NT beat Victorian and NSW outfits at Emerging Socceroos Championships

The NT secured its best finish at the Emerging Socceroos Championships last week with several players stepping up in the premier national talent development program. Check out how they performed.

Nathaniel Chambers

3 min read

July 15, 2025 - 6:15PM

News Sport Network

Northern Territory

Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.

The NT secured its best ever finish at the Emerging Socceroos Championships last week with several players stepping up in the premier national talent development program.

There were 16 teams in each of the U15 and U16 age groups representing other states and territories, the Charlie Perkins Indigenous XI and a Malaysian side.

The under-16s side, which comprised of the same nucleus as last year’s 16th place getters, returned with a point to prove and they did, finishing 10th, the best result for an NT team.

They were placed in a tough group with Victoria Silver, Western Australia and NSW Sky, the latter two going on to play in the Championship Final.

The NT impressed early against NSW and even had an impressive goal for Broc Griffiths off the back of a great midfield run from Harry Dixon, but the opposition had too much fire power winning 6-1.

The NT under-16s have achieved the best result for a Territory side placing 10th at the Emerging Socceroos Championships. Picture: Mark Avellino

The second pool match against WA was an arm wrestle where the NT was suffocated at important moments and fell 4-0.

They were better for the experience and against the Victorian team took the occasion on with Monte Bridge marshalling the defence.

Captain Matthew Davies, who dribbled past two defenders to score from outside the box, and Braith Stannard, tapping in from close, were the scorers in the 2-0 victory.

Though they missed out on the quarters the NT next took on NSW Country continuing their momentum with 3-1 win off the back of their link up play.

Taylor Thai opened the scoring on the edge of the penalty area and driving home with shot that cannoned in off the underside of the cross bar.

The NT under-16s have achieved the best result for a Territory side placing 10th at the Emerging Socceroos Championships. Picture: Mark Avellino

Jase Dowson tormented the NSW Country defence all game and Griffiths came on in the second half, scoring a brace, linking up with the quality delivery of Alice Spring’s own Atticus Angelo.

Another 2-0 win followed against the Charles Perkins XI with Smart Theophile heading home a Dixon corner, while Thai sealed the game in stoppage time racing 60m downfield to score.

That set up a placement final against Victoria White, which was packed full of A-League academy players and quickly made that known.

The NT never said die with Isaya Hussein winning a hard challenge before dribbling 60m to fire off a score, but Victoria showed their talent and discipline to win 3-1.

The result placed the NT in 10th overall for the tournament, the best ever result for a Territory side, while the under-15s finished 16th.

NT Technical Director John Tambouras has been involved with the championships for the past 15 years and continues to see progress in the NT group.

“The physicality and technical skill is a step up, and every year we continue to close the gap to the other states,” he said.

“The improvement in the players to rise to the level over the last 12 months and at this tournament has been remarkable.

The NT under-16s have achieved the best result for a Territory side placing 10th at the Emerging Socceroos Championships. Picture: Mark Avellino

“It shows that youth development in Darwin, Alice Springs and beyond is on the right path.

“I am really excited about what lays ahead for this group of players and those who will follow in their footsteps and continue to raise the standard in years to come.”

Football chief executive Jamie Monteith said it was a full credit to the clubs across the NT that support and upskill the talent to reach new heights.

“We need to further support those clubs and align their development programs with Football NT’s, and in turn Football Australia’s,” he said.

“That will ensure every young Territory boy and girl gets the same opportunities as those in the southern states to compete at the highest level.”

The Emerging Matildas Championships begun this week with the Territory fielding a side in the U15 girls in Sydney with games to be broadcast on News Corp’s KommunityTV.

Emerging Socceroos – Under-16s

1.Monte Bridge

2.Matthew Davies

3.Isaya Hussein

4.Haralambos Maillis

5.Chevayo Roe

6.Taylor Thai

7.Atticus Angelo

8.Ryder Maansson

9.Harry Dixon

10.Jase Dowson

11.Smart Theophile