Jeremy Cox

Sutherland Sharks

Age: 21

Position: forward

Under Terry Palapanis at the Sharks, he’s been a shining light.

Five goals in nine games for the side on the bottom of the ladder shows Coxy’s value to the Shire outfit.

He’s come up through the juniors and into the U20s and showed his worth to the club’s senior team this season.

A great story of youth development in an area that has produced so many top talents.

PLUS...

Three future A-League players smashing Queensland's NPL

The latest A-League talent radar focuses on NPL in Queensland. The Sunshine State has three future A-League talents you need to know now.

Thomas James

Wollongong Wolves

Age: 25

Position: forward

He's a virtual unknown but could the A-League have finally woken up to star NPL striker Thomas James?

The NSW NPL goal machine from ladder leaders Wollongong Wolves is on the radar of at least one A-League club.

He’s been a superstar in Capital Football, and now the NPL NSW, but could he make his A-League debut later this year?

Sources tell FTBL that Central Coast Mariners are at least one A-League club closely monitoring the striker’s breakout season in the NSW NPL.

New Mariners boss Alen Stajcic could be poised to swoop as he rebuilds his battered Mariners on a budget. 

James, 25, has smashed an impressive 12 goals in nine games for the NSW south coast-based Wolves.

TJ is a great example of the talent often hidden in the NPLs around Australia.

James has been a goal machine in the NPL Capital Football competition, scoring a staggering 80 goals in 83 games over the last four years.

In 2018, he banged in 19 goals in 17 games for Canberra FC to justify his reputation as the hottest striker in the ACT. 

After a pre-season trial game for Wolves against the Mariners, James did enough to impress former Socceroo and Sydney FC defender Luke Wilkshire, who is managing his hometown club the Wolves this season. 

The former World Cup Socceroo who has played in England, Holland, and Russia, didn't need much convincing and snapped up the Englishman in the off-season.

"He is quick, has a good first touch, can beat a defender, works hard and can obviously find the back of the net," Wilkshire said after James inked his two-year deal. 

And what a smart move that’s turned out to be.

Far from being a step up, James has continued his sensational scoring form in the powerful NSW NPL.

Those in the know believe he’ll win the player of the year award in NSW.