The A-League Men is known for being a starting point for some of Australia’s most exciting footballers, as teenage talents burst onto the scene for their local clubs.

Two such talents have been Garang Kuol, who delighted at the Mariners before jetting off to Newcastle United in the Premier League, and more recently Nestory Irankunda, who became a household name and is now impressing at German giants Bayern Munich.

With Irankunda gone, it gives the platform for a host of other young stars to take their chance and take the A-League by storm.

The Sporting News looks at some young players who could continue their rise this season, or some previously unknown names who could have a breakout year.

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Five young stars to look out for in the 2024-25 A-League Men season

Here are five young stars to look out for this season:

Thomas Waddingham – Brisbane Roar

• Position: Striker
• A-League games: 23
• Goals: 7

Thomas Waddingham isn’t an unknown figure for A-League fans after breaking out in Brisbane’s run to the Australia Cup Final last year.

He scored four goals in five cup matches – including in the final – before scoring seven goals in his debut A-League Men’s season.

Waddingham has already represented Australia at youth level, so he is clearly already highly rated by coaches as well as fans and pundits.

But he could shine even more in a settled Brisbane side this season; the Roar last season had four different managers as they fell to an underwhelming ninth placed finish; with Ruben Zadkovich at the helm and exciting Indonesian striker Rafael Struick beside him, Waddingham could thrive and push for double figures.

🗣️ “We’ve had plenty of offers from some of the biggest leagues in the world.”@brisbaneroar head coach Ruben Zadkovich speaks glowingly about 19-year-old Thomas Waddingham 🔥

They’ve got a good one in their hands 🌟 pic.twitter.com/UV3BWQWyu8

— Isuzu UTE A-League (@aleaguemen) September 26, 2024

Miguel Di Pizio – Central Coast Mariners

• Position: Attacking midfielder/winger
• A-League games: 22
• Goals: 2

Winning two major trophies at just 18 years of age isn’t half bad, scoring the clinching goal in a Grand Final win is pretty sweet as well.

The 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final Goalscorer 💫

Miguel Di Pizio loves the big moments 🥶#CCMFC #RideTheWave🌊 pic.twitter.com/ID4Wmk0aJP

— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) July 16, 2024

Miguel Di Pizio is making a name for himself under the palm trees of Gosford, becoming a key impact weapon off the bench for Mark Jackson’s team, as well as scoring three times and assisting once as the Mariners won the AFC Cup for the first time.

In a Central Coast side that has been a conveyer belt of young talent in recent times, Di Pizio is up there as one of the most technically gifted at the club and in the league as a whole.

Able to operate as both a pacy winger and a tricky number 10, expect his role in the side to increase this season after a few key departures for the Mariners; his time in the Australia youth setup shows he won’t be phased by the increased responsibility.

Kasey Bos – Melbourne Victory

• Position: Left back
• A-League games: 4
• Goals: 0

Kasey Bos already has a bit to live up to considering his older brother Jordy is already a Socceroo and starring in Belgium, but he came to prominence in last years finals series.

He got a hugely important assist in the elimination final win over rivals Melbourne City, and has continued his form in the Australia Cup, where he scored his first goal for the Melbourne Victory in the quarter-finals.

A first senior goal for Kasey Bos 🎉💪

Our third of the night! pic.twitter.com/TzKdqZy3i9

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) September 14, 2024

He is aiming to kick on in the season under new coach Patrick Kisnorbo, who gave his brother a chance at the crosstown rivals, and is looking to cement himself as starting left back despite competition from the experienced Adama Traore.

Kisnorbo is a manager not afraid to give young talent a chance, and after Bos’ call up to the Olyroos squad recently, there is a very good chance he will improve significantly on his four A-League appearances in the navy blue.

Hayden Matthews – Sydney FC

• Position: Centre back
• A-League games: 17
• Goals: 0

Hayden Matthews broke into the Sydney FC side in the middle of last season, and quickly cemented himself as starting centre back as the Sky Blues had a strong second half of the season.

A physical and athletic defender who is also comfortable playing the ball out from the back, the 20-year-old is the perfect modern central defender for a coach like Ufuk Talay who wants to play progressive football.

This block from Hayden Matthews is just 𝒖𝒏𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 😱😱

A reminder that this is only the 11th professional football match for the 19-year-old 😲

He had no right. And he still pulled it off! WOW#SydneyIsSkyBlue | #WeAreSydney pic.twitter.com/E5a62E0tyr

— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) April 7, 2024

He has continued his momentum in pre-season being selected and scoring for the Olyroos in September 0 whilst also starting all three games in the Australia Cup and in Asia so far – showing he is still seen as a key part of Talay’s plans this season.

Sydney FC are tipped by many to be a contender at the top of the table this season, and Matthews’ performances at the back could be a big reason for any success in the eastern half of the harbour city.

Dylan Scicluna – Western Sydney Wanderers

• Position: Central midfielder/fullback
• A-League games: 16
• Goals: 0

Western Sydney has always been a hotbed of Australian football talent stretching back decades, and under new coach Alen Stajcic it’s set to be young talent time for the Wanderers once again.

One such player who could make an impact is the versatile Dylan Scicluna, who became an impact player last season at both fullback and in the centre of the park.

Expect 20-year-old Scicluna – who came through the youth ranks of Premier league side Wolverhampton and is capped at youth level for Malta – to continue his progression, especially in his preferred role in centre midfield after the departure of Jorrit Hendrix in the off-season.

He has shown his ability to take control of games in the NPL NSW side, where he was a key figure in the first half of the season, and if Stajcic trusts him to do the same in the big leagues, it could propel a fearless young Wanderers side back to the finals.

Dylan Scicluna 🤝 Marcus Younis

The pair linked-up twice during our match against Central Coast Mariners in the @NPLNSW Men’s match on Wednesday night. #WSW #WSWvCCM pic.twitter.com/4MndEGUGfX

— WS Wanderers FC (@wswanderersfc) June 13, 2024

How to watch the A-League Men on TV, live stream

Some matches of the 2024-25 A-League Men season will be available for fans to watch on free-to-air television.

As part of their broadcasting agreement, Channel 10 will be showing two games per week on its 10Bold channel, but with a slight difference to the past two seasons.

Whereas in previous years there was one 7:45 p.m. game on Saturday and one 3:00 p.m. game on Sunday made available on free-to-air, this has now shifted to two back-to-back games on Saturday night, with one at 5:00 p.m. and the other at 7:40 p.m.

The platform also shows every finals match and the Grand Final on 10Bold.

Fans who want to watch every match of the A-League Men can do so via streaming platform Paramount+.