‘Doesn’t know how good she is’: Next Sam Kerr making a statement in A-League Women’s competition
Tiana Fuller is a humble 16-year-old juggling football and school, but what she has done in the women’s A-League this season has already drawn comparisons to a Matildas’ super star.
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From punching on with corner flags, to backflips and knee slides – footballers are known for their goal celebrations – but you won’t catch Tiana Fuller doing any of that no matter how impressive the goal she scores is.
The 16-year-old Central Coast Mariners striker is simply too humble and yet to come to the realisation that she is a special talent.
Her highlight reel from her breakout ALW season is impressive.
Australia's next goal scoring machine may have arrived already at age SIXTEEN (16).
— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 23, 2025
In her debut season for @CCMariners, Tiana Fuller has scored six times with just three starts to her name.
On Sunday, Fuller will play the biggest game of her career so far in the Elimination… pic.twitter.com/skC0C8dhes
From beating goalkeepers, darting through defenders, perfectly placing a loose ball into the net, bangers and deft crosses – there is little not to enjoy about Fuller’s game.
It is even more impressive when you consider she pulled off her six goals playing just 632 minutes across 19 games.
Now she is preparing for her first ALW final with Central Coast taking on Canberra United in the elimination final on Sunday afternoon.
While fans and opponents were taken by surprise by Fuller’s skills, her youth coaches Vic Guzman and Lisa Warrener were not.
The duo have coached Fuller at various stages of her short career through the NSW Institute of Sport football team and Junior Matildas.
Fuller was 13 the first time Guzman saw her play.
“She is one of those players that can make something happen out of nothing, she’s got an X-Factor and she just loves to score,” Guzman said.
“I remember watching her at 13 scoring left foot bangers and thinking, this kid has got something.”
Warrener had picked Fuller for the Institute’s reserve grade squad but she ended up playing first grade the whole season.
“She impressed in the pre-season and at training and the trial games and ended up being part of the first grade squad, that was just 15 months ago,” Warrener said.
“A lot has happened for her very quickly.”
Fuller went from the Institute team to signing with Central Coast Mariners as a scholarship player, then earning a full professional contract inside 18 months.
“She has very deceptive speed, is strong for her age, she just glides past players before they realise she has the ball, and she has technical ability as well,” Warrener said.
“She just catches you by surprise.”
Fuller has mostly come on off the bench for the Mariners this season – used as a game changer. Her insane knack for scoring goals has had many comparing the teen to Sam Kerr.
Like Fuller, Kerr got her start in the A-Leagues as a teen and captured everyone’s attention with her ability in front of the net.
But both coaches agree there is one big difference between Fuller and Kerr – and that is confidence.
Warrener, who saw Kerr play as a 15-year-old, said it was something Fuller would build on each season.
“Sam Kerr believed in herself at 15, she believed that she could beat everybody whereas Tiana doesn’t,” Warrener said.
“She doesn’t know how good she is.”
Guzman said this breakout season in the ALW would flick the switch for Fuller.
“She’s still growing up and developing and that takes time for someone who is as timid as she is,” Guzman said.
“She’s always been the same, the very quiet smiles, takes feedback on board. I think if she can continue to develop and trust herself then she has a big future ahead of her.”
While aggressive on the ball Fuller’s quiet nature is very visible when she scores a goal. There are no knee slides, backflips or looking to the crowd – she generally settles for a high-five or a celebratory hug with the nearest player while quickly hustling back to halfway for the restart.
Fuller, who is juggling her football commitments and Year 11, said building confidence had been a huge focus for her this season.
Being around the team at the Mariners has played a huge role in building that.
The 16-year-old super sub delivers AGAIN! 🔥
— Ninja A-League (@aleaguewomen) April 19, 2025
Tiana Fuller steps up for @CCMariners in the F3 Derby. What a talent 🙌🌟
📺 Watch #NEWvCCM live NOW on Paramount+ or 10 Play pic.twitter.com/IK4tLJZuPP
“They’ve backed me heaps this season and told me that if I stuff up they are there to defend and win the ball back,” Fuller said.
“It’s a team effort. I like attacking and playing with confidence, having them backing me up helps me get the best out of my game.”
While she sees the talk and comparisons between herself and Kerr, Fuller does her best to just ignore it all.
“It’s an eye opener for me, getting compared to some of the big names in football around Australia but I just like keeping my own head and not letting that get to me and just continue what I’m doing.”
And what she loves doing is scoring goals.
She has watched each of her six goals many times.
“My favourite goal was the one against Wellington, the long range shot,” Fuller said.
“I’ve practised that one a lot during training and by myself down at the park, so when I got into that situation in the game I backed myself and went for it.
“I love scoring goals, not just for myself but for the team, to know I’ve helped the team to score as well.
“I just have to have the confidence to back myself.”
The teen hopes she will get a chance to score a few more this season – first in Mariners elimination final against Canberra United on Sunday at 2pm (AEST).
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