A-League Women: 20+ NSW/ACT teenage young guns set to star in new season
The new Ninja A-League Women season is weeks away and there’s never been more young talent scorching the turf. Check out 20+ teenagers set to light up the league this season.
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Australian football is currently overflowing with young, up and coming talent ready to make their mark.
The 2024-25 Ninja A-League Women season is just weeks away and clubs have utilised the off-season well, signing and recommitting new talent to bolster their stocks for the year to come and into the future.
As we prepare for the new season ahead, check out all the teenage talent across NSW and the ACT set to star this year.
Amber Luchtmeijer - Sydney FC
Fresh off the back of a golden-boot winning season in the NPL Women NSW with Bulls FC Academy, Amber Luchtmeijer is one of the most exciting talents set to debut in the A-League this season. The 17-year-old had an incredible year, with her efforts earning her a call-up to the Young Matildas for their U17 World Cup campaign. Sydney FC coach Ante Juric called Luchtmeijer “a star of the future” with “a lot of potential.”
Peta Trimis - Central Coast Mariners
A relatively unknown player before the start of the 2023-24 season, Trimis cemented herself as a future star, both for the Mariners and for the Matildas. Trimis was initially signed as a scholarship player but soon earned her first professional contract and a nomination for young footballer of the year. Her efforts for the Young Matildas in their U20 Asian Cup campaign earlier in the year also saw her nominated for player of the tournament. She recently signed a two-year extension with the Mariners and will be key for the relatively-young team as they look for back-to-back finals appearances.
Indiana Dos Santos - Sydney FC
Indiana Dos Santos is a two-time A-League Women’s champion and she hasn’t yet turned 17. She made 15 appearances in Sky Blue last season, recording three assists but not adding to her goal tally. Dos Santos spent some time in the NPL Women NSW in the off-season, signing with the Blacktown Spartans and making eight appearances in between Young Matildas duty. The younger Dos Santos sister will be alone at Sydney FC this season, with Jynaya Dos Santos released by the club to pursue other opportunities in the A-League.
Jynaya Dos Santos - Canberra United
Jynaya is set to break out on her own this season after signing with Canberra United from Sydney FC. The 19-year-old has been with Sydney for the past two seasons along with her sister, before moving to Blacktown Spartans in the NPL Women NSW for the remainder of their season. Dos Santos has moved to Canberra in the hopes of more game time and starting opportunities.
India Breier - Newcastle Jets
After making six appearances for Western Sydney in her first A-League season, Breier is off to the Newcastle Jets for 2024-25. The 18-year-old attacker inked a two-year deal at the Jets after another impressive, championship winning season in the NPL with Macarthur Rams. Breier will be hoping for more starting opportunities with the Jets and more consistent minutes this season.
Rubi Sullivan - Sydney FC
A rising star in the women’s game, Rubi Sullivan was already a main feature for NWS Spirit in the Women’s NPL at just 14 years old. Sullivan had no problem matching the pace and intensity of the senior game, amassing 21 appearances in the 2024 season. Her talent has earned her a scholarship deal with Sydney FC.
Lily-Rose Dunbar - Newcastle Jets
Lily Rose-Dunbar made her A-League debut at 17-years-old in the most chaotic of circumstances. After first-choice goalkeeper Izzy Nino was sent off, Rose-Dunbar was called into action in stoppage time against Melbourne Victory. Keep your eyes peeled for this star shot-stopper.
Emma Dundas - Newcastle Jets
After having impressed in her debut season with the Newcastle Jets, homegrown talent Emma Dundas has recently re-signed for an additional two seasons. The 17-year-old made her debut in the opening round of the season against F3 rivals Central Coast Mariners, Dundas accrued 22 appearances across the season, and is a regular feature among the Young Matildas.
Lara Gooch - Newcastle Jets
Another bright Newcastle Jets star, Lara Gooch is no stranger to high profile performances. The 19-year-old represented the Young Matildas at the U20 Women’s World Cup and scored the winning goal against the Korea Republic to claim bronze at the AFC U20s Asian Cup earlier this year.
Annalise Rasmussen - Central Coast Mariners
Rasmussen was one of the players to watch last season after signing with the Mariners as their inaugural player. The 19-year-old was the Mariners’ super sub, consistently making instant impacts off the bench and ultimately featuring in 21 games across the season. Rasmussen recently signed a two-year contract extension to keep her on the coast until the end of the 2025-26 season and has been honing her craft in the off-season in the club’s League One side.
Tahlia Franco - Sydney FC
Based off her trophy cabinet, you would not guess that Tahlia Franco is only 18 years old. In addition to being an U20s Asian Cup bronze medallist and U18s AFF champion, the 18-year-old also has two A-League premierships and two championships to her name. The goalkeeper will look to add to her legacy with Sydney FC.
Jasmine Black - Sydney FC
Jasmine Black joined Sydney FC’s Women’s A-League roster after impressing as a train on. Though yet to make her debut, the goalkeeper will be looking to establish herself in the senior space. She has been recognised in the national setup, earning call ups to both the Junior and Young Matildas.
Sienna Saveska - TBD
Saveska had a solid first season with Sydney FC after making the move from the Wanderers for the 2023-24 season. The Illawarra local made four appearances in Sky Blue and spent the off-season with the Illawarra Stingrays in the NPL. The 17-year-old confirmed she was released from Sydney FC to find more regular minutes elsewhere, but has not yet announced a new club.
Shay Hollman - Sydney FC
A fiery figure on the field for Sydney FC, Shay Hollman is back for her fourth season with Sydney. The 19-year-old made 21 appearances in 2023-24 and has become an integral part of the team’s midfield stocks. Hollman has also become a mainstay in the Matildas junior ranks.
Madeleine Caspers - Sydney FC
After signing with Sydney FC on a short-term deal in December 2023, it took just over a month for Maddie Caspers to secure a multi-year contract with the club. The 17-year-old went on to make nine A-League appearances throughout the remainder of the season, scoring three goals and earning a Young Footballer of the Year nomination. Caspers also earned a call-up to the Young Matildas squad, and went to Colombia for the U20 Women’s World Cup.
Talia Younis - Western Sydney Wanderers
At the age of 14, Talia Younis became the youngest debutant in the Women’s A-League breaking superstar Sam Kerr’s record. Despite her young age, Younis already has a developed a football philosophy. “I want to play quick, one or two touches, and dribble in tight spaces,” she said. This maturity earned her a call up to the U17s Matildas.
Mary Stanic-Floody - Canberra United
Mary Stanic-Floody is a Young Matilda, and at 18, already has a A-League Women title under her belt with Sydney FC. She moved to Canberra United for the 2023-24 campaign and contributed greatly with her box-to-box talent and immense energy, scoring two goals in 16 appearances.
Tegan Bertolissio - Canberra United
Tegan Bertolissio is no stranger to winning silverware She was a major component in Macarthur Rams’ premiership win in the 2023 NPL NSW season and was also part of the Young Matildas side that won bronze in the 2024 U20 Women’s Asian Cup. Bertolissio is a versatile player, suiting multiple roles in defence. The 18-year-old joined Canberra at the beginning of the 2023-24 season and has committed for at least another year.
Georgia Ritchie - Canberra United
Just off the back of the Asian Cup qualifiers with the U17s Matildas, Georgia Ritchie is a promising shot-stopper who last season was promoted from Canberra United’s academy to their main roster. The 16-year-old had already been making waves at the junior level, winning Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2022 National Youth Championships.
Ella Abdul-Massih - Perth Glory
Having spent the last three season with the Western Sydney Wanderers and racking up 21 Ninja A-League appearances, Ella Abdul-Massih looks for a fresh start as she moves across the nation to join Perth Glory for the 2024-25 campaign. The midfielder featured with the CommBank Junior Matildas side that won the AFF U18 Women’s Championship.
Avaani Prakash - Western United
The 2024 campaign has been a fruitful one for Western United’s Avaani Prakash, who just a year after signing her first professional contract, has been called up to the Young Matildas squad for the U20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia. She is the youngest scorer in United’s history, capping off a successful season in which she appeared 14 times.
Alexia Apostolakis - Melbourne City FC
One of Australia’s brightest young talents, Alexia Apostolakis has already made 42 appearances in the A-League. A player mature beyond her years, Apostolakis has represented Australia at both the U20 Women’s World in 2022 and the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2024. The experienced defender has signed a two-year deal with Melbourne city FC.
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