2025 Men’s National League – Team of the Season

After 56 games of Men’s National League football, one of the most unpredictable campaigns we’ve ever seen ended in the most predictable manner: with Auckland City lifting the trophy. But those pesky old jokers didn’t have it easy. After giving everyone else a headstart, the Navy Blues had to win their last three in a row to qualify for the final and once there they needed a stoppage time equaliser at the end of extra time and then some penalty shootout magic to get their name engraved on the silverware for the third time in the past four seasons. Even after a year in which they played 44 competitive games using 45 different players with games in six different competitions across four different countries in three different confederations (and that doesn’t even include friendly games)... Auckland City Football Club just know how to get the job done.

There shouldn’t be anyone left who needs to learn this lesson but apparently wishful thinking stemming from years of dominance can be a powerful inhibitor of logic. So here’s a reminder once and for all: never, never, never count out Auckland City FC. For years now they’ve had the undeniable habit of grabbing crucial late goals and winning necessary football games. But credit also to Wellington Olympic who have run them pretty close in recent years and were seconds away from winning this championship. The Greeks weren’t at their best through the 2025 Nats either but they did get close to those heights on a few occasions: the comeback win vs Birkenhead, the 10-man victory against Miramar, et cetera. They would have been worthy champs themselves under different circumstances. Needless to say, both ACFC and the Greeks are well-represented in these Team of the Season selections.

Western Springs were leading the pack with a month to go, their team-wide understanding and flowing passing style taking them to a Northern League title but not a National League one after three straight defeats at the end tripped them up. Miramar Rangers had been scoring goals for fun and they took advantage of that Springs slide... only to run out of goals in the final week as they lost to their Greek rivals and get jumped themselves. Auckland FC Reserves had a fantastic first National League outing. Luke Casserly’s side played like a younger mirror image of their A-League squad and ended their year on a seven-game unbeaten streak with one of the best defences in the land. That’s not normal for what’s ostensibly an U20s side. The Wellington Phoenix couldn’t match that production... though they did go ballistic with a 7-2 win in the last round to remind everyone that they’ve got plenty of talent in their ranks too.

Christchurch United might have had a sniff of the top two if it weren’t for a wonky patch in the middle of the season amidst some player turnover and probably a bit of OFC Pro League distraction as well. Coastal Spirit never got going at all, only scoring five goals in nine games although they did grab a famous 1-0 win against Western Springs which ultimately cost the Swans a spot in the final. Western Suburbs had an 8-0 win over Coastal, the biggest MNL victory for several years, yet struggled badly away from home to finish mid-table. Auckland United struggled everywhere but did manage to blood some pretty exiting youngsters along the way. And poor Birkenhead seemed to lose a key player every week yet still somehow managed to maintain a cohesive playing identity despite it all, finishing with a couple of wins to boost their stocks.

The rules here are simple: the author picks whom the author wants. This is all a bit of fun with the intent to offer due recognition to the premier domestic footballers in the country. There are three teams, tiered as a First Eleven, Second Eleven, and Third Eleven. One team just doesn’t feel substantial enough and often that first eleven kinda picks itself... although not this year, where an even competition and a lack of outright dominators means that there’s plenty of personal preference and subjectivity required. So hold your complaints if your bro didn’t make the cut, it is what it is (but defs send through your own selections). This is all based purely on performances from the National League phase. Let’s get into it.

FIRST ELEVEN

GK – Nathan Garrow (Auckland City)

There may not a single player who has improved more over the past 12 months than Nathan Garrow. He only joined ACFC in 2024 after Joe Wallis signed with West Bromwich Albion, occasionally filling in for some U20s minutes as a promising youngster. Then he made a name for himself with some heroic saves against Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup and since then he’s just skyrocketed. Confident, composed, and convincing. He’s got full internationals in his defensive line yet the 21yo is never shy to let his voice be heard. Very courageous. Makes some wonderful saves, particularly in those 1v1 situations. We’re so accustomed to seeing Conor Tracey between the sticks for the Navy Blues but Nathan Garrow played every minute during the National League and there was no drop-off at all. The only thing missing was a couple saves in the grand final shootout but hey he still won the thing so no sweat.

CB – Theo Ettema (Miramar Rangers)

It was a bit curious when Theo Ettema left Wellington Olympic at the start of the year to join Miramar Rangers, who hadn’t even made the National League in 2024. But he knew what he was doing. Previously seen as a centre-back/centre-mid hybrid, Ettema nailed down a starting CB job with Rangers and if this National League is anything to go by (it is) then he’s found himself a home. He was the one constant in the back four for Rangers as they went within a whisker of making the final. Very tall and commanding at the back, he also scored three goals getting up for set pieces. If you’ve been reading the Team of the Week nods in our TNC Substack newsletters then you’ll know that Ettema was one of only four dudes who made four separate TOWs (Prins, TDP, and McKenlay were the others).

CB – Christian Gray (Auckland City)

Not to be rude here but if we’re only measuring pure talent and athleticism then there are far more gifted defenders in this competition than Christian Gray (the main one being the guy who’s partnering him here). Not one of them had a better season than El Profesor though. This team is only for National League but it’s valuable context to mention the predilection this bloke has developed for scoring crucial goals – beginning with the draw vs Boca at the CWC. That carried on into the Nats with a late equaliser vs AFC, a clinching second in a must-win vs Coastal in the last round, and then of course his 120+2nd minute leveller to force penalties in the final. Gray played every game, anchoring the ACFC defence with the kind of defensive performances that you can build a team around. Barely put a foot wrong. And he’s a cult hero in Argentina too (check out the social media interactions for any ACFC post about Gray scoring a goal).

CB – Nikko Boxall (Auckland City)

Now we come to the bloke who actually is the most talented and athletic defender in the competition. The best, too. The only possible reason for not putting him first team was that he did miss three of the first five games... but considering they conceded seven goals in those three matches that probably works in favour of his case. Boxall is the younger bro of All Whites legend Michael and has played over 200 games of professional footy himself, mostly in Finland and Denmark, as well as being a six-cap All Whites international. It’s pretty obvious that he’s a level above. He’s faster, fitter, stronger, and smarter than the competition. Nobody jumps higher. Took a remarkably good penalty in the shootout too.

RWB – Owen Smith (Miramar Rangers)

A worthy recipient of the National League MVP award after re-announcing himself in kiwi football. The 25yo wide player, who hails from New Plymouth, was a Phoenix Reserves lad once upon a time before spending four years over in America doing the college thing. He was a midfielder when he left but something must have changed because he played exclusively as a winger or fullback during this National League. And, yeah, that worked out pleasantly. He was the creative source for almost everything that Rangers did. Direct running and outstanding crossing from open play. Set piece deliveries, especially those lefty inswinging corners. The multiple penalties that he earned. Add them all together and that’s how this lad ended up with eight assists (including the penalties) from nine matches. The only game he missed was the season finale where Miramar lost 2-1 to ten-man Wellington Olympic to fall shy of a grand final spot... safe to say they could have used him.

CM – Mario Ilich (Auckland City)

This guy right here, more than anyone else, drives the standards at ACFC. He’s a leader on and off the pitch, anchoring the midfield with nous and guile and a bit of aggression when required. Only missed one game during the National League despite the intense workload across the full year and when the Navy Blues found themselves in must-win territory he scored in two of their last three matches (all wins). Ilich is one of those players who is so reliably excellent every week that you can take for granted how much he’s doing. For that reason, he wasn’t one of the initial names that pop off the longlist when putting together a team like this yet as other names were scratched off his stayed there and eventually it became clear that this is where he needed to be.

CM – Finn McKenlay (Auckland FC)

The ginger-headed maestro in the midfield for Auckland FC. He made a couple of A-League appearances last year during an injury crisis and was a key player at the U20 World Cup a few months back so not an unknown by any means. But people have gotta know that Finniesta is no ordinary prospect. With his height and long strides there are shades of Marko Stamenic about the way he moves across a football pitch. He brought a very sturdy presence to those defensive areas from the outset, shielding the back four and collecting the ball early in the build-up, and as the season progressed we saw more and more of his cross-field switches and forward carries. Then by the end of it he was banging in long-range goals as well. McKenlay could have simply focussed on his CDM duties and still been a very notable National League force but nope he ramped it up in the opposition half as well and that’s pushed him all the way into TNC’s 2025 First Eleven. Amazing player, get him into that A-League squad, Mr Corica!

CM – Tor Davenport-Petersen (Wellington Olympic)

He didn’t win the overall award, that was Owen Smith’s territory, but Tor Davenport-Petersen did get TNC’s endorsement for National League MVP. He was the best player for the best team, a powerful figure going box to box for the Greeks and he did so every week without fail. What an engine on the man! Three goals and an assist too – including a screamer in a comeback win away to Birko and also the goal that sent Wellington Olympic into the final when they beat Miramar in the final round. TDP is the drummer who holds the beat for this team. He’s the hands of the clock. He’s the key in the ignition. He used to be one of the most underrated players in the country but at this point you’d have to have your head in the sand to still be underrating him.

LWB – Oliver Van Rijssel (Christchurch United)

Inconsistent though his team may have been, you had to be impressed by Oliver Van Rijssel’s efforts on the left edge – sometimes at LCB in the back three, sometimes at LWB. That kind of versatility is so helpful, so valuable... especially when it’s a player like OVR whose touch and decision making are dependable enough that you could probably put him anywhere on the pitch and he’d be effective. He rips in defensively and his three assists along the way reflect what he had to offer in the other direction. The Ole Academy graduate was hugely influential in the win against Miramar Rangers and the draw against Auckland City so you can’t say he didn’t bring the goods in big games either. Superb campaign from the 25yo. Like many here, you’ll catch him next in the OFC Pro League.

FW – Isa Prins (Wellington Olympic)

No doubt about it. Isa Prins was fantastic during a tough campaign for the Greeks last year so with the team looking much more like its familiar self this time he had even more room to impress. Hero of the Chatham Cup final... and now a National League MVP candidate at only 20 years old. Prins scored in extra time of the grand final to take his tally to five goals and five assists. He was able to remain effective whether he was picked as an attacking midfielder or as a left wing-back thanks to his wicked dribbling and lighting quick off-ball runs. Really good in crowded areas too, thanks to that sneaky futsal touch that he’s developed. There was plenty of hype around him coming into this MNL and he delivered on all of it. Unlucky to miss out on U20 World Cup selection a few months back and you have to wonder if they’d still be brave enough to ignore him if that squad was being picked now.

FW – Martin Bueno (Miramar Rangers)

The runaway Golden Boot winner has gotta be here. There were games when Bueno was absolutely unplayable with his slick touches and his flawless finishing. Despite being a relatively slight fella, he holds the ball up superbly, using his body as a shield, and having the ability to spin out of pressure and create immediately from those situations. We’ve seen the Uruguayan do this for years in Aotearoa and he remains as good as ever, also swooping on that Central League Golden Boot. He scored nine times in the Nats, 19 times in the Central League, and when you add in a Chatham Cup goal that takes him to a sweet 29 bangers for the 2025 calendar. Nobody else scored more than five in the National League - even if you discount his three penalties, he was still the top scorer. Bueno also had games where he was barely a factor as opponents cut his supply line, such are the perils of being a striker, but when Rangers got that ball where it needed to go there they couldn’t have dreamed of a better finisher to put it where it needed to go.

SECOND ELEVEN

GK – Quillan Roberts (Western Suburbs)

Admittedly he did have a shocker against Miramar when he conceded two goals directly because of his own intercepted passes... but otherwise the Guyana international was a star. Always confident in possession no matter what, plus he made some wicked saves. Wests conceded 11 goals in the eight games that Roberts played... and 10 goals in the two that he didn’t (and those two games were against bottom-half teams – Christchurch Utd and Wellington Phoenix). Even without the stats, you can watch this team and it swiftly becomes clear that he’s such an important factor in how they operate. There aren’t too many more valuable players than QR in that way.

RB – Hideto Takahashi (Auckland United)

Almost had the great master in the first team but bounced him last minute for Theo Ettema, nevertheless the 38 year old Japanese international still lands softy in the seconds. He recently announced his retirement as a player, shifting his focus to full-time coaching, so rest assured that he went out with a bang. Probably better when he played in the midfield though still a force at fullback. Takahashi was unbelievable in the 3-2 win against Birko where he scored the decisive goal with ten to go. Flawless touch. Precise passing. Nobody in this league can claim more experience than a chap who played over 200 times in the J1 League and earned seven caps for Japan, even captaining them in a win against Australia back in 2013.

CB – Ross Haviland (Auckland United)

It really was the old heads who held it together for Auckland United – which was no easy feat in a team that altered its back four in all but two matches. Haviland was absolutely massive in their comeback 2-2 draw with Miramar in week three (he even scored the first goal). Always helps to have a centre-back as imposing and secure as The Hav Man. Back in those early rounds he was probably in MVP contention, such was his presence at the back for AUFC. The team’s struggles spoiled that possibility but there’s no denying what a difference he made.

CB – Justin Gulley (Wellington Olympic)

Might have pushed it into the first team if not for his red card in the last round robin game, causing him to miss the grand final. Ah well. But the Greeks likely wouldn’t have made it that far without him. Gulley was the team’s most reliable defender across the full span of ten games (although Ben Mata finished extremely strong and you’ll hear about Alex Solomon soon enough), then when they needed wins towards the end he switched to wing-back and started serving up some attacking juice too. Whatever was required, that’s what he did (until getting sent off against Miramar, yeah sure).

LB – Devin Slingsby (Birkenhead United)

Beaverton, Oregon produced a good’un right here. The American wing-back originally joined East Coast Bays at the start of the year but flipped to Birko midway through and ended up winning the club’s Player of the Season award for the MNL portion. Can’t argue with it. In a team that seemed to be losing players left right and centre, this bloke was a rare permanent source of dependable quality with his dynamic movement and supreme crossing. He got the job done on either side of the pitch. They even tried him in midfield one week. Two goals and three assists. Neat work.

CM – Bradley Whitworth (Miramar Rangers)

This fella used to do the same stuff for Hamilton Wanderers so there’s nothing surprising about seeing him sweeping those midfield areas and cleaning house for Miramar. But it maybe it helps to know the reputation because Whitworth’s so good at that gig that it’s very easy to miss it. For a team that likes to bomb its fullbacks forward, it’s such a crucial thing to have a top shelf CDM who can break up those counters and this English import does it as well as any in this league.

CM – Wan Gatkek (Western Springs)

No other team was as cohesive and down-pat in their stylings as Western Springs and the key to their fluid, deliberate build-up play, with a back three and high wing-backs, was how well the central midfielders linked everything together. Gatkek and also Daniel Normann – so intertwined that they’ve been linked together in this Second Eleven as well. Gatkek’s a very polished player these days, you don’t see the stepovers as much as in days gone by but you do still see those long strides charging through midfield and you also see him dropping deep to collect the ball from his defence. He’s the fulcrum.

CM – Daniel Normann (Western Springs)

And so is this guy. The baby-faced menace from Norway (via USA), with his cherubic visage sending a contrasting message to the arm tatts and biting challenges. Whereas Gatkek did a little more of the dropping in, Normann had a more impetus to charge forward into the press which helped him add a couple assists to the cause. Only 23 years old and soon to be seen (like a few of the hombres in this article) in the OFC Pro League thingamajig, having signed with Auckland FC. Hard-working player, very enjoyable to watch. Hopefully he sticks around for several more years.

FW – Sebastian Barton-Ginger (Western Suburbs)

Another ever-present starter. SBG carried on his great form throughout the year (dating back to the last National League, to be honest, when the former WeeNix/Miramar winger first linked up with Wests). For the first half of the season, he was a lock for First Eleven selection thanks to his slick dribbling and attacking intent, which were so massive in the 8-0 victory against Coastal (in which he scored twice). He was crucial in the win against Birko too. But Wests fell off after that, only winning one of their last six matches, and with that SBG’s influence was curtailed to a mere five goals and one assist. Even then he only barely dropped down into the Seconds. At 21 years old, the best is yet to come too.

FW – Jack-Henry Sinclair (Wellington Olympic)

It may not have seemed like JHS was firing on as many cylinders as in previous seasons but then you check the numbers and he’s churned out five goals and an assist for the minor premiers. Even in a relatively quiet season he was still out there dominating. JHS remains one of the most fouled players in the National League but he was able to dodge the injuries this term, starting every game. They alternated him between wing-back and the front-line (even including a clever spell as the striker in a win vs Western Springs) and it didn’t make a difference - he was gassing in behind the defensive line wherever they put him.

FW – Gianni Bouzoukis (Wellington Olympic)

For a while there, it wasn’t going great. Bouzoukis mostly came off the bench during the first month and looked a little choppy in front of goal, perhaps struggling for rhythm or confidence. Then he scored the winner against Western Suburbs and the floodgates opened as pretty soon he’d scored in four consecutive games, looking every bit the threat of previous years. Five goals and two assists for Bouzoukis – who is likely to become the club’s record goal-scorer some time next season as long as he sticks around.

THIRD ELEVEN

GK – Scott Basalaj (Wellington Olympic)

There was definitely some thought towards Emmett Connolly sneaking in here, the teenager from Western Springs who got a couple rotated starts early in the season and was so impressive that he held that spot the rest of the way with Oscar Mason stuck on the bench. But nah let’s put some due respect on Scott Basalaj’s name. Such a presence in that penalty area. A valuable leader for his team. Nothing gets past him easily... not to mention that gigantic boot which gives Olympic an extra route one option going forward. As if they need another one.

CB – Aidan Carey (Western Springs)

The pick of the Springs backline, same as last season. Played every single game and anchored the back three for a team that was averaging less than a goal per game after seven rounds. Things got sloppier following their bye week, hence Carey’s not been able to repeat his first team honours of last season, but at 24yo it’s pretty clear that AC has earned himself a reputation as one of the country’s best local CBs.

CB – Dino Botica (Birkenhead United)

Here’s another of the country’s best local CBs. Different type of player to the smooth passing and anticipation of Carey, old mate Dino is more of a front-foot defender who’ll spot a 50-50 challenge and turn it into an easy win. Pretty handy for a team as transitional as Birko, who need him to bust up counters by jumping on those early deliveries. He does that and he also snaps up all his headers. Birko’s defence was a bit of a mess around him, with only Coastal Spirit conceding more, but within that were numerous instances where Botica battled heartily against the odds and kept it way closer than it could have been.

CB – Alex Solomon (Wellington Olympic)

This poor guy missed the shootout penalty that would have won Wellington Olympic the championship... but one moment doesn’t define a bloke’s entire season. The English-Cypriot defender played every game except one (they lost that one, beaten 3-2 by Christchurch Utd) offering good size and combativeness in the back three. That’s all well and good but the best aspect of Solomon’s game is his remarkably accurate long ball, hitting those magical 30+ metres diagonal switches with ease, fitting in perfectly for a Greeks side that loves to move in transition and has lightning wingers like Isa Prins and Jack-Henry Sinclair always keen to attack the space in behind.

RWB – Ry McLeod (Western Springs)

This was a breakthrough season for the 21yo winger, who initially came through with Tauranga City but has bounced around a few clubs in the last couple years searching for that right fit. Played a Chatham Cup final with Melville United. Decent in the National League with Napier City Rovers a wee while ago. McLeod hit new heights with Western Springs in an ideal role as an attack-minded wing-back where his pace and ability to make those overlaps gave the Swans some useful directness and plenty of kilometres travelled.

CM – Mason Stearn (Coastal Spirit)

There ya go, managed to find room for one Coastal Spirit player. As rough of a campaign as it was from them, never really replacing the loss of their Southern League top scorer Riku Ichimura, they did have a pretty industrious midfield between Stearn, Joe Hoole, and Kaleb de Groot-Green (when he wasn’t playing defence). Stearn caught the eye with his workrate and some keen distribution. He was also a mainstay, starting all but one game... and the one that he didn’t was the 8-0 loss to Wests which works in his favour too.

CM – Gerard Garriga (Auckland City)

To be fair, Triple-G had performances in there that weren’t only worthy of First or Second Eleven selections, they would have put him into MVP consideration if he’d only played a few more games. He was the best player on the pitch scoring two crucial goals in the 3-2 win against Wests. Also scored in a late equaliser in the draw vs Christchurch United and in a win against Auckland Utd. Four goals in six starts. Those late runs into the box combined with his technical ability... so good. But he missed a few too many games to be picked any higher than this, particularly since ACFC were undefeated without him (and two of his six starts were 3-0 defeats). But damn when he was fit and firing, what a sight.

LWB – Joel Stevens (Christchurch United)

Another one who had to park some of his natural enterprise in order to fit into the team around him. For Joel Stevens, that meant playing a lot as a wing-back for a Rams side that didn’t operate with wide forwards, where he’d have been of best use (unless they’re super attacking wing-backs like when he was with Wellington Olympic a couple years ago). Still had his moments of genius though – the standout being a 10/10 solo performance in the 3-2 win against his old mates at Olympic. Three goals and three assists overall. What a player.

CAM – David Yoo (Auckland City)

There’s a nagging feeling that David Yoo, an MVP candidate last year after joining Coastal Spirit for the Nats, has more to offer than he’s allowed to within the Auckland City style of play. He thrives upon broken play and ACFC are just too organised, with and without the ball, for those moments to arise often enough. But he still had an excellent campaign, chipping in with three goals and two assists whilst starting all the games. He’s so hard to tackle with his elusive speed and precise left boot. Played his best stuff down the stretch as City entered must-win territory and, naturally, continued winning.

CAM – Reid Drake (Western Springs)

Probably didn’t produce the output that he might have, since two of his four goals were penalties and he only got one assist, but to watch the Swans play it was clear that Reid Drake was the lock-picker in that team. Just a really clever, experienced player who adds some punch to that smooth Western Springs unit. That includes his set piece delivery, not to mention the ol’ leadership attributes. You get the feeling he was probably the first name on the teamsheet every week for coach Scotty Hales... and has been for a couple of years.

FW – Luke Flowerdew (Wellington Phoenix)

He scored the winner against Wrexham and he scored a lot of other goals this year too, including three with an assist in the National League where he was continually the main threat for the WeeNix. The only game he didn’t start, he came off the bench to score the winner (1-0 vs Coastal). Flowerdew is a mobile striker who makes excellent runs when the room is there for him and is one of the truest finishers in the club’s system at the moment. Tough nugget too. Perhaps hasn’t had the first team opportunities that others have gotten despite less production (there are always multiple factors that go into those decisions, to be fair) but the 19yo is surely knocking at the door. He’s a striker who’s got The Knack. Those guys don’t come wandering around the corner every day.

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Written by Nick Robinson On Tagged