The season that was reaffirmed who we are and what we stand for. Across changing circumstances and elevated stages, the club met every challenge with belief, discipline and intent, forming the foundation for what comes next.
Marconi Stallions’ Men’s First Grade produced a high-quality National Premier Leagues NSW campaign in 2025, finishing the regular season in third place, just four points shy of the premiers in one of the most competitive NPL seasons in recent memory.
After championing the 2024 NSW NPL season & despite losing key players from our grand final winning squad, the Stallions in ferocious form with an unbeaten run of 13 games, showing remarkable consistency & quality from the offset.
A huge congratulations to our U20’s Mens NPL side who were crowned Champions after their grand final win over APIA Leichhardt at Valentine Sports Park.
Ultimately the Stallions secured qualification for the NPL NSW Finals Series. Victory in a local derby against Sydney United 58 in the preliminary final which was decided by penalties in a midweek fixture at the Palace saw us advance to the Semi Final where we unfortunately were eliminated by APIA Leichhardt.
Alongside league football, our hunt for silverware continued in the 2025 Australia Cup, navigating the unique demands of Australia’s premier knockout tournament.
The Stallions delivered competitive performances throughout the qualifying rounds, facing quality opposition and embracing the intensity of elimination football. The Australia Cup campaign provided valuable opportunities for squad rotation, exposure for emerging players and further experience in high-pressure match environments beyond the league season.
Due to our position in NPL 1, the Stallions entered the competition in Round 4 with a 2-1 victory over Bankstown City FC from NPL 2. A red card from Damian Tsekenis & a brace from Jake Trew made for a truly captivating cup fixture.
The Stallions were drawn against Prospect United FC who were competing in NPL 3 however they have since earned promotion to NPL 2. A brace from Aleksandar Gvozdenovic bolstered the Stallions to a 4-1 win at the Palace.
Progression to Round 6 took the Stallions to the Illawarra region to face off against Bulli FC. The Stallions were victorious in a 2-1 win over the Illawara based side at Balls Paddock.
The Australia Cup is known for creating fairytale storylines which was no different in Round 7 with our fixture against APIA Leichhardt. Our third fixture against our cross city cultural rivals for the 2025 season unfortunately ended 3-2 in defeat at Lambert Park.
The Australian Championship marked a historic return to the national stage for Marconi Stallions, offering a rare opportunity to test the club against elite opposition from across the country. From interstate travel to knockout drama and a place in the inaugural Grand Final, the campaign became one of the most memorable in recent club history.
Competing against 7 other foundation teams & 8 clubs that gained entry by winning their federations, our group consisted of Wollongong Wolves (foundation team), Heidelberg United FC (VIC Premier), & South Hobart FC (TAS Premier).
Round 1 vs Heidelberg United FC
Our Australian Championship journey began with their first interstate fixture in over five years, travelling to Victoria to face Heidelberg United. In a tightly contested opening match, the Stallions were edged out 1-0, but the result was secondary to a landmark moment for the club. Seventeen-year-old Noah Anderson was introduced from the bench, replacing club captain Marko Jesić, marking a symbolic passing of responsibility and highlighting Marconi’s commitment to youth on the national stage.
Round 2 vs South Hobart FC
The Stallions’ first home match in the Australian Championship proved a defining statement. Playing at Marconi Stadium, Marconi delivered a commanding 4-0 victory, headlined by a hat-trick from Damian Tsekenis, the first hat-trick in Australian Championship history. The performance showcased our attacking quality and sent a clear message to the rest of the competition.
Round 3 vs Wollongong Wolves FC
Our second home match produced one of the most memorable matches of our campaign with a 3-0 win on home turf. Will Akio opened the scoring, celebrating his goal with his trademark backflip that quickly became an iconic image of the campaign. Franco Maya converted confidently from the penalty spot. Noah Anderson came off the bench to score a sensational solo goal, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the competition at the time.
Round 4 vs Heidelberg United FC
Marconi Stadium on Halloween was shaped by dramatic conditions. Severe thunderstorms delayed kickoff, setting the scene for a gritty contest under challenging circumstances. The Stallions fought hard for an evenly contested point with the match ending 1-1 , with Harry Van der Saag rising highest to score with a powerful header. Sending Heidelberg back home with only a point is a feat not many team has been able to reduce the Victorian side to in the 2025 season.
Round 5 vs South Hobart FC
One of the most distinctive away trips of the tournament took Marconi to South Hobart Oval, a boutique venue on Darcy Street, with Mount Wellington looming in the background. Despite the long journey far from home, Marconi delivered a composed 2-0 victory, with goals from Anton Mlinaric and Matej Busek.
Round 6 vs Wollongong Wolves FC
Entering the final group match, finals qualification was already within reach, with Marconi needing to avoid a six-goal defeat. While the 5-0 loss was close to sending us out of the tournament, the result did not define the campaign. The Stallions secured progression to the knockout stage, keeping our Championship ambitions alive & setting the stage for a dramatic finals series.
Quarter Final vs Wests APIA FC
The quarter final at Leichhardt Oval produced one of the most dramatic nights in Australian football history. We faced off against our cross city Italian rivals for the fifth time in a calendar year in their backyard. Matej Busek opened the scoring off the back of an excellent team play working the ball up the pitch, before APIA found a late equaliser after a Green Card request from Peter Tsekenis was denied. After 2 penalties were overturned in regular time the 90 minutes ended in a stalemate which took the game to extra time. The match saw no breakthrough during extra time which led to a penalty shootout. In the shootout, James Hilton delivered a goalkeeping masterclass which paired with his off field studies in the medical field saw the nickname Dr Hilton come to life as he saved 3 penalties to secure our spot in the semi final. This result set our two clubs 5 game series of 2025 to 3-2 Marconi.
Semi Final vs Moreton City Excelsior FC
Infront of our home fans the Stallions did not disappoint with a commanding display of football in an impressive semi final showdown. Once again, Matej Busek rose to the occasion, scoring the decisive goal to send the Stallions into the inaugural Australian Championship Final. The 1-0 victory capped a remarkable knockout run and ensured Marconi would compete for national silverware. We concluded our run of home matches with a completely unbeaten record at Marconi Stadium.
Grand Final vs South Melbourne FC
The grand final was played at Olympic Park, the home of Heidelberg United on Saturday 8 December. Droves of faithful Marconi Stallions fans made the trip interstate to cheer on the boys from Bossley Park. While we were unable to find a breakthrough and ultimately lost 2-0, the occasion itself marked a significant achievement. Reaching the final of the inaugural Australian Championship represented a milestone moment for the club and a powerful statement of its national competitiveness.
From interstate match days, historic firsts, youth milestones and knockout drama, our Australian Championship campaign was defined by belief, opportunity and resilience. Finishing as inaugural runners-up, the Stallions showcased their ability to compete on the national stage, laying foundations not just for future campaigns, but for the next generation of Marconi footballers to follow & support.
NPL Award Honours:
– NPL NSW Team of the Week: Tyren Burnie (R1, R16, R27), Damian Tsekenis (R2, R9, R15), Anton Mlinaric (R4, R5, R9), James Bayliss (R7, R17, R28), Domenic Costanzo (R8, R10, R21), James Hilton (R10, R13, R19), Marko Jesic (R6, R11), Matej Busek (R13, R30), George Daniel (R11, R12), Franco Maya (R3, R22), Jake Trew (R12), Lachlan Griffiths (R22) & Tass Mourdoukoutas (R23)
– NPL NSW Player of the Month: Tyren Burnie (February & August), Anton Mlinaric (March), James Bayliss (May), James Hilton (April) & George Daniel (April)
– NPL NSW Team of the Year: James Hilton, Lachlan Griffiths & Tyren Burnie
– U20’s Golden Boot: Abbas Reda (20 goals)
– 2025 NPL NSW Goalkeeper of the Year: James Hilton
Club Award Recipients:
– Ray Richards Player of the Year – James Bayliss
– Tony Henderson Players Player of the Year – Tyren Burnie
– Les Scheinflug Rookie of the Year – Julian Monge
– Men’s U20s Player of the Year – Jett Long
The season that was reaffirmed who we are and what we stand for. Across changing circumstances and elevated stages, the club met every challenge with belief, discipline and intent, forming the foundation for what comes next.