Former Mindil Aces junior turned A-League pro Lachlan Bayliss to return to Darwin for Australia Cup blockbuster
A former Darwin football player has spoken highly of his local team saying it was ‘such a great club to join’ ahead of his return to the Top End to play professionally for a top-tier A-League outfit.
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Newcastle Jets attacking midfielder Lachlan Bayliss is feeling “really excited” about the opportunity to head back to Darwin where his football journey all began.
The 20-year-old will aim to get his first taste in Jets colours when he travels to the Top End for the Australia Cup knockout clash against Melbourne Victory on Monday night at the Darwin Football Stadium.
Bayliss began his football journey at the Mindil Aces when he moved to Darwin for “dad’s work” as a six-year-old.
He played juniors at the Darwin soccer club for six years before moving to the Central Coast.
“It definitely sparked my love for football,” Bayliss said about Darwin football.
“It was really good going down to Bagot Oval, we would go down there and have a kick around as a young kid and I just absolutely loved it.
“And Mindil was such a great club to join at a young age.
“And then I moved into the NTC program and it was a great little set up for not having a lot of kids in the NT.
“I think we might’ve had 20 kids trialling for the team so it was pretty bare but we did pretty well for the limited numbers we had.
“I think it definitely helped me as a player.”
When Bayliss left Darwin to move to the Central Coast as a 12 year old, he remained on the move as he joined the Jets academy 65 km away after being scouted “luckily” by the club through the NTC program and nationals.
Bayliss accepted the offer to join the Jets which meant he would travel hundreds of kilometres per week to get training in Newcastle three or four times a week.
The commitment lasted four years before he joined the Mariners academy closer to home as a 16-year-old.
After winning the player of the year award in their youth team and golden boot last season, he was awarded with his first professional contract with the A-League club in January.
“I played there up (at the Mariners) until three weeks ago and I have signed back with the Jets so I feel like it is a real full circle moment,” he said.
“I’m now going to be playing in Darwin with the club that offered me a spot back all those years ago so it is good.”
The new Jets player said he had a “really good time” at the Mariners and said having the likes of Jason Cummins and Garang Kuol was “really good players” to be around.
Bayliss recalled playing Under-20s with the now Socceroo sensation Kuol and said the success of the rising star “100 per cent” gave him confidence that he wasn’t far away from taking the next steps in his career.
“I know I have got the self belief and I think I’m good enough to play in the A-League,” he said.
“Playing with all these young boys especially through the Mariners who have progressed through the system and are now showing their stuff in the A-League, I think I can follow in their footsteps and do the same.”
Bayliss was a part of the Mariners premiership feat last season in the A-league.
Asked about what memories would come to mind when he steps onto the football pitch at Marrara, Bayliss said it would bring back memories of the NTC program.
“Playing with the NTC program back then, I just remember scoring a lot of goals and I just remember enjoying my football up there,” he said.
“I think it will be special if I can get on the field back there.”
He was just not sure if locals would recognise him.
“I hope I see a few familiar faces back up there supporting me,” he said.
“I’m sure many won’t recognise me because obviously I was a young boy when I left,” he laughed.
A-league clubs to play two exciting Australia Cup matches in Darwin
Territory football fans are in for a treat with four of the country’s leading clubs heading north to compete in the Australia Cup playoffs.
And there’s plenty of opportunities for fans to get involved and meet some of the sport’s big guns in the lead up to the matches on Monday and Tuesday.
The fun kicks off on Friday with a Matildas viewing party on Friday from 7pm with fans getting the chance to watch the Australian women take on France live on the big screen.
The Australia Cup Trophy will go on tour of the Darwin region with fans able to see it throughout the day on Saturday.
It will be at the Darwin Sailing Club (9-9.30am), Darwin Waterfront (10-10am), Gateway Shopping Centre (11-11.30am) and Leanyer Water Park (12-12.30pm).
There will be a community football session on Sunday which will include games for children of all ages as well as a Melbourne Victory signing session from 8.30am at the Darwin Football Stadium.
Fans will get to meet Newcastle Jets players later in the day from 4.30pm while an open training session will take place with Macarthur FC and Perth Glory from 9am on Monday.
A range of development and school workshops will also take place over the weekend.
The Jets will then take on Victory at 7pm, Monday, while defending Australia Cup champions Macarthur will face Glory on Tuesday from 7pm.
Major Events Minister Paul Kirby said having elite sport in Darwin was a great opportunity for aspiring sportspeople.
“Not only will Territorians get to see Australia’s best players in action on the pitch, they will also be able to see the Australia Cup Trophy, meet some of the players at the signing sessions, and watch them be put through their paces at training,” Mr Kirby said.
“Opportunities like this are invaluable for up-and-coming players, and for encouraging new people to get involved in the game.
“And of course, we will all be able to cheer on the Matildas thanks to the big screen viewing.”
Football NT chief executive Bruce Stalder said he was thankful to Football Australia and the NT Government for bringing the game to the Top End.
“I know the city will get right behind these two exciting encounters and demonstrate that the Northern Territory should host more national and international football events,” he said.
Ticket prices for the two matches start at $40 for a family, $15 for adults and $10 for students, concession card holders and senior card holders.
Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketebo.com.au/football-australia/australia-cup-2023-playoffs
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