The NPL Victoria coaches name the top 40 youngsters to watch this season

From Australia youth internationals to youngsters looking to make their mark – including a son of an AFL great – these are the top young guns in NPL Victoria.

The young players to watch in NPL Victoria.

From youth internationals to youngsters looking to make their mark.

These are the young guns to keep an eye on this NPL Victoria season.

When it comes to judging players who better to ask then the coaches themselves.

The 40 players below have been hand-picked by the 14 coaches.

Who makes the cut from your club?

JOK AKUIEN (Dandenong Thunder)

The 20-year-old defender is originally from South Australia but comes down to Dandenong from Western Sydney Wanderers Academy. The cousin of Socceroos forward Awer Mabil and will be looking to have a big impact on the flank at George Andrews Reserve.

TOM ALISANDRATOS (Port Melbourne)

Arrives from VPL2 club Pascoe Vale, where he won the club’s Golden Boot last season. The midfield-forward was previously part of Western United’s academy. Steps up to NPL with the Sharks looking to take that goalscoring form to the top-flight.

TIM ATHERINOS (Dandenong City)

A key member of City’s run to the elimination final last year, banging in seven goals in 24 appearance, including several Goal of the Week nominations. The Melbourne Victory Academy graduate would have been among the front-runners for NPL Young Player of the Year had it been awarded.

MAX BISETTO (Heidelberg United)

The talented 20-year-old striker burst onto the scene, scoring nine goals to help Moreland City win the VPL1 premiership in 2021, earning himself a move to Western United. Bagged 14 goals in 25 VPL1 appearances in 2023 and had eight goals in 19 matches last year before joining Oakleigh Cannons for the second half of the season. Disappointingly, was used sparingly off the bench and didn’t feature in the Cannons’ championship-winning squad. Looking for more game time at Heidelberg.

JOEL BRANDT (Melbourne Knights)

A youngster looking to make his mark in senior football. Showed his promise with three goals in 24 matches for the Knights’ under-23 last season and has been earmarked as one to watch this year.

LAURENCE CARUSO (Green Gully)

Made his A-League debut as a 17-year-old, coming on as a substitute after (now Heidelberg United keeper) Yaren Sozer was injured against Macarthur. Spent time in the Mariners and Western Sydney Wanderers’ academies. Moves down to Melbourne looking for senior experience.

ALEX CEPIVIROSKI (St Albans)

The youngster has been promoted to the Saints’ senior squad this season after catching the attention of coach Cam Watson. Between under-21 and under-23 duties last season he played 38 matches and scored eight goals.

JACOB CHINNAMA (Avondale)

The 20-year-old brother of Young Matildas defender Naomi, Jacob is, in contrast, an attacking midfielder who managed six games for the Avengers last season and scored two goals. Both goals came in a stunning 5-0 win over Hume City after only coming on as a 85th minute substitute.

MATTHEW DENCH (Oakleigh Cannons)

The Perth Glory junior signed a professional contract with English club Charlton Athletic at just 16. The 21-year-old defender has represented Australia at under-23 level, including an Asian Cup appearance. Arrives at Jack Edwards thanks to a chat with fellow Perth native and new Cannons teammate Joe Knowles

OLLIE DRAGICEVIC (St Albans)

The young midfielder returns to the Saints after graduating from the Melbourne City academy. Played three games for City in VPL1 before returning to Churchill Reserve for the second half of the season, playing a further five senior games. Will now be looking to take his game to a new level.

Adem Duratovic in action for Melbourne Victory.

FRASER DUNLOP (Melbourne Knights)

Still only 21 but established himself as a senior player last year at Port Melbourne. After 16 appearances in 2023, was in the Sharks squad in all but one game last season and scored four goals. Will look to take his game to a new level at the Knights.

ADEM DURATOVIC (Oakleigh Cannons)

The 21-year-old captained Melbourne Victory to the VPL1 premiership last season. Scored 14 goals, finishing third in the Golden Boot race. Showcased his leadership and creativity in the second tier but instead of sticking with Victory as it returns to the top-flight, will now look to cement himself at the reigning champions.

MOEY ELHAWLI (Altona Magic)

Came through the Magic junior pathway and is set to be a regular senior player in 2025. Broke into the senior set-up in 2022, while still playing under-21s but established himself last season, earning a place in the Altona squad in 22 games and scoring two goals – his first at NPL level.

JOAQUIN FERNANDEZ (Dandenong Thunder)

The 17-year-old goalkeeper has come through the Melbourne City Academy. The young shotstopper is now looking to take his first steps in senior football and has a chance to push for the No.1 spot at George Andrews Reserve after Pierce Clark’s departure.

JOSEPH FORDE (Hume City)

The former Australia under-20 international came through the Perth Glory pathway and made his A-League debut in 2021. Moved to Ireland last year after earning a contract at Premier League club Waterford. The 21-year old made four appearances but has moved back to Australia and landed up Hume City. A big addition to the club’s backline.

Joseph Forde takes on Nestory Irankunda.

ARBEN GEGAJ (St Albans)

Has earned promotion to the Saints’ senior squad this season. A St Albans junior since under-13s, he caught the eye in 25 matches for the club’s under-23 last season, scoring three times. One for the future at Churchill Reserve.

TOM GIANNAKOPOULOS (Dandenong City)

A breakout NPL campaign saw the 21-year-old play 25 games and score three goals last year. It saw him try his luck in Europe and couldn’t have signed a contract in Estonia but decided to return to Dandenong and hopefully help the club improve on last year’s finals finish.

ROY GREGORY (Oakleigh Cannons)

Got a taste of senior football with a couple of appearances in 2023 but took it to another level in 2024, earning a spot in the Cannons squad 15 times. The Oakleigh junior also played 16 under-23 matches and scored eight goals last season.

ALEX GUST (Altona Magic)

The young defender produced a brilliant breakout campaign in 2024. After just eight appearances for Melbourne Victory’s NPL squad in VPL1 in 2023, Gust played every game for Altona at NPL level, earning several Team of the Week nominations and mark himself as a contender for the NPL Rising Star, which sadly is no longer awarded.

ALEX HIRD (Melbourne Knights)

The son of AFL great James Hird. Alex, 20, played VFL for Essendon before chasing his passion for football. The defender-winger arrives at Somers Street from Western United, where he was in the squad for 10 games at VPL1 level and scored one goal.

Alex Hird in action for Western United.

Lucas Inglese in action for South Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Batsch

LUCAS INGLESE (South Melbourne)

Cemented himself in Hellas’ senior squad last season and provided one of the season’s memorable moments, scoring the deciding penalty to win the Dockerty Cup. The lanky midfielder will look to continue his development

FILIP JOVEVSKI (Altona Magic)

Having broken into the senior set-up at Altona in 2023, Jovevski was in the Magic squad 15 times in 2024 and will be looking to further establish himself as a regular in 2025. Scored two goals in 18 under-23 appearances last season.

TOM KARLOVIC (Melbourne Knights)

Won a under-21 premiership during his time in Melbourne Victory’s academy before returning to his junior club in 2023. winning side. The 20-year-old defender has slowly worked his way into the senior set-up and after being in the Knights squad 19 times last year will be looking for more game time in 2025.

ELIOAN KIFLE (Green Gully)

Was a regular in Gully’s senior squad last season, making 25 appearances. Caught the eye of new coach David Chick when he was in charge of Hume City and has been earmarked as a future talent for the club. Made his starting debut for the club in last year’s Dockerty Cup campaign and scored in the opening five minutes.

BIRKAN KIRDAR (Hume City)

Already a star of the competition but still only 22. Kirdar was a hot prospect at Melbourne Victory. Returned to NPL Victoria level with Dandenong Thunder last season and rediscovered his spark, scoring five goals in 25 appearances. Now makes his return to Hume City where he burst onto the scene as a youngster.

PETER KLAASSEN (Heidelberg United)

The 21-year-old striker arrives at Olympic Village from Queensland. Led NPL Queensland club Redlands’ scoring charts with nine goals in both 2023 and 2024 and will now look to establish himself at Heidelberg.

JOE McGLYNN (Green Gully)

The 22-year-old striker is one of the top international recruits ahead of the 2025 NPL season. The Scotland native arrives from Hamilton Academical and Kelty Hearts, where he scored six goals in 22 appearances between the two clubs. Came through former Premier League club Burnley’s youth system.

JAY McGOWAN (Heidelberg United)

Moves down to Melbourne after an impressive NPL NSW campaign with Sutherland Sharks last year. Scored one of the goals of the season, beautifully curling a long-range effort into the top corner from outside the box. The winger will have his work cut out breaking into the Warriors line-up but also looms as one for the future.

LUKE MENSIK (Oakleigh Cannons)

Came through the ranks at Melbourne Victory before joining Oakleigh last season. Got a taste of senior football with 16 appearances, mixing in with 21 under-23 matches, scoring seven goals. Will look to take another step up in 2025.

JAKE NOBLE (Dandenong City)

The youngster broke into the City squad late in the season and made the most of his opportunity. Came on late in the elimination final loss to Oakleigh Chargers, a terrific development experience for the full-back. Will be looking to build on that late-season momentum.

JOSH OKANE (Hume City)

After getting a taste of senior football in 2023, the 21-year-old became a key member of Hume’s squad last season as the club pushed deep into NPL finals, Dockerty Cup and Australia Cup campaigns. Was in the squad for all 28 matches, scoring one goal. Will look to further cement his place in 2025.

EMILE PEIOS (Preston Lions)

Still only 21, the midfielder looms as a star of the future. Spent time in Belgium before returning to Melbourne Victory. Played a big role in South Melbourne’s NPL Victoria and Dockerty Cup triumphs, playing almost every game in the league and scoring two goals. However, has swapped the blue and white for the red and gold as he looks to further cement himself as a senior player.

ETHAN PISANI (Avondale)

The young defender made 14 appearances as the Avengers dealt with injuries last season, marking himself as a young talent to watch at the club. Also played 13 games in the under-23s, scoring one goal. An imposing youngster at 193cm and still only 20.

JAY ROMANOVSKI (Dandenong Thunder)

The 18-year-old produced a breakout campaign for Thunder last year, playing 24 games and scoring two goals. Already a key member of Dandy’s squad, he’ll look to up his game and scoring output again in 2025.

ETHAN SARDELLIS (Heidelberg United)

Just 17 years old but definitely one to watch for the future. The midfielder broke into the strong United senior squad last season for two games, making his debut as a substitute against Manningham United. A full senior pre-season under his belt, he’ll look to continue his rise up the ranks.

GIORGIO SERDENES (Preston Lions)

Despite his youth, the Melbourne City Academy graduate proved a handy recruit in Preston’s promotion-winning season, featuring 16 times in the senior squad and scoring one goal. Coach Lou Acevski singled the forward out after having a big pre-season and was confident he would be a regular contributor.

ANDRE SKAPOULAS (South Melbourne)

Reunites with coach Esteban Quintas at South Melbourne after coming through the club’s junior ranks and playing under the Argentine. Started the season at Oakleigh Cannons before moving to State League 1 club Malvern City, under the tutelage of Socceroo Fausto De Amicis. Played seven games in the second half of the season and scored three goals, helping the club finish fifth.

NOAH SPASESKI (Preston Lions)

The talented 19-year-old midfield-forward returns to his junior club at Preston. Played a key role in Melbourne Victory’s promotion from VPL2 in 2023, scoring five goals, before switching academy allegiances to Western United. Scored one goal in 19 appearances in VPL1 last year.

GAVIN TASEVSKI (Altona Magic)

Spent much of the season in Altona’s under-23, playing 22 matches. But did get a taste of senior action with six appearances in the Magic squad last season. Has been earmarked as a talented youngster for the future and will be looking for more action in 2025.