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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‘One of the most exciting young strikers in the country’ lights up NPL
Skye Halmarick is continuing to show why Sydney FC have secured her services for the Ninja A-League 2025-26 season.
Described as “one of the most exciting young strikers in the country” upon her Sky Blues unveiling in July, the 17-year-old sensation has been lighting up NPLW NSW with seventh-placed NWS Spirit in 2025.
Halmarick has scored a league-high 23 goals after her outrageous hat-trick in NWS Spirit’s 3-0 win over Macarthur Rams on the weekend.
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The NPL phenomenon celebrated the “perfect” three-goal haul. Her hat-trick featured a sublime half-volley, a stunning long-range strike from near the half-way line and a wonderful free-kick.
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“Skye has had an outstanding NPL season and shown she’s a natural goalscorer with pace and strong instincts in front of goal,” Sydney FC head coach Ante Juric said previously.
“She’s composed, quick, and has a real hunger to keep improving – all the things we look for in a young striker.
“We believe she has the potential to make a real impact and we’re looking forward to helping her transition into the A-League and develop into a top professional.”
Halmarick’s move to Sydney FC continues a recent theme for the Sky Blues.
Heading into the 2024-25 campaign, Juric’s Sydney signed NPLW NSW Golden Boot winner and youngster Amber Luchtmeijer, who flourished for Bulls FC Academy.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be signing with Sydney FC – they’re my local club and a team I’ve always looked up to,” Halmarick said.
“To be part of this squad and represent a club I’ve supported for so long is really special.
“I’m excited to keep learning, grow my game and test myself at A-League level. Of course, scoring goals would be a dream, but my focus is on improving and contributing however I can.”
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Meanwhile, Bulls FC Academy lead the way in NPLW NSW.
Isabella Coco-Di Sipio‘s brace fuelled their 4-1 rout of Gladesville Ravens, while Jynaya Dos Santos and Petria Phillips were also on target as the Bulls scored three goals in nine first-half minutes.
Elsewhere, Western Sydney Wanderers lost 1-0 to Northern Tigers and Marni Duggan scored in Newcastle Jets’ 2-1 defeat to Sydney University.
At Under-23 level, academy prospect Catalina Wyrzynski scored two goals in three minutes to help the second-placed Wanderers conquer Northern Tigers 3-2. She has scored 15 goals this season, with 14 of those for the U23s. Christa Oliva also found the back of the net.
Sophia Furia scored for the Bulls in their 2-1 loss to Gladesville, while the Jets were beaten 6-0 by Sydney University.
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Adelaide qualify for semi-finals as teenage sensation stars again
The NPLM SA semi-finals await Adelaide United after overcoming FK Beograd 2-1 in a hard-fought elimination final.
FK Beograd were making their first finals appearance in 21 years and the youthful Reds spoiled the party as they rallied to overturn a deficit while navigating a numerical disadvantage away from home.
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Adelaide prodigy Amlani Tatu scored a 31st-minute equaliser before teammate Ryan White put the Reds ahead via the penalty spot four minutes prior to half-time.
The Reds had to dig deep to see out the win after Harry Crawford – who was crowned Adelaide’s Youth Player of the Year alongside White – and Bailey O’Neill were both sent off in the 69th minute.
Next up for 2023 champions Adelaide is a blockbuster home semi-final showdown with premiers MetroStars on August 30.
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In VPL1, Melbourne City fell agonisingly short of automatic promotion on a dramatic final day in Victoria.
City suffered a 2-0 loss away to Brunswick City as they fell into the promotion play-offs while Bentleigh Greens and Caroline Springs George Cross went up to NPLM VIC.
The race to the title and automatic promotion went right down to the wire. City were within a point of leaders Bentleigh and only ahead of George Cross on goal difference, with the top two teams securing automatic promotion to the first division.
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But City’s final-day defeat coupled with George Cross’ 8-0 win over Western United means Alessandro Diamanti’s side will now meet North Sunshine Eagles in a semi-final play-off.
Western United will take on Brunswick City in the other semi-final play-off.
Meanwhile in the U23s, Western United pipped Melbourne City to the title.
Nahom Yohannes‘ goal guided Western United to a 1-0 win over George Cross and the U23 crown, despite City’s 6-0 rout of Brunswick City which saw Daniel Matina bag a double to go with goals from Thomas Nasso, Julian Recchia, Kai Satilmis and an own goal.
The Green and Black finished just a point ahead of rivals City.
In NPLM VIC, relegated Melbourne Victory ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Dandenong City. Their U23s also lost 3-0 to the same opposition.
Over in NPLM WA, Perth Glory will travel to Perth RedStar for an Elimination Final after losing 3-2 to Olympic Kingsway on the final day of the regular season.
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Louis Sollitt and Adam Bugarija scored for fourth-placed Glory, whose U23s took another step towards a treble.
Glory, fielding an U20 side, won the U23 title on goal difference despite a 3-0 loss to Olympic Kingsway. They are also in the State Cup final on Saturday before heading into the Top Four Cup.
Exciting Sydney ‘warrior’ likened to Aussie taking the UK by storm
Jordan Graoroski has settled in seamlessly at Sydney FC and his new team believe the sky is the limit for the talented teenager.
Graoroski scored two goals in Sydney FC’s entertaining 3-3 draw with fifth-placed Blacktown City on Friday night.
Despite missing 14 players due to “various reasons”, the Sky Blues managed to hold Blacktown to a draw.
Highly-rated teenager Graoroski starred with a 26-minute brace while Lachlan Middleton was also on target.
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Australia youth international Graoroski only made the switch to Sydney FC from Rockdale Ilinden during the midseason transfer window but the Sky Blues had been monitoring him for four years. The 17-year-old Sutherland junior has been likened to academy graduate Adrian Segecic, who is now starring at EFL Championship outfit Portsmouth after sharing the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League Golden Boot.
“He’s a really exciting talent that we believe has a really bright and long future in front of him,” NPL/NYL head coach and senior academy technical lead Jim van Weeren told aleagues.com.au.
“If you watch him at training, day in, day out, or in any matchday activities, he’s a mentality warrior. Nothing seems to faze him. He can make a mistake, he can be up against tough opposition. Things aren’t going well with the team, and no matter what he’s just giving 100%.
“He’s a real winner, and shows a really strong winning mindset, somewhat similar to Adrian Segecic and some others who have come through the academy before him.
“We’re really excited to see what we can do and the role we can play in his development now that he’s with us, and excited to see his future career unfold, because we think he has a very high ceiling.”
Western Sydney Wanderers boosted their survival hopes with a 3-0 win over St George FC.
Goals from Aydan Hammond, Tristan Arrarte and Johnny Pavlovic propped the Wanderers to a vital win.
The result not only lifted Western Sydney off the foot of the table but set up a huge final-day showdown against relegation-threatened rivals Central Coast Mariners, who lost 3-1 to newly-crowned premiers NWS Spirit.
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“It was a huge result for us and a long time coming, we’ve been in games and not converted our chances,” said Wanderers head coach Richard Cardozo via NPL NSW.
“The mentality was top today across the whole squad including our substitutes and I can’t be prouder.
“[Jesse] Cameron is a top pro, he is always switched on and the best person to lead this team in their fight to stay in the league. Everything is in our hands, away at the Mariners but hopefully the same result happens next week.”
In Football NSW League One, Newcastle Jets crushed Macarthur Rams 5-0.
Janni Rafty led the way with two goals, while Alex Nunes, Noah Miller and Ethan Debono also found the back of the net.
Bulls FC Academy played out a 3-3 draw with Hakoah Sydney City East. Michael Krslovic bagged a double and Atiya Waraga chipped in with a goal of his own.
In the U20s, the Bulls moved clear atop the table following their 4-1 rout of Hakoah inspired by Dimo Dimo, Alvaro Soto, Bassam Sabbagh and Leandro Carle.
The Bulls are four points clear of second-placed Newcastle, who lost 2-1 to Macarthur Rams Markus Wolscher‘s opener.
In New Zealand, Wellington Phoenix men’s reserves drew 2-2 with North Wellington in the Central League. Anaru Cassidy and Ryan Watson gave the Phoenix a two-goal lead before North Wellington rallied.
The Phoenix women’s reserves also drew 3-3 against Petone. Ella McMillan, Katie Pugh, and Lily Brazendale all netted for the ‘Nix.
As for Auckland FC, they earned a 2-2 draw with second-placed Birkenhead United. Ralph Rutherford and an own goal helped the young Black Knights to a point.
Meanwhile, Brisbane Roar lost 2-1 to WDSC Wolves in NPLM QLD.
