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.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
Featured image: Melbourne City
Melbourne City on verge of club first
Melbourne City are one win away from reaching NPLM VIC for the first time in their history.
Led by Italian great Alessandro Diamanti, City’s senior academy side are on the cusp of history following their dramatic 4-3 VPL1 semi-final play-off victory against FC Melbourne Srbija.
Never before have City featured in Victoria’s top flight but now Brunswick City are all that stands between the A-Leagues academy outfit and first-division football in 2026.
City will go head-to-head with Brunswick at Lakeside Stadium on Sunday afternoon thanks to a 94th-minute winner from captain Marcus Humbert.
BIG INTERVIEW: Milligan’s ‘belief’ for Aussie football inspired by a legend and what it means for Jet
Humbert’s deflected goal settled the dramatic contest in Casey Fields on Saturday after Melbourne Srbija had rallied from 3-1 down.
“Marcus has captained the team superbly well this season,” City’s senior academy manager Simon Zappia told aleagues.com.au. “Another one who made a well-earned appearance in the recent Australia Cup fixture v APIA.”
WHO IS PIERO QUISPE? Meet the South American ‘MVP’ who only wanted Sydney FC after snapping 10-year trophy drought
WHEN DOES THE TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSE? Everything you need to know ahead of deadline day
City, who ended the regular season in third position behind promoted pair Bentleigh Greens and Caroline Springs George Cross, were in control of the play-off tie at half-time.
After Lewis Marinucci‘s third-minute opener, Ryan Kalms scored twice to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
Kalms has been a “standout” for City in 2025 as the young gun took his tally to five goals this term.
‘HE’S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN THE A-LEAGUE’: How do Wanderers replace quartet?
EXPLAINED: Why Isuzu UTE A-League star has finally said yes to World No. 168 after 7 years
“He has really embraced the defensive side of the game which has allowed his performances to go to the next level, including in the recent Australia Cup game where he was arguably the best player on the pitch,” Zappia said of Kalms.
“Ryan has sacrificed more than most back and forth to training from Bendigo for close to five years before moving to Melbourne to finish off his VCE.
“He is a real role model for the rest of the academy.”
Young gun stars against a Glory great
There was more drama across in Western Australia, where Perth Glory took a giant step towards an NPLM WA Grand Final.
Glory overcame Perth RedStar 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 draw in their Top Four showdown over the weekend.
Ryan Warner was the hero for Glory, with the young goalkeeper saving a pair of penalties – including one from club legend Liam Reddy, as Perth prevailed to move into Tuesday night’s Semi-Final against Olympic Kingsway.
INSIDE AUCKLAND FC’S TRANSFER PLANS: ‘Biggest challenge’ clear as global search begins
INTERVIEW: ‘Amazing story’ that highlights A-Leagues club’s ‘deliberate’ academy strategy
“Ryan is a great lad and a talented goalkeeper. He is a calm and laid back personality but when it comes to on the pitch he is a winner,” senior academy head coach Joe Heath told aleagues.com.au.
“He joined us from Sydney United at the start of the season and has progressed really well.
“Himself and his family have made some big sacrifices by moving him over West to pursue a career in football.
“I thought he was outstanding in our game v Red Star, making some big saves during the game, then saving two penalties in the shoot-out.”
It was a thrilling showdown at RedStar Arena, where Sebastian Despotovski and Daniel Jankuloski both scored to cancel out an early deficit.
Glory went on to outlast RedStar on penalties and extend their season, with a Grand Final berth on the line against Olympic Kingsway.
FEATURE: ‘Unique’ opportunity for ‘club of the future’ as A-Leagues academy share ‘big goal’
“To reach the final of the top four would be an amazing achievement for our academy and club,” Heath said.
“It highlights the talent we have here in our academy and how the future is bright for Perth Glory.
“Making the top four allows us to expose our young players to pressured situations, to further develop them ready for A-League.”
Heath added: “The players and staff have worked very hard this year and are now getting the rewards for that.
“I am a firm believer in the saying luck is when preparation meets opportunity! The team has prepared well through out the season and a safe place has been created for them to perform, make mistakes and grow as individuals.
“The talent was never in question, it’s the desire, the focus and the mindset to be better every day that makes the difference.”
‘CREDIT TO THE A-LEAGUE’: Popa’s passionate message as ‘proven’ pathway produces new wave of Socceroos
At Under-23 level, Glory progressed to the Top Four Final after blitzing Olympic Kingsway 5-2 on Saturday.
Goal machine Cristiano Farfan led the way with a double, while Tadiswa Shaun Mutyavaviri, Achnaff Sayon and Tyler Fitch were also on target.
Farfan has now scored 30 goals in 2025, having claimed the Golden Boot. The next highest goalscorer this season is Bayswater City’s Scotlan Morrison (19).
“Cristiano has risen to the level this season and is definitely someone we have our eye on,” Heath said.
“Now for him it is about working hard in the off season to make sure he comes back pre-season in the best condition he can to push for a sport in the NPL.”
Teen sensation scores stunner in play-off
Arthur De Lima was at it again in a crucial match for Central Coast Mariners.
The teenage sensation scored a stunning goal to help the Mariners earn a 2-2 draw away to SD Raiders in the opening leg of their relegation/promotion play-off on Saturday.
Central Coast are going head-to-head with Football NSW League One runners-up SD Raiders in a two-legged relegation/promotion play-off after finishing second-bottom in NPLM NSW in 2025.
‘IT’S GREAT’: What the Isuzu UTE A-League has ‘shown us’ after Socceroos v All Whites clash
The Mariners were also involved in a relegation play-off last season and overcame Bulls FC Academy to stay in the top flight.
This time around, the tie is evenly poised heading into the return fixture at Pluim Park after a four-goal battle, headlined by De Lima’s moment of brilliance.
De Lima, who signed a three-year scholarship contract last year, struck in the 45th minute to cancel out SD Raiders’ opener before Bailey Brandtman put the Mariners ahead early in the second half after the former turned provider.
However, SD Raiders salvaged a draw 19 minutes from the end to setup a do-or-die clash on Friday night.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME AN A-LEAGUES CLUB MEMBER TODAY!
In NPLW NSW, premiers Bulls FC Academy booked their place in the Grand Final after a 3-1 extra-time victory over Mt Druitt Town Rangers.
Claudia Valetta opened the scoring for the Bulls before Leena Khamis forced extra-time.
The Bulls came out on top in the additional 30 minutes, with captain Liz Grey and Jade Guichon on target.
APIA Leichhardt await in the decider.
In New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix women’s reserves lost 4-1 to powerhouse Auckland United in the Kate Sheppard Cup final. Grace Bartlett equalised for the ‘Nix before Auckland came out on top.
