
For the remaining weeks of the 2024/25 A-League seasons, we will continue to shine a spotlight on standout performances across the men’s and women’s competitions, featuring Victorian-born players and those who have made their mark in NPL Victoria.
From the Isuzu UTE A-League Men to the Ninja A-League Women, Victorians are making their presence felt in Australia’s top-flight football leagues.
Isuzu UTE A-League Men
Dylan Pierias (Adelaide United)
A Keilor Park and Pascoe Vale product, Pierias played 90 minutes in Adelaide’s 1-0 loss to Melbourne City on February 7. He contributed 1 tackle and 30 passes.
Tomislav Uskok (Macarthur FC)
Developed at Melbourne Knights, Uskok played 90 minutes in Macarthur’s 2-2 draw with Western United on February 9. He registered 1 tackle and completed 45 passes.
Aziz Behich (Melbourne City)
A Meadow Park, Green Gully product, Behich played the full 90 minutes in City’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on February 7. He recorded 1 tackle and 42 passes.
Ben Mazzeo (Melbourne City)
Mazzeo, a Box Hill United junior, played 90 minutes and had 2 shots on goal in City’s 1-0 loss to Adelaide United on February 7.
Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory)
A Glen Eira product, Velupillay played 75 minutes in Victory’s 3-0 loss to Newcastle Jets on February 8. He registered 2 shots in the match.
Anthony Pantazopoulos (Western Sydney Wanderers)
Pantazopoulos, who started his career at Brunswick City, played 90 minutes in a 3-3 draw against Sydney FC on January 8. He made 1 tackle, 1 foul, and 20 passes.
Dylan Leonard (Western United)
Leonard, a Port Melbourne Sharks product, played 90 minutes in Western United’s 2-2 draw with Macarthur FC on February 9. He completed 70 passes, 3 tackles, and committed 1 foul.
Ninja A-League Women
Maja Markovski (Canberra United)
A Bulleen Lions junior, Markovski played 90 minutes and registered 1 assist in Canberra’s 1-1 draw with Central Coast on February 8.
Naomi Chinnama (Perth Glory)
Born in Melbourne, Chinnama previously played for NTC, FV Emerging, and South Melbourne. She played 90 minutes in Perth’s 3-0 loss to Adelaide United on February 7, completing 3 tackles and 28 passes.
Tijan McKenna (Perth Glory)
Originally from Perth, McKenna represented South Melbourne (2022) and Heidelberg United (2022-2023). She played 75 minutes in Perth’s 3-0 loss to Adelaide United, making 5 tackles and 23 passes.
Kayla Morrison (Melbourne Victory)
Born in the US, Morrison, a former Bulleen Lions player, captained Melbourne Victory for 90 minutes in their 1-1 draw with Wellington on February 8. She made 2 tackles and completed 53 passes.
Laura Pickett (Melbourne Victory)
A Box Hill United junior, Pickett played 90 minutes and registered 2 chances created, 100% tackles won, and 13 defensive actions in Victory’s 1-1 draw with Wellington on February 8.
Julia Sardo (Western United)
Sardo, a Meadow Park and Essendon NPLW product, played the full 90 minutes and contributed 1 tackle and 31 passes in Western United’s 2-1 win over Sydney FC on February 9.
Beth Mason-Jones (Sydney FC)
A Essendon Royals keeper, Mason-Jones played 90 minutes and made a penalty save in Sydney FC’s 2-1 loss to Western United on February 9.