The 2022-23 Isuzu UTE A-League season saw the emergence of new stars in Australia, but who stood out from the rest?
If there is one thing the Isuzu UTE A-League has done over the years, it’s unearth new talent.
From Garang Kuol, Connor Metcalfe and Nathaniel Atkinson, to the likes of Rodrigo Vargas and Sasa Ognenovski.
With all eyes on the upcoming Dolan-Warren Awards on June 1 and the blockbuster Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne City Grand Final on June 3, KEEPUP has collated a list of the 10 breakout stars this season.
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL – TICKET DETAILS
ISUZU UTE A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL – TICKET DETAILS
Brian Kaltak (Central Coast Mariners)
He is the definition of a breakout star and his journey is one of perseverance.
Kaltak earned his first professional contract as a 29-year-old at the start of the season. It was initially an injury-replacement deal until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
A-LEAGUES FAIRY TALE: Epic story of World No.164’s only pro footballer
KALTAK: How two Mariners changed everything for a 6-year-old fan
The Vanuatu international has not be overawed by the step up. Instead, he has taken the competition by storm in his 24 appearances, so much so that he now has a contract in Gosford until 2025.
Strong and frighteningly quick, Kaltak has been integral to Central Coast’s run to the June 3 Grand Final.
Calem Nieuwenhof (Western Sydney Wanderers)
One team’s pain is another’s gain, and that is certainly the case when it comes to Nieuwenhof.
The 22-year-old midfielder crossed the Sydney divide heading into 2022-23, swapping the Sky Blue of Sydney FC for the red and black of Western Sydney in a move that has seen his career reach new heights.
Nieuwenhof immediately established himself in Marko Rudan’s plans in the heart of midfield and he was one of the first players on the team sheet, starting all 27 of his matches as the Wanderers reached the Elimination Final, having only managed 46 minutes of action the season prior.
The Olyroos midfielder was even linked with a sensational move to Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish champions Celtic.
Nectarios Triantis (Central Coast Mariners)
Nick Montgomery and the Mariners love unearthing gems and giving opportunities to players. Triantis seized his chance on the coast this season.
Having monitored Triantis for a number of years, Central Coast signed the former Western Sydney defender on a three-year deal in July last year.
Part of the Mariners’ strategy to secure young players while developing them before making the move abroad, Triantis has barely put a foot wrong in his 24 appearances this season.
The 20-year-old, who has also spent time on international duty with the Young Socceroos, has formed a strong partnership with Kaltak, one that has helped the Mariners to their first decider in a decade.
Keegan Jelacic (Perth Glory)
The 2022-23 season was the season of Jelacic in Perth.
He had his first taste of A-Leagues football, albeit briefly, during his time with Brisbane Roar in 2021, but the attacking midfielder emerged as a genuine talent under Ruben Zadkovich this term.
In the space of 10 months, Jelacic went from starring for Olympic FC in the NPLM QLD to starting 21 consecutive games for Perth. He scored his first Isuzu UTE A-League goals and was regularly a shining light for a Glory team that finished six points outside the top six.
His dazzling first campaign with Perth has seen the Young Socceroo tipped to move to Belgium in the off-season.
“He’s a young man who for me is the brightest talent in Australian football,” Glory boss Zadkovich said in March.
“I know that’s a pretty big statement, and there’ll be others who disagree. He’s got so many areas to improve in terms of in front of goal, final third and end product, but from where I had him to where he is, is actually very scary.”
Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United)
The footballing community ran of our superlatives for Adelaide’s brightest talent this season.
While he did not start a match for the Semi Finalists, the 17-year-old was a threat off the bench with five goals in 581 A-League Men minutes. And those goals weren’t tap-ins, either.
Irankunda, who was called into the Socceroos squad for March’s international friendlies against Ecaudor, has scored eight goals in his A-Leagues career – eclipsing the record set by Mohamed Toure (seven) for strikes before turning 18.
He is a player, who has not only been linked with Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Milan and Inter, but also had fans off their seats at Coopers Stadium and beyond.
Noah Botic (Western United)
Western’s title defence was unsuccessful in 2022-23, but there was shining light for John Aloisi’s side.
Botic has had to bide his time in the west of Melbourne. He amassed just 24 minutes of playing time in 2021-22 but this season he featured 21 times – 10 of those starts, and scored a career-high six goals.
At times the 21-year-old, who has previously been likened to Australian legend Mark Viduka, even kept former Serbia international Aleksandar Prijovic out of the line-up.
The former Hoffenheim youngster, who previously trialled at Manchester United, had his form rewarded with a two-year contract extension. He is set to be at the forefront of a new era at Western with plenty of ins and outs after failing to qualify for the Finals Series.
Jordy Bos (Melbourne City)
In a team stacked with talent, Bos has been a standout for Melbourne City.
Another success story of City’s academy, the 20-year-old full-back established himself as one of the competition’s elite talents.
His Isuzu UTE A-League performances and impeccable physique, not only drew comparisons to Wales legend Gareth Bale, but also saw him earn his first Socceroos cap in March.
The Grand Final against the Mariners will be Bos’ last in a City shirt, with the Hoppers Crossing junior preparing for life with Westerlo in Belgium’s top flight after making history as the record outbound transfer from Australia, for a reported fee of $2 million.
Luka Jovanovic (Adelaide United)
Play the kids seems to be a motto in South Australia, where Jovanovic became the latest youngster to experience first-team football with Adelaide.
The 18-year-old forward had his first taste of senior football and he capped his senior debut with a goal. He finished the campaign with three goals in nine matches and earned Player of the Month honours in March.
It continues the rise of a player who suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2020, meaning he missed the entire 2021 campaign.
But he bounced back last season, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances to earn a scholarship contract up until the 2023-24 season.
Aidan Simmons (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Niuewenhof and Milos Ninkovic weren’t the only players to trade Sydney for the Wanderers. Simmons also made the cross-town switch at the start of the season.
Without an A-Leagues appearance as a Sky Blue, the 19-year-old left for greener pastures and Western Sydney provided that in 2022-23. He played in 13 matches for the resurgent Wanderers, scoring once.
The Young Socceroo, on a scholarship contract, put in a string of impressive displays as star-studded Western Sydney returned to the finals for the first time since 2016-17.
Jed Drew (Macarthur FC)
A season that promised so much after winning the Australia Cup ended with an Isuzu UTE A-League wooden spoon, but Macarthur’s campaign did bring the emergence of Drew.
The 19-year-old burst onto the scene this season with 22 appearances and two goals for the Bulls, who finished bottom of the standings.
Drew opened his A-Leagues account in November and did not look back as Mile Sterjovski brought in a new era in Campbelltown.
