Best men’s and women’s players from the 2023 Darwin Football season

The NT News, with the help of clubs from across the competition, has put together a list of the best players from the men’s and women’s premier league and reserves competitions.

Women’s Premier League

MINDIL ACES

Lauren Riley: Dominates in the number 10 position. Riley is strong-bodied and skilled at holding on to the ball, and becomes a real threat with her ability to shoot from range. Is a great mentor for younger players at the club.

Emma Ryan: The 16-year-old speedster usually plays in a wide attacking role. Is as quick as anyone in the league and continues to refine her skill set. Will be one to watch for years to come.

Cassie McWilliam: The wide attacking left footer has made a name for herself both in football and in the NTFL. Was the competition’s third top scorer despite having only played six games.

CASUARINA FC

Khalyn Tran: At only 15-years-old, Tran is known for a being a ‘pocket rocket’ for her side. Her work rate is likened to having an extra player on the pitch as she works across the field whether defending, pressing or advancing the ball forward. She was named the WPL best and fairest for 2023.

Kaitlyn Sowry: Sowry boasts technical brilliance, physical prowess and ball winning ability. She is extremely versatile and is able to impact games from any position on the pitch. A key player and leader for the Rowdies.

Lauren James: James is known for her speed, ability to get past players, and vision. Her close control and agility make her one of the league’s best dribblers and netted five golas in eight games as a central midfielder.

HELLENIC ATHLETIC FC

Mary Koum: At 17, Koum is the youngest player in the team which won the league, challenge cup and grand final. She has cemented her spot as the side’s best defender, able to catch any attacker in the competition.

Sophia Makrylos: The Hellenic striker is an under-18 who has a great shot and pace. She has a good eye for goal and is able to find the right pass. Makrylos was an NT under-14 representative in the National Youth Championship at Coffs Harbour last year. As delicate on the pitch as she is deadly, Makrylos is potent in front of goal and a clinical finisher.

Leesa Makrylos: The Hellenic centre midfielder is a pitbull who will go all day with her tackling, creativity, chasing and running. She was the Challenge Cup player of the tournament and has seven goals and four assists this season.

THE VETERAN SISTERS - Maria Billias (27) (kids are 10months and two years old) and Georgia Hajdic (30) (kids are five, two and one) after missing most of last year after having babies. The Mums/Sisters made a comeback this year playing big roles in the team.

DARWIN OLYMPIC

Grace Doughty: Having made the move from Port Darwin to Darwin Olympic, Doughty is one of the most consistent and high tempo players in the league. She is a fierce competitor for the ball, a very quick customer and has the ability to thread through a pass for her team.

Pierre Koulakis: Starting out as a Darwin Olympic Junior, Pierre this season led the Women’s Premier League and did so with flying colours. Scoring both four goals and four assists across the season and playing a key role in keeping the midfield together.

DARWIN HEARTS

Jubilee Weo: A utility for Darwin Hearts with great skills and it comes as no surprise having been a consistent performer for a number of years now. Weo’s pace and tenacity to fight for her team has really led to her being one of the more valuable players in the Top End scene.

Cecilia Misob: A big improver from her 2022 season totals, already more than doubling her return in both categories Cecilia plays a huge leadership role for the Hearts. Pushing forward from midfield, she joins the attack and helps her team in finding the back of the net.

Women’s Premier League Reserves

MINDIL ACES

Xavier Dolbel: A hard-working and versatile 15-year-old. Dolbel can play anywhere whether in defence or as an attacking midfielder, and she enjoys scoring goals when she has the chance.

Chloe Ryan: Ryan, 13, is an excellent team player and quiet achiever. She mostly plays in defence, but is also a capable midfielder who is calm under pressure and a great decision maker.

Greta Wood: Another hard-working up and comer in the Mindil setup who is full of attacking intent. The 14-year-old was the leading goal scorer in the reserves competition and is an excellant team player.

CASUARINA FC

Melissa Morgado: Morgado is the team’s ‘rock’ in the backline due to her electric pace and ability to read the game. The centreback has been a staple in her team for years with her speed and consistent tackles.

Serena Rodrigues: Rodrigues demonstrates technical and tactical ability with every chance she gets for her Rowdies side. Known for her ball control, vision and defensive workrate the centre midfielder has been at the club since her junior years.

Jessie Newcombe: Newcombe is known for her strength and determination on the pitch and has netted seven goals from 10 matches in 2023. She is a versatile player who is able to create, attack, defend and link play from any part of the pitch.

GARDUA FC

This year saw the revival of the Gardua women’s premier league reserves team.

Steph Carr: The hardworking midfielder capped off an amazing first season by winning the club’s MVP. Carr is the ultimate utility who is known around her squad as someone who is fearless, strong and never backs down from a challenge.

Nika Winarko: The club captain is the rock at the heart of her team’s defence. She’s a strong player who uses her body well and is able to win most one on one contests. Winarko also possesses as massive and accurate kick and leads from the front with her fighting spirit.

PORT DARWIN FC

Chloe Gage-Pearson: Gage-Pearson captained her side to the top of the ladder, and with her ability to play in goal, defence and midfield has proven her versatility. A fantastic leader on and off the field. Rumour has it she will be switching sports in the off-season to power lifting.

Brooke Frazer: Frazer has transitioned from a full back into a goal-scoring machine hitting double figues in 2023. She took on more of a leadership role this season and helped develop some of Port’s newest players.

Tianna Vickery: Vickery is a new player in 2023. She made the jump from central defence to the midfield where her non-stop running, ball control and determination quickly made her a team favourite.

HELLENIC ATHLETIC FC

Christina Kontzionis: A dynamic midfielder who defends, attacks, controls the tempo and scores goals like the best of them. Regularly gets the call up to the premier league side on the back of her performances.

Brianna Low: A defender by day and an attacker by night. Low chases down opposition attacks and then turns on the counter. And sometimes she even finds herself on the end of a play to score a goal.

Men’s Premier League

MINDIL ACES FC

Clifford Maina: A new recruit to the Aces this season, Maina controls the possession and tempo of the match from midfield. His range of passing and leadership has been invaluable on the field.

Jacob Meehan Lee: Fast, strong and fearless as part of a Mindil defence that conceded the second least this year. Meehan Lee is a physical presence should lead the Aces’ defence for many seasons to come.

Uche Okwara: Okwara is one of the best 9s in the Territory, having scored 19 goals in 20 appearances, including two in the grand final. More than just goals, his hold up play and working in defendeing from the front is crucial to Mindil’s style of football.

HELLENIC ATHLETIC FC

Matthew McNab: The striker booted 24 goals and 20 assists to helps his side secure the 2023 treble - premiers, champions and Australian Cup winners. He was an undeniable threat in front of goal all season, and when he wasn’t the scorer he usually played a key role setting up the goal.

Simon Bell: Another who starred in the forwards with 25 goals to his name. Combined with McNab, for a terrific combined 49 goals, only surpassed by one other team, Mindil Aces. Constantly puts in the effort plays and was rewarded with a hat trick in the grand final.

Kane McAdam: Often known as one of the safest pair of hands in Darwin, he didn’t disappoint throughout the 2023 season. A rock in front of goal who is complimented by his consistent backline.

PORT DARWIN FC

Matias Choque: Became Port’s top scorer with 11 goals. His work rate was second to none and his attitude was spot on each and every game. Played a number of different positions to help his team to victory.

Alejandro Diaz: Perhaps the biggest runner for Port, never giving up when the ball was in play and regularly running what seemed like 11km every game. Diaz is very strong on the ball and played a few different positions to help his team.

Jacob Gittens: The Port Darwin junior has cemented his place in the prem team for the past few years. He puts in 100 per cent every game is a great squad man. Scores the odd goal from defensive counter attacks.

DARWIN OLYMPIC

Mitchell Amidy: Another stellar season for the Olympic spearhead who scored 14 times and was able to assist his teammates a few times throughout the season too. His link up play in Season 2023 was exceptional, allowing the wingers to be involved and adding dynamism to the Reds attack.

Samuel Kwana: Kwana began his playing career as a Darwin Olympic junior and is now the red and whites premier league captain. Elevating his status this season to elite in the local competition, he is a backbone to the Reds defence in the way he reads the game and his distribution from the back.

AZZURRI FC

Safari Mukudju: Mukudju has the ability to intimidate defenders with his speed, grit and toughness on the ball. He can shoot when needed, but his ability to assist has proven just as valuable, particularly in the 2023 campaign.

Humbleman Mbukana: Mbukana is an explosive player out wide with his speed and intensity. A real hand full for defenders who’s ability to get around the back and deliver the ball into box for a tap in is up there with the best in the competition. Excels at both linkup and individual play.

Samson Mushimango: An abolute workhorse in the Azzuri side. Samson has excelled in his role as midfielder taking a dominant position in the centre of the park with his relentless attack of the ball.

Atif Saeed: At just 16, Saeed has demonstrated skill and ability beyond his years, a testament to the club’s junior development program. He made his MPL debut in 2022 and has only improved from there. He earned regular games in 2023 making the scoresheet on a number of occassions, and is rumoured to have been offered a trial with an A-League powerhouse club.

Callum Kerr: What Kerr lacks in size is made up for with heart and determination. His tenacious approach has served the Azzurri defence well in 2023 and as team captain, Kerr has shown great leadership. Despite his capabilities in the middle of the park, he excelled in bolstering the Azzurri defence as a centreback where he played most of the season.

Men’s Premier League Reserves

GARUDA FC

Lachlan Skene: Back to back MVP winner whose attacking flair from wingback played a major role in his side’s championship win. Skene rarely lost a one on one duel this season and has the ability to turn defence to attack with his dazzling runs. He also came equal second goalscorer even though he predominantly plays as a defender.

John Keirs: The new acquisition demonstrated maturity beyond his years controlling Garuda’s midfield and winning the Rising star award. Keirs is a no nonsense central midfielder who’s biggest attribute is his tackling and ability to read the game.

Mychael McGrath: Made it three golden boots in a row to certify his standing as one of the top strikers in the League. McGrath is known for his speed, agility, trickery, and has the ability to be beat multiple opponents. A real nightmare for any defender, especially when running towards goal.

Imam Mukhlis: The mid season arrival of the experienced Mukhlis proved pivotal, with his class and composure having a major influence in the back end of the season. His strength is his ball control and his ability to bring others into the game.

MINDIL ACES FC

Arman Dharni and Emmanuel Kipyator: At just 15 and 16 respectively, Arman and Emmanuel are two of the Aces’ most promising youngsters coming through the ranks.Pacey forwards, the boys were a part of the Aces Under 16s side who were crowned champions this year, and were both also selected to represent the Northern Territory at the National Championships in Sydney. As well as stand out performances in reserve grade all year they also made regular appearances for their Premier League sides, both scoring their first goals at that level this season.

HELLENIC ATHLETIC FC

The reserves side of the blue and white army made a sensational come back at the second half of the season and won the Premiership, extending the record to 5 in a row!

Foundi Gbekou: Won the golden boot of the league with 16 goals and played a large role in Hellenic winning five premierships in a row.

Yanni Stefanidakis: Had an exceptional season playing all the games for reserves and 11 for A-grade.

PALMERSTON ROVERS

Felix Lake: Lake finished the Division 1 season as Palmerston’s Golden Boot winner. The German player came to Palmerston wanting to stay connected to the sport he loves. And he quickly made a name for himself showing his talents in front of goal for his adopted team.

Other Nominations

LITCHFIELD FOOTBALL CLUB

Women:

Maili Clarke: Named 2023 senior women's Most Consistent.

Kasey Reid: Took out the Best and Fairest for 2023.

Cailei Bolwell: Won the 2023 Player’s Player award.

Men:

More Coverage

Hellenic reign supreme in grand finals fit for the history books

Darcy Jennings

Future Matildas: The NT’s next potential pro star revealed

Nathaniel Chambers, Max Hatzoglou

Jackson Reid: Named 2023 senior men's Player of the Year.

Aiden Ballantyne: Was awarded with the 2023 Coach’s Award.

Jay Phillips: Named as the 2023 Emerging Player.

Originally published as Best men’s and women’s players from the 2023 Darwin Football season