After the 2021 season had to be cancelled due to Covid-19, the National League Championship is running in full for the first time in 2022. The men’s competition sees the top clubs in the country go head-to-head for national glory, with the best 10 sides in the Northern League, Central League and Southern League facing each other over 9 rounds. 

But who are the players to watch? We’ve run the numbers, crunched the stats and picked out 10 names who you should be keeping an eye on. 

Auckland City - Joe Lee

The 20-year-old attacker impressed in his first season with Auckland City after moving from North Shore United. The former Wellington Phoenix Reserves player can operate across the front line, netting 5 goals for the Navy Blues in the Northern League season. 

Auckland United - Kurtis Mogg

Kurtis Mogg started the 2022 season on the books of Wellington Phoenix’s A-League Men side. The Nix’s loss was Auckland United gain as the 21-year-old centre-back signed with the Mount Roskill-based side in June. A strong presence at the back, United closed out the season with five back to back wins without conceding a goal. 

Birkenhead United - Everton O'Leary

Defender Everton O'Leary is only 17 but still played 14 times for Birkenhead in the Northern League. The right-back played in every game accept the final at the OFC U-19 Championship, scoring once and assisting three times on the team’s way to the title. 
 

Kian Donkers playing for the U-19s in Tahiti | Photosport NZ

Cashmere Technical - Kian Donkers

Dutch-born Kiwi striker Kian Donkers recently finished as the top scorer at the OFC U-19 Championship after a stellar season for Cashmere Technical. Only just 18, Donkers finished the Southern League season as Cash Tech’s third highest scorer with 10 goals in 13 games. 

Christchurch United - Noah Billingsley

All White Noah Billingsley has returned to Aotearoa after 6 years in the US and will be looking to prove his talent back in domestic competition. A mid-season arrival for Christchurch United, the 25-year-old defender started every game since signing in Christchurch, scoring two goals and getting two assists. 

Melville United - Oliver Colloty

Striker Oliver Colloty has had a brilliant 2022. Finishing as Melville United’s top scorer, the 19-year-old took his good Northern League form into the OFC U-19 Championship where he finished as the second highest scorer including two goals in the final. 
 

Hamish Watson playing for Miramar Rangers | Photosport NZ

Miramar Rangers - Hamish Watson

Hamish Watson is going to be one of the main goal threats in the National League Championship. Finishing with 20 goals as the top scorer in the Central League, Watson has years of experience at national level, winning the previous full national competition as part of the Team Wellington 2020/21 side. 

Napier City Rovers - Oscar Mason

Only 18 as of August 2022, goalkeeper Oscar Mason played every minute of every game for Napier City Rovers in the Central League. His good form saw him selected for the OFC U-19 Championship squad and he will start the National League Championship as one of the youngest keepers in the competition. 

Wellington Olympic - Jack-Henry Sinclair

Previous Domestic Men’s Player of the Year, Jack-Henry Sinclair scored 14 goals for Olympic in the Central League from right wing/right wing back. The 24-year-old has proved himself season after season as one of the top players in the country and will looking to show it again representing Wellington Olympic in the new National League Championship for the first time. 
 

Noah Karunaratne playing for the U-19s in Tahiti | Photosport NZ

Wellington Phoenix - Noah Karunaratne

Winger Noah Karunaratne enjoyed a brilliant OFC U-19 Championship, assisting five goals. The 19-year-old played 15 times for the Nix Reserves during the Central League season and will be looking to prove himself at national level after only a handful of appearances in last season’s South Central Series. 

Article added: Friday 30 September 2022