NPL Women NSW: The big-name A-League stars heading back to their hometown clubs
With the 2023-24 A-League Women’s season done and dusted, players head home to their clubs for the NPLW season. Check out all the stars returning to NPLW NSW.
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With the 2023-24 A-League Women’s season over, the NPL Women’s NSW season is just getting started.
Its a tight race at the top of the ladder after 12 rounds with Manly United leading the league with just two losses so far this season.
Now that the ALW season is over, some of the best talent the league has to offer heads back to represent their clubs.
Check out all the players back in the NPLW this season.
Peta Trimis - Bulls FC Academy from Central Coast Mariners FC
Trimis was one of the breakout stars of the 2023-24 A-League Women’s season, starring for the Mariners in their return to the competition. She was nominated as a Young Footballer of the Year while her original scholarship contract was upgraded to a full-time contract midway through the season after some impressive performances. Trimis will be a welcome addition to Bulls FC for the remainder of the season, after featuring for the side’s 2023 grand final run.
Briana Woodall - Bulls FC Academy from Central Coast Mariners FC
Mexican-American midfielder Briana Woodall is set for her first season in the NPLW NSW following her ALW debut this past season. The 25-year-old only made two appearances for the Mariners but has gained valuable experience under Coach of the Year Emily Husband and will only continue to grow in the NPLW.
Gemma Ferris - Bulls FC Academy from Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Gemma Ferris is back with the Bulls after another solid A-League season with the Wanderers, where she made 13 appearances. The 17-year-old was also part of the Young Matildas’ U-20 Asian Cup squad who travelled to Uzbekistan earlier this year, scoring a goal in the side’s bronze-medal campaign.
Avaani Prakash - Bulls FC Academy from Western United FC
Avaani Prakash made her A-League debut this season, appearing in 14 matches for Western United and scoring one goal. The 17-year-old was forced to move from her childhood home in Sydney to Tarneit in order to join the Victorian team and gained valuable experience under coach Kat Smith. Prakash rejoins the Bulls after featuring for them last season, where they went all the way to the grand final.
Kiara De Domizio - APIA Leichhardt FC from Western United FC
Securing Kiara De Domizio is a massive coup for APIA this season after she had a solid first season in the A-League. De Domizio defects to APIA from classic rivals Sydney Olympic and will be a great addition to the side’s front line. De Domizio made just four appearances for Western United, recording two yellow cards and scoring her first professional goal.
Paige Hayward - APIA Leichhardt FC from Central Coast Mariners FC
Former Adelaide United forward Paige Hayward brought some much needed experience to the young Central Coast Mariners side for their comeback season. She heads to the reigning premiers APIA Leichhardt after previously playing in the NPLW NSW in 2022 for Bankstown City Lions.
Kahli Johnson - Manly United FC from Western United FC
Now a veteran at Manly United, Kahli Johnson returns home after her second season with Western United in the A-League. Johnson featured in 13 matches with Western last season, scoring three goals. She also had a disrupted season, heading to Uzbekistan with the Young Matildas for the U20 Asian Cup.
Alexia Karrys-Stahl - Manly United FC from Central Coast Mariners FC
Alexia Karrys-Stahl’s sophomore season in the A-League as much more successful than her first as she feature in 16 matches for the Central Coast Mariners. She had previously played for Canberra United, but only made four appearances. The ACT native now joins Manly United in the NPLW NSW and is set to be a key player for the side currently top of the table.
Indiana and Jynaya Dos Santos - Blacktown Spartans FC from Sydney FC
Dos Santos sisters Indiana and Jynaya are back in the NPLW, this time joining Blacktown Spartans. Both girls were part of Sydney FC’s consecutive championship campaigns after making their league debuts in the 2022-23 season. They both travelled to Uzbekistan as part of the Young Matildas squad, with Indiana also leading the U17 side for their disappointing Asian Cup.
Alyssa Whinham - Blacktown Spartans FC from Wellington Phoenix FC
Kiwi international Alyssa Whinham is set for her first NPLW season down under, signing with Blacktown Spartans for the remainder of 2024. The 20-year-old made 16 appearances for the Phoenix this season, scoring one goal and recording two assists. The New Zealand junior representative will be a great addition to the Spartans.
Deborah-Anne de la Harpe - Gladesville Ravens from Brisbane Roar FC
Australian-born Irish international Deborah-Anne de la Harpe is a massive signing for the Ravens, who have been consistently improving in their second season in the NPLW. De la Harpe brings plenty of A-League experience to her new club, with a season with Brisbane Roar complimented by stints at Perth Glory and Sydney FC previously.
Alex Huynh - Northern Tigers FC from Newcastle Jets FC
Despite announcing her retirement from professional football, defender Alex Huynh is back in the NPLW but this time in new colours. The two-time championship winner with Macarthur Rams has moved to Northern Tigers and will be a solid, consistent figure in the side’s backline.
Isabel Gomez - Northern Tigers FC from Central Coast Mariners FC
Izzy Gomez was one of the Mariners’ shining stars this ALW season, with her efforts for her new club earning her the Players’, Coaches’ and OSC Player of the Year honours. She missed just one match during the season due to suspension and was arguably one of the most entertaining players in the league. Gomez returns to the Northern Tigers where she’s spent the last two seasons.
Maia Cameron - UNSW FC from Canberra United
Canberra native Maia Cameron makes her NPLW NSW debut with UNSW FC after also making her ALW debut for Canberra United this season. Cameron had been part of Canberra United’s Academy program, representing the team in the 2023 NPL season. The 18-year-old will benefit greatly from experience in the NSW top division with UNSW.
Tiahna Robertson - UNSW FC from Newcastle Jets FC
Robertson’s cameo in the A-League last season was short but sweet after signing on with the Jets as an injury replacement keeper in March. The 21-year-old featured in just three matches before the end of the season but was widely applauded for her efforts. She’s now back with UNSW, where she helped bring the side up from League One in 2023.
Ella Abdul-Massih - NWS Spirit FC from Western Sydney Wanderers
Abdul-Massih played in her third A-League Women season this year, despite being only 18-years-old. She appeared in 12 matches for Western Sydney and is now back with the Spirit under new coach Tony Candy.
Sarah Morgan - NWS Spirit FC from Adelaide United
Midfielder Sarah Morgan made the move to Adelaide from stints with Perth Glory and Western Sydney in the past two seasons where she amassed 13 total appearances. She featured in all but three matches for Adelaide this past season and now heads back to the Spirit where she spent 2023 after moving from Sydney University SFC.
Sienna Saveska - Illawarra Stingrays from Sydney FC
Another teenage star, Sienna Saveska joins the Stingrays after making her ALW debut with Sydney FC. The 17-year-old had spent the past couple of seasons as part of the Football NSW Institute program and has represented Australia with the Young Matildas. Saveska is a Cringila native and had never represented the Stingrays until now.
Brianna Edwards - Illawarra Stingrays from Wellington Phoenix FC
Kiwi keeper Brianna Edwards has joined her twin sister Siobhan at the Stingrays after a decent season with the Phoenix. Both Edwards sisters have moved to Illawarra from Bankstown City, who were relegated at the end of last season.
Tiana Jaber - Sydney Olympic FC from Wellington Phoenix FC
Defender Tiana Jaber has moved back across the ditch following her first season with the Wellington Phoenix, after previously representing Western Sydney Wanderers, Western United and Newcastle Jets during her A-League career. She’s moved to Sydney Olympic from Bankstown City, where she’s spent the past few years.
Sarah Langman - Sydney Olympic FC from Central Coast Mariners FC
A veteran keeper fresh off a successful season with the Mariners, Langman is now the centre of Olympic’s defence. The 28-year-old previously played for the Northern Tigers and APIA Leichhardt in the 2022 and 2023 NPLW seasons respectively, and moved to the Central Coast to share goalkeeping duties with dual-athlete Casey Dumont. Langman is a reliable keeper and is likely to replace Japanese import Sayaka Koyama between the sticks for the rest of the season.
Lauren Keir - Sydney Olympic FC from Western Sydney Wanderers FC
Canberran defender Lauren Keir heads back to the NPLW after her second season with Western Sydney, where she made six appearances. Keir makes the move from Bankstown City where she played last season, after leaving Macarthur Rams at the end of 2022.
Caley Tallon-Henniker - Football NSW Institute from Sydney FC
Teenager Caley Tallon-Henniker has had a busy few months. After signing as a train-on for the 2023-24 A-League Women season, Tallon-Henniker was signed on an injury contract in February to replace Fiona Worts. She debuted in the Sydney Derby, scoring her first ever A-League goal in stoppage time. The 18-year-old became an A-League Champion when the Sky Blues claimed the title over Melbourne City in a close decider. Tallon-Henniker is now set to head back to Football NSW Institute, where she made 25 appearances in 2023.
Jasmine Black - Football NSW Institute from Sydney FC
Young goalkeeper Jasmine Black is still yet to make her A-League debut, with the 17-year-old gaining experience training and backing up Jada Whyman on the bench. She mixed up her time last season between the first and reserve grade teams for FNSW Institute, with Sofia Fante taking over between the sticks so far this season.
Maddie Caspers - Bulls FC Academy from Sydney FC
Maddie Caspers has exceeded expectations since joining the Sky Blues just after the start of the 2023-24 season. She scored three goals in as many games, featuring in nine games total, and received the January nomination for the A-League Women’s Young Footballer of the Year award. Caspers will now move to Bulls FC Academy, signing on from Football NSW Institute.
Indi Breier - Macarthur Rams from Western Sydney Wanderers
Teenager Indi Breier made her A-League debut this season, making the Wanderers’ starting line-up for their opening 2-0 loss to Sydney FC in October. She then went on to feature in five further matches and with a year left on her contract, she’ll continue with the club for another season. Breier will be a welcome addition to the Rams for the rest of the season, after scoring nine goals over 30 games in 2023.
Melissa Caceres - Macarthur Rams from Western Sydney Wanderers
Experienced midfielder Melissa Caceres returns to the Rams following her second season with the Western Sydney Wanderers. She joined the Wanderers for the 2022-23 season, returning to the A-League for the first time since 2014 when she played for Sydney FC. She’s been a regular feature for the Rams since joining the team in 2022, winning two championships.
Bethany Gordon - Macarthur Rams from Western Sydney Wanderers
Beth Gordon is keen to get back on the pitch after an injury ended her A-League season in December. She started in all seven matches to start the season before her extended stint on the sidelines. She’s set to make a big impact for the Rams on her return after scoring nine goals in 20 matches during the 2023 NPL Women’s season.
Madison McComasky - Macarthur Rams from Western Sydney Wanderers
McComasky moved to the Wanderers for her second season in the A-League after playing for Canberra United in 2022-23. She started in 20 matches and scored her first ALW goal late in the season against Canberra United. The 23-year-old has been solid for the Rams since returning to Sydney in 2022 after attending college in the United States.
Sham Khamis - Macarthur Rams from Western Sydney Wanderers
Trusted goalkeeper Sham Khamis is set to once again lead the Rams backline in the NPL Women. She split goalkeeping duties at the Wanderers with American Kaylie Collins, who joined the team at the beginning of the season. Khamis’ sister and 2023 grand final hero Leena Khamis won’t be returning to Macarthur.
Kelli Brown - Macarthur Rams from Wellington Phoenix
New Zealand international Kelli Brown had a standout debut season in the NPL women last year, scoring an incredible 23 goals in 26 matches and coming second in the golden boot race to APIA Leichhardt’s Ashlie Crofts. Her performance earned her a recall to the Wellington Phoenix for the 2023-24 season, after missing out on a contract the season prior. Brown is set to be a top scorer once again as she joins a Rams side struggling for goals.
Darcey Malone - Macarthur Rams from Sydney FC
Darcey Malone has spent the majority of her return to Sydney FC on the sidelines, only getting a minute of action after signing on for the 2023-24 season from Melbourne City. Malone was a consistent starter for the Rams in 2023 and will be hoping for more game time on her return to the NPL.
Tegan Bertolissio - Macarthur Rams from Canberra United
Teenager Tegan Bertolissio has had a breakout 2023-24, making her A-League debut with Canberra United and joining the Young Matildas in Uzbekistan for the U20 Women’s Asian Cup. She started in 10 of her 15 matches for Canberra, recording two assists. She’s set for her second season with the Rams after moving from Football NSW Institute last season.
Maya Lobo - Macarthur Rams from Central Coast Mariners
Maya Lobo got some regular first grade action in 2023 with the Rams after moving from Football NSW Institute, where she played mostly in the reserves. She was picked up on a scholarship contract with the Mariners for their comeback season, making her debut off the bench against Wellington Phoenix in November. Though she’s only featured in one further match for the Mariners on their way to the finals, she’s gained crucial experience training alongside Matildas legend Kyah Simon and under super coach Emily Husband.
Alex McKenzie - Illawarra Stingrays from Canberra United
Canberra local Alex McKenzie earned an A-League call-up with her hometown club after a solid season with the Stingrays. She started in 11 matches for United, coming off the bench for a further six. She was a key component of the Stingrays’ backline last year and will be a key addition on her return.
Sasha Grove - Illawarra Stingrays from Canberra United
Despite being only 19-years-old, Sasha Grove has spent four seasons in the A-League with Canberra United. She was a more regular starter for United this past season, missing a few games on international duty. She was part of the Young Matildas’ U20 Asian Cup squad in Uzbekistan which took home a bronze medal. She’s set for her second season with the Stingrays after moving from NWS Spirit last year.
Danika Matos - Illawarra Stingrays from Western Sydney Wanderers
Experienced defender Danika Matos has finished off her fifth season with the Wanderers after originally signing on as a train on in 2019. Matos is a South Coast local and will be key for the Stingrays’ backline in 2024.
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Originally published as NPL Women NSW: The big-name A-League stars heading back to their hometown clubs
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