Champion of Champions: 35+ young guns set to star in Football NSW semi finals
The best clubs from across NSW are in the midst of a battle for ultimate glory at the 2024 Champion of Champions. Check out 35+ players to watch ahead of the semi finals.
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The best of the best association clubs from across NSW are in the midst of a battle for ultimate glory at the 2024 Champion of Champions.
Teams that have pushed themselves to be at the top of their game all season are now pitted against clubs from across the state for the coveted title.
As teams prepare for their semi final clashes from October 12, we’ve compiled a list of the players to watch who have made a real difference this season, players who have put in the extra effort to support their team and those who have really improved throughout the year.
Macauley D’Arth - East Gosford FC U13 boys
Captain/midfield
Macca is the captain of the team this year and has led with his actions and on field ability. He plays right mid and is known for his amazing swinging cross that lands perfectly every time. He is a set-piece maestro which has proved difficult for most defensive teams. He is always one of the first to training each week and his work ethic is to be praised.
Centre-mid
Jami dominates the control of play with his impressive foot work and powerful right boot. His ability to find the through ball is finesse. Jami is a key player on corner set pieces and his height is central to the team’s strike rate for possession in the box.
Left mid
Lachie is a left mid who has speed to burn. He has had an incredible rise over the past two years, with his improvement in his skills on the park impressing his coaches. He has an imposing ability to go around players and hook the ball into the box with his left boot.
Lily Clarke - Shellharbour JFC U13 girls
Centre mid
Lily is all about teamwork and uses her resilience and communication to boost herself and the team to the best they can be. Those attributes make her a good player and teammate both on and off the pitch.
Millie Harvey - Shellharbour JFC U13 girls
Millie is a player always looking to do her best and improve her skills, and credits her coaches for getting the best out of her and her team. She brings plenty of determination to her team to make sure they are always focusing and playing their best.
Eden Casey - Shellharbour JFC U13 girls
Left wing
As captain of the team, Eden has the responsibility of making critical decisions during tough games. She is a left footer and has the speed to make good runs towards goal, but can also rush back into defence when needed.
Noah Brunec - Wodonga Diamonds FC U13 boys
Noah was awarded the Wodonga Diamonds Best and Fairest at our presentation night this year. Noah’s speed and power are a highlight of his game and makes him a player to watch now and into the future.
Ash O’Connor - Wodonga Diamonds FC U13 boys
Goalkeeper
Ash is an inspiring goal keeper and his efforts during the season saw him awarded the Wodonga Diamonds Goalkeeper of the Year. Ash is a real talent and continuously astounds the opposition with some of his cracking saves!
Levi Walsh - Wodonga Diamonds FC U13 boys
You try and tell this boy to stop, he simply doesn’t understand the word. He’s a technically brilliant touch of the ball and with speed to burn, he’s a powerful addition to the Diamonds’ attack line.
Charlotte Punter - Chipping Norton FC U14 girls
Centre back
Charlotte is an impressive centre back who took home the club’s Ladies Player of the Year honours for 2024. She brings stability and confidence to the team and is the first to chase down any opponent that breaks through the back line.
Amani Shalak - Chipping Norton FC U14 girls
Goalkeeper
Amani is an incredible shot stopper and her efforts throughout the season earned her a second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year award. She is known for always yelling support, encouragement and instructions during the game and is always pushing herself and her team to be the best they can be and never give up. Despite being 13-years-old, Amani earned a call-up to the U14 team.
Mariah Saliba - Chipping Norton FC U14 girls
Midfielder
A true up and coming star, Mariah is a 12-year-old stepping up to the challenge of the U14 age group in a very talented team. She is a complete footballer in the midfield and has a real passion for the game. She has been a great addition to the U14 team and has a very bright future ahead of her.
Mohammed Ibrahim - Greenacre Eagles FC U14 boys
Striker
Moey Ibrahim is a force to be reckoned with on the pitch. His blend of strength and speed makes him a constant threat to opposing defences. Whether with his powerful left foot, accurate right foot, or impressive heading ability, Moey consistently finds the back of the net. His knack for scoring vital goals has made him an invaluable asset to the team, driving their offensive efforts and inspiring teammates with his relentless pursuit of victory.
Ali AbouKanj - Greenacre Eagles FC U14 boys
Central attacking midfielder
Ali Abu Kanj is the creative heartbeat of the team, known for his exceptional dribbling skills and remarkable vision. With an innate ability to read the game, he crafts opportunities for his teammates and regularly contributes to the scoreboard himself. His precision passes and flair for the spectacular elevate the team’s attacking play, making him a key player who consistently turns matches in their favour.
Ali Hussein - Greenacre Eagles FC U14 boys
Captain/centre-back
As the captain and central defender, Ali embodies leadership and determination. His unwavering commitment to the team is evident in every match, as he motivates his teammates with constant communication and tactical guidance. Ali’s resilience and fierce dedication not only bolster the team’s defensive line but also inspire a fighting spirit that drives the squad to perform at their best, no matter the circumstances.
Harrison McGuirk - Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC U15 boys
Left back
Harry is a leader on and off the field and puts in 100% on every play. He is fast, strong and physical and a threat in defence and attack and the boys love seeing him take down an opposition player with a crunching tackle or flying past opponents with the ball at his feet, the highlight of which was his winning goal in the MWFA Grand Final.
Lukas Banham - Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC U15 boys
Goalkeeper
Lukas joined the team this season and has taken the team to the next level with his goalkeeping. He’s had an incredible 14 clean sheets in 24 games and only conceded one goal in nine games. Aside from that, his efforts won the team games in the State Cup and Champion Of Champions tournaments with some incredible saves in penalty shootouts.
Brody Cronan - Collaroy Cromer Strikers FC U15 boys
Centre back/centre mid
Brody is a player that can be relied on to play any position asked and do it as though he plays there permanently. He has great touch, cleans up a lot in defence and goes flat out the whole time he’s on the pitch. He has been part of the club since U6 and is a player a coach always wants in their team.
Brayden Gerahty - Kellyville Kolts SC U15 boys
Defender
Brayden has had a complete change of pace this season, switching from a striker to a defender. He has been a stalwart for the Kolts in defence with his relentless attitude to win the ball and his determination to prevent any opposition chances at goal.
Tom Smart and Arkady Popov - Kellyville Kolts SC U15 boys
Midfield
Tom and Arkady have been integral parts of the team’s attack this season, controlling the midfield and shifting the ball quickly in transition. Their efforts have resulted in over 50 goals for the Kolts this season.
Olivia Kapodistrias & Lilly Kapodistrias - Concord JSC U16 girls
Striker
Twins Olivia and Lilly bring an impressive dynamic to the team. They are both attackers and have an uncanny ability to connect on the field. Their twin magic consistently produces impressive goals, making them a formidable duo in every match.
Charlotte Butler - Concord JSC U16 girls
Striker
Charlotte has been hugely impressive this year, producing consistent goals and thriving in key matches. She has great vision for the ball and aerial ability which pose constant threats to opposition defenders.
Veronika Parisi - Concord JSC U16 girls
Central midfield
Veronika commands the midfield with precision and flair, delivering key passes and striking from distance. Her relentless stamina fuels her passion, making her a dynamic force that inspires the entire team.
Clara Sanfilippo - Concord JSC U16 girls
Central defender
Clara is the team’s fast and fearless leader and is a true destroyer on the field, ensuring no attacker slips past her. Her speed and toughness are unmatched and she keeps the team’s defence rock solid in every match.
Emmanuel Loizou - Banksia Tigers FC U16 boys
Centre attacking midfield
Emmanuel is a dynamic attacking midfielder whose creativity creates chances at goal for the forward line. He has been an integral part of the team’s link up play in attack which will be invaluable come semi final time.
Hussein Bazzi - Banksia Tigers FC U16 boys
Centre defensive midfield
Hussein is a calm and composed midfielder that likes to keep possession of the ball and control the game. He is the link between defence and attack. Hussein’s football IQ is what separates him from his peers and is a player to watch out for.
Ali Faqih - Banksia Tigers FC U16 boys
Winger
Ali is a strong winger that has an eye for goal. He has been a dominant attacker for the team this season, having scored over 30 goals throughout the year.
Jacob Tucker - Shellharbour JFC U16 boys
Attacking midfield
One of Jacob’s biggest assets is his left foot along with his technical ability and skills. He brings creativity and a positive attitude to the team and constantly strives to be the best he can be, training both with the team and personal individual sessions.
Kylan Shepherd - Shellharbour JFC U16 boys
Centre back
Kylan brings a positive attitude, good ball control, and accurate passing which helps the team dominate possession and create more opportunities for the midfield to lead the game. Kylan leads the backline as the last line of protection to stop the opposition from scoring.
Mattias Banovic - Shellharbour JFC U16 boys
Attacking midfielder
Mattias credits his coaches Daniel and Zek for making him the player he is today, as well as learning from his dad’s teachings since he was little. He does extra technical and fitness training on the side with an aim to always work as hard as he can.
Shay Saunders - Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders U17 boys
Captain/midfielder
As captain, Shay leads with strength and his tenacity sets a high standard for the team. He believes their success comes from playing with mates and being supported by coaches who are more than just coaches—they’re mentors on and off the pitch.
Riley Tomlinson - Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders U17 boys
Striker
Riley’s determination and stamina make him a relentless striker, always pushing to break down the defence. He said, “I love the thrill of the game, the rush when you score or win beats every other feeling,” and his hard work this season shows it.
Sam Tillotson - Belrose Terrey Hills Raiders U17 boys
Defender
A committed and composed defender, Sam consistently outpaces opponents, making him invaluable to the team. Having been with the club for 12 years, Sam said his love for the game and the camaraderie of the team drive him to give everything on the field.
Troy Pante - Liverpool Olympic FC U18 men
Goalkeeper
Troy is the captain of the team and is a former player for Mounties Wanderers, Bankstown Berries and Good Samaritan Catholic College. He is calm, steady and has great athletic ability. He hadn’t conceded a goal throughout the finals series and has recorded a clean sheet in the past two Champion of Champions clashes. His leadership and ability will be a defining factor in extra time or penalty shootouts.
Markus Skoljarev - Liverpool Olympic FC U18 men
Markus is a former Macarthur Rams and conference winning Good Samaritan Catholic College. He is a robust number 6 and anchors the team. He will be the biggest hindrance to the opposition on defence as he distributes the ball well and is a big game player.
Hugo Gentile - Liverpool Olympic FC U18 men
Hugo is formerly from Bankstown Berries and Conference finalist Clancy Catholic college and is a goal scoring sensation. His unorthodox style is hard to defend and he is always hungry to score goals. He scored the winner against Shellharbour in the quarterfinals.
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