Dylan Leonard has taken the A-Leagues by storm amid his meteoric rise with Western United. aleagues.com.au looks at the numbers behind the teenager’s extraordinary debut season.
There was a sliding doors moment that changed the course of the season, and potentially the career, of Dylan Leonard.
If veteran Western United centre-back James Donachie had not suffered a calf injury ahead of Round 2 in October, Leonard’s minutes may have been limited in 2024-25. But an unfortunate situation for one-time champion Donachie has seen the Green and Black unearth a genuine gem.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
The 17-year-old ball-paying defender has emerged as one of the brightest talents in Australian football amid his meteoric rise in Tarneit, where he has already made history as the club’s youngest ever debutant and goalscorer in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
Incredibly, Leonard is just 17 matches into his professional career but the academy graduate has not looked overawed. In fact, the teenage sensation is only getting better.
“It’s one of those ones you see the more he plays, the better he is getting,” Western head coach John Aloisi said when asked by aleagues.com.au about Leonard after the Round 20 win over Adelaide United.
“Physically he is getting better as well. I thought last week against Auckland was the best he has looked all season physically.
“Dylan’s really now starting to get used to the levels of A-League but also the intensity of training. So the more he trains with us every day and the more he gets through those difficult spells, the better he will be.
“He read a lot of good situations today, comfortable on the ball. He plays out well and doesn’t panic. Even if he makes a mistake or a bad pass, he still wants the ball the next time. That’s a good attribute to have.”
WONDERKID WATCH: 102-goal Aussie teen goes off in extraordinary 8-minute masterclass
Leonard – valued at more than $4million by CIES Football Observatory – joined Western’s academy from Port Melbourne Sharks in 2024, and signed his first pro deal aged 16; he has not looked back and the numbers he’s producing are incredible.
A true modern-day centre-back with composed ball-playing and physical strength, his attributes are reflected in the data. It paints the perfect picture for a talent seen as a future Socceroo.
Among defenders in 2024-25, Leonard ranks first for successful launches (18) while he is second for possessional passes (1,259) and total carries (353).
He is also third for total carry distance (3254.1), carry directness (143.1), successful passes in own half (775) and fourth for successful passes (1,035) – only behind Central Coast Mariners star Brian Kaltak, Wellington Phoenix centre-back Scott Wootton and Newcastle Jets’ Mark Natta.
R20 TALKING POINTS: World No. 89 to ‘look at’ A-Leagues gun starring in new position
YOUNG SOCCEROOS: Meet the rising stars who broke Australia’s 12-year World Cup drought chasing glory in Asia
Since the start of the Isuzu UTE A-League in 2005-06 among defenders aged 21 or under (minimum 10 matches played), Leonard leads the way for total carries per 90 minutes (22.19), total carry distance per 90 (204.52), possessional passes per 90 (79.13) and successful passes in own half (48.17).
The young Aussie is also third for carry directness per 90 (8.99), only behind Adelaide United sensation Panagiotis Kikianis and A-Leagues graduate Nectar Triantis in the history of the competition. He sits fourth for total carry progress for 90 (95.18).
‘THIS IS MY SECOND HOME’: Abel Walatee’s heart-warming post-game interview
Leonard is an emerging star who is comfortable in possession and carrying the ball out of defence with elite distribution skills, while also strong in the tackle.
He also leads Western United in total carries, total carry distance, total carry progress, carry directness, successful passes, successful passes in own half and possessional passes.
“What’s pleased me about Dylan – he still has a lot to learn, he is only 17 and we’re working on that with him and he’s willing to learn, but his composure when going through certain challenging times already,” Aloisi said earlier this season.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR TICKETS TO THE ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE
When asked if he has been surprised at how quickly Leonard has adapted to the Isuzu UTE A-League, Aloisi replied: “A little bit I’ll be honest because you just don’t know how they will adapt to the pressures of playing for points in front of crowds and playing against senior pros.
“He played against Adam Taggart who’s been around for a long period. In other games he’s played against different players who’ve played at certain levels.
“Little bit surprised he’s taken it in his stride so easily and quickly, and he knows there’s still a lot to learn and keep on improving. But I’m happy with the way he’s not got too nervous about the situation the team is in and what he’s up against.”
