‘Crazy’ A-Leagues trend highlights rapid rise of two teenagers including 17yo ‘phenomenon’

Grace Kuilamu and Tiana Fuller – remember the names.

At 17 and 16 years of age respectively, Kuilamu and Fuller have been shining examples of the Ninja A-League’s overflowing pool of young talent this season.

Kuilamu of Brisbane Roar has five goals and two assists to her name through 13 games, six starts and just 686 match minutes this season, with her match-winner against Wellington Phoenix in Round 14 keeping the Roar in the top-four hunt.

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Fuller, meanwhile, has four goals for Central Coast Mariners and has scored in back-to-back games on two occasions this season.

The 16-year-old only scored five goals in 25 NSW NPL games for Football NSW Institute last season but has made the most of the first 10 games of her Ninja A-League career, bursting onto the scene with the Mariners with goals in her first two league games, as well as her two most recent appearances for Central Coast.

Together, Kuilamu and Fuller are quickly becoming two of the most talked about young players in the Ninja A-League and on this week’s episode of Dub Zone, A-Leagues commentator Teo Pellizzeri and Sydney FC star Mackenzie Hawkesby praised the two teenagers for their incredible impact on the competition this season.

“Tiana Fuller, four goals now as a 16-year-old and kind of going goal for goal in the teenage stakes with Grace Kuilamu,” Pellizzeri said.

“The production line. I mean, what more can you say about the Ninja A-League? There are just so many reliable talents that keep announcing themselves on this stage.”


Hawkesby added: “Each year you can see from different teams. I think this year’s been the biggest one for them (young players). Every round, I feel like there’s a new young player scoring. It’s good to see.”

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Grace Kuilamu is enjoying a breakout season in the Ninja A-League.

Kuilamu has done well to stand out among Brisbane’s stellar attacking unit this season, playing alongside regular CommBank Matildas Tameka Yallop and Sharn Freier as well as Freier’s twin sister Laini, who just this week earned her first Matildas call-up off the back of a seven-goal start to her own debut Ninja A-League campaign.

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The 17-year-old’s impact has been immense when considering her build-up to the 2024-25 campaign. Kuilamu debuted for Brisbane in 2023 at 16 but suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after just two appearances, missing the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

This week, Kuilamu extended her stay at Brisbane Roar with a contract extension set to keep the teenager at the club until 2026.

READ MORE: Impressive teen makes ‘easy decision’ to commit future to Brisbane Roar

“Grace Kuilamu is a phenomenon.

– Teo Pellizzeri on Dub Zone

“It’s extraordinary to think that she’s only 13 months removed from an ACL (injury) and she’s come back seemingly without missing a beat,” Pellizzeri continued. “She’s up to six career goals, five this season alone.

“Mackenzie, you haven’t actually had the chance to play against her very often because of the injury last season. What’s it like when you see this going on in another team and a player is basically having their breakout season before your eyes?”

“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Hawkesby replied.

“I feel like with Brisbane, it’s happening to a different player every week. She came on against us when we played them, and I could see it. I was like, ‘Okay, this girl’s powerful. she’s strong’.

“For Brisbane, they’re just scoring so many goals. They have so many avenues to go with different players. So it’s great to see.”

Kuilamu took just 13 games to reach five Ninja A-League goals; in comparison, Matildas and A-leagues legend Sam Kerr took 20 career games to reach the same goals tally.