Future Matildas: The next generation of NT soccer stars among top 20+ WPL players
The hype around the Matildas is shaking the nation as they step closer to clinching the ultimate prize in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. See the next generation of NT talent which could breakthrough to the top level.
Northern Territory
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The Northern Territory is stack full of emerging soccer talent with many players hinting at potentially breaking through to the top level one day.
It would add to the history of the Territory producing Matildas talent with Australian midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross coming from Alice Springs where she played as a 12-year-old for the Desert Storm.
Cooney-Cross’ dad was the coach of the team which helped lead her daughter to a fulfilling career where she is now creating headlines across the country through their run in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Fast track back to the current up-and-coming talent in the Territory and we are seeing a large amount of players creating an optimistic feeling about the future of football in the area.
The NT News, with the help of NT Football identity George Skoufezis and some coaches, has picked out some of the best and most talented players from the NT featuring a strong number of players from the Women’s Premier League.
And who knows, some of the younger players might one day become Matildas themselves.
Sophia Makrylos (Hellenic)
The Hellenic striker is an under-18 who has a great shot and pace. She has a good eye for goal and is able to find the right pass.
Makrylos was an NT under-14 representative in the National Youth Championship at Coffs Harbour last year.
As delicate on the pitch as she is deadly, Makrylos is potent in front of goal and a clinical finisher.
The youngster has 10 goals and four assists to her name this season and while she’s been shut down better than last year, she manages to bring plenty of value out of teammates.
Jazz Forwood (Hellenic)
The Hellenic striker has a good eye for the goal and is also able to play good passes to her teammates.
The captain is one of the deadliest players in WPL history and after a massive 2022 continues to show her value in the new campaign.
She has scored seven goals this season and has four assists.
Cassie McWilliam (Mindil)
The Mindil winger comes up to the Territory to play from interstate while balancing her football commitments down south.
McWilliam entered the season late but has already scored eight goals and can win matches almost on her own.
Also an Aussie Rules star having received a Rising Star nomination in the 2021-22 season.
Leesa Makrylos (Hellenic)
The Hellenic centre midfielder is a pit bull who will go all day with her tackling, creativity, chasing and running.
She was the Challenge Cup player of the tournament and has seven goals and four assists this season.
Rhiarna Myatt (Hellenic)
Myatt is a devastating presence when she has taken to the field this season with her speed, strength and technical ability.
The natural athlete who runs all day has scored five goals this season, proving she has that killer blow when called upon.
Lauren Riley (Mindil)
A new player to the Women’s Premier League in 2023 who has hit the ground running with five goals and five assists to her name.
Riley has adapted to the Top End conditions with ease and has proven her ability for the Mindil Aces all year.
Emma Ryan (Mindil)
A silky winger who has pace and will run all day. Ryan was player of the year in 2022.
She also represented the NT under-14’s in the National Youth Championship at Coffs Harbour last year.
She has scored twice and has four assists for the season and is likely to keep hitting her stride once she gets rid of her niggling injury issues.
Tayah Hartog (Hellenic)
A goalkeeper who is a gun, Hartog reads the game well and is a top-notch shot stopper with three clean sheets to her name this season.
Hartog is still under-18 and represented the NT under-14 side at the National Youth Championship in Coffs Harbour last year.
Her positioning and shot stopping ability has improved immensely and with her physical presence and kicking ability, Hartog is becoming one of the best keepers in the competition.
Yazmina Lipinski (Mindil)
After having been a Women’s Premier League Reserves regular for a number of years, Lipinski made the leap to WPL football in 2022 and tied for second place in the race for the golden glove.
This campaign she has been resolute in leadership, voice and defence. A vital part of the Mindil machine.
Moska Papadakis (Hellenic)
With one assist off her 2022 total tally for goals and assists, Papadakis has been one of the biggest improvers in the Women’s Premier League this season.
The way she has been able to read the game and position her attacking runs has paid dividends.
Jubilee Weo (Darwin Hearts)
A utility for Darwin Hearts with great skills and it comes as no surprise having been a consistent performer for a number of years now.
Weo’s pace and tenacity to fight for her team has really led to her being one of the more valuable players in the Top End scene.
Weo has six goals and three assists this season.
Cecilia Misob (Darwin Hearts)
A big improver from her 2022 season totals, already more than doubling her return in both categories Cecilia plays a huge leadership role for the Hearts.
Pushing forward from midfield, she joins the attack and helps her team in finding the back of the net.
Misob has four goals and two assists this season.
Kaitlyn Sowry (Casuarina)
The forward is quick and strong and has been absolute devastating every time she’s taken the field.
Extremely talented and technically gifted, Sowry’s performances have been able to shine through a very young and developing Rowdettes side.
Another under-18 who represented the NT under-14s at the National Youth Championship in Coffs Harbour last year.
She has three goals and assists this season.
Lauren Douglas (Casuarina)
The midfielder plays up front and is quick and strong and will run all day.
Douglas has three goals and an assist to her name this campaign following a 2022 campaign where she was an absolute ball magnet.
Having still been able to affect matches this year, it’s her leadership this year which has proved more valuable.
Khalyn Tran (Casuarina)
A silky player who has very good skills and is good on the ball.
One of the youngest players in the WPL and after spending some time away in NSW with Sydney Olympic Tran has been able to refine her trade.
The 2022 NT National Youth Championship representative is one of the most exciting young players to see.
Tran has scored once and had three assists this season.
Grace Doughty (Darwin Olympic)
Having made the move from Port Darwin to Darwin Olympic, Doughty is one of the
most consistent and high tempo players in the league.
She is a fierce competitor for the ball, a very quick customer and has the ability to thread
through a pass for her team.
Carli-Anne Tielen (Darwin Olympic)
She doesn’t often get the recognition she deserves but Tielen is one of the most experienced goalkeepers in the women’s game in the Top End.
Called into action almost every single game, she has the ability to pull off a defining save for her Darwin Olympic ladies.
Maria Billias (Hellenic)
A fullback who is strong, smart and calm, Billias, has a good throw in and will only get better as she develops into the game.
She was best on ground in her last game against Casuarina which came in the Breast Screen NT Awareness Cup.
Fate-Anna Tom (Hellenic)
A solid experienced midfielder who reads the game well, Tom has good strength and is deceivingly fast as well as being a vocal leader who can bring the best out of teammates.
Has a goal and assist to her name this season.
Teagan McWilliam (Mindil)
A centre back who loves a challenge and is strong on the ball, hardly anything gets past McWilliam.
She also chips in on the offence with an assist to her name this season.
Grace Amidy (Darwin Olympic)
The 13-year-old Darwin Olympic prodigy has had a massive rise in the 2023 season joining the women’s premier league for the first time.
Having already scored on arch rivals Hellenic the central midfielder is sure to impress in Darwin for years to come.
Mary Koum (Hellenic)
An under-18 sweeper who was best on ground in the Challenge Cup final and continues to pile on the solid performances.
Koum is a top defender who cleans up everything that comes her way.
Erin Gold (Darwin Olympic)
A midfielder who can also play further forward or back when she is required to.
Gold represented the NT under-14s at the National Youth Championship in Coffs Harbour last year.
Stefani Trikilis (Hellenic)
A defensive midfielder who is an absolute anchor in a Hellenic team stacked with talent.
She balances the team with her play ensuring nothing goes past her in defence.
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Originally published as Future Matildas: The next generation of NT soccer stars among top 20+ WPL players
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