With only a handful of National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s rounds remaining, there have been some eye-catching performers that have cemented themselves as starring players in this year’s 2021 season.

Known as the best NPL in Australia, the NPL NSW Men’s competition has been blessed with some fantastic and amazing talent that have since gone onto playing in the A-League and beyond.

Here are some of the outstanding performers in 2021.

APIA Leichhardt FC – Mathieu Cordier

The former Western Sydney Wanderers graduate has been one of the club’s most consistent and outstanding performers this year.

The versatile defender with engines to burn who can also play in the midfield, has been one of the few bright sparks that have lit up the club’s performances in 2021 already catching the attention of rival NPL as well as A-League clubs wishing to snap up the 22-year-old.

His work ethic and ability to play 90 minutes with ease along with his distribution has been a pleasure to witness for spectators at Lambert Park.

Blacktown City – Carlos De Oliveira

At 20, Blacktown City have really unearthed a gem here in the form of midfield supremo Carlos De Oliveira.

The tricky midfielder has been fantastic to watch at Lily Homes Stadium playing the role of the “assist” king at the club as well as scoring three goals in his breakout year in the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

A player with a huge future in the NPL and beyond.

Manly United – Ben Gibson

Adam Griffiths has unearthed a number of quality young stars at Cromer Park but none more so than 17-year-old striker Ben Gibson.

Mark our words, this kid will be a star.

Playing well beyond his age suggests, Gibson has been electric with the appearances he’s made for Manly thus far and will only get better as the season progresses.

Marconi Stallions – Mark Rodic

In a club littered with a number of experienced NPL players, Mark Rodic has certainly held his own for the Marconi Stallions.

The 23-year-old’s sleek composure as well as never-say-die attitude has been there for all to see as he is quickly grown into one of the most consistent defenders of the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers – Jack Stewart

It may seem like this guy has been around for a while now, but Mt Druitt Town Rangers’ sharpshooter Jack Stewart has really come to life in 2021.

The 23-year-old has been in peak form thus far seeing him hit the back of the net nine times this year with that stat set to grow when lockdown ends.

A player that has dazzled many at Popondetta Park, Stewart’s quality up-front has been a breath of fresh air for Stewart Montgomery’s squad.

Northbridge Bulls – Rory Jordan

A lot has been already said about Northbridge Bulls skipper Rory Jordan this year.

The former Wanderer has been Mile Sterjovski’s finest player to date in a squad blessed with some incredible talent.

Scoring goals as well as setting them up with ease, Jordan’s pace and skill has been wonderful to watch as the 21-year-old has used the NPL NSW Men’s competition as a platform for bigger and better things.

Watch this space, Rory Jordan is a star.

Rockdale Ilinden – Mohamed Ahmed

It’s been a topsy-turvy season for Rockdale Ilinden as they started off like a club possessed before succumbing to a midseason slump which has since picked up.

One midfielder that has done his bit in steering the ship has been 20-year-old midfielder and unsung hero Mohamed Ahmed.

Never an easy midfield to crack a starting spot at Ilinden, Ahmed has slotted into Steve Zoric’s plans and is certainly a player for the future at the club.

Sydney FC – Jake Girdwood-Reich

Its not just his fashionable mullet that has attracted suitors to Sydney FC’s 17-year-old future star Jake Girdwood-Reich, it’s been his outstanding performances that has seen him grow in stature as one to watch out for.

Another club blessed with some quality talent, Girdwood-Reich fits the bill as one of those modern-day footballers that can play some serious ball.

2021 has been a huge year for the young gun but something tells us that it won’t be too long till we see Girdwood-Reich line up for the senior squad in the not-too-distant future.

Sydney Olympic – Danial Dias

It’s never easy trying to crack a quality midfield at a club such as Sydney Olympic but since making the move to Belmore, 22-year-old Danial Dias has really made it his own in becoming one of Ante Juric’s starring footballers.

Blessed with a deft touch as well as a good work-rate ethic, Dias has quickly risen up the ranks as being one of the most in demand midfielders in the league and with good reason.

Sydney United 58 – Jackson Khoury

We’ve sung this kid’s praises last season, but 18-year-old Sydney United gem Jackson Khoury continues to solider on as being one of the league’s hottest products.

2021 has seen this exciting young gun raise the bar even further in what is a star studded line-up at Edensor Park.

One thing’s for sure, this kid is definitely going to go places as he continues to clock up the match minutes in the NPL NSW Men’s competition.

Sutherland Sharks – Gabriel Contigiani

Seymour Shaw has seen a number of good young talents surface but there’s been a player that has slowly pushed himself as one the club’s finest this year, defender Gabriel Contigiani.

The no-nonsense tough tackling 21-year-old made the move to the Sharks for more game time and that has certainly done this kid well as he has cemented himself as one of the finest young talents coming through the NPL NSW Men’s ranks.

Wollongong Wolves – Bilal Belkadi

Yet another youngster sporting a fashionable mullet, its not just that that’s been the talking point at the ‘Gong this year.

The 21-year-old’s energy, pace, and desire to win at all costs as well as loving a tackle or two has earned him the respect of one of the league’s enforces of this year’s NPL NSW Men’s competition.

The more game time Belkadi receives, the better this footballer will become staking his claim as one of Wollongong’s most consistent players this year.

-By Marcus Angello