16-placed Wanderers on Saturday as they climbed off the foot of the table.
In the U20s, Central Coast edged Sydney FC 1-0 thanks to Fynn Sadler.
Tristan Arrarte and Kaan Nizam guided league-leading Western Sydney past Manly 2-1.
In NPLW NSW, Western Sydney Wanderers played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with UNSW FC.
A “special goal” from Talia Kapetanellis opened the scoring for Western Sydney at Wanderers Football Park, where the home side had led 3-1 via Miriam Zumaya and Anika Stajcic before UNSW FC rallied in the second half.
Bulls FC Academy lost 2-1 at NWS Spirit, despite a thunderous goal from Ashlee Brodigan.
As for Newcastle Jets, they lost 5-1 to Illawarra Stingrays. Alexis Collins scored for the home team.
It was a mixed weekend for two A-Leagues academies in Football NSW League One – the second tier.
Alex Nunes, Wil Southcombe, Luca West and Oliver Cockle scored for third-placed Newcastle Jets in a 4-2 triumph at Bonnyrigg White Eagles.
But fifth-placed Bulls FC Academy lost 2-0 away to UNSW FC as their seven-game unbeaten streak came to an end.
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At U20 level, Bulls FC Academy eased past UNSW FC 9-0.
Lachlan Sattout and Ali El-Sabeh both scored hat-tricks. The latter completed his treble in just 17 minutes after opening the scoring in the seventh minute.
Julian Rodriguez, Leandro Carle and Bassam Sabbagh also struck for the Bulls.
Meanwhile, the Jets edged Bonnyrigg 2-1 after Lucas Johnson and Cooper Vimpani scored in the first half.
The Bulls are level on points with the Jets but top the standings on goal difference.
