New Blood at Seymour Shaw: Meet the Mid-Season Signings
The Sharks have made a major mid-season statement—adding five fresh faces to strengthen our 2025 push.
From homegrown stars returning from Europe to experienced campaigners with A-League and national team pedigree, this new wave of talent brings energy, experience, and serious firepower across all areas of the park.
We caught up with a few of the boys for an exclusive sit-down about their football journeys, first impressions at training, and what the Sharks faithful can expect Watch the full interview below.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the new recruits.
Jaden Gasking
Position: Striker
Most recent club: Boavista FC, Portugal
Homegrown firepower is coming back to the Shire with the signing of 20‑year‑old striker Jaden Gasking. A two-footed No. 9, Gasking returns after three seasons in Portugal with Boavista FC’s academy—where he wore the coveted nine shirt and led the line in the Campeonato Nacional U19s.
But this is no unfamiliar face: Jaden’s football journey began at Sutherland Sharks back in 2014, when he joined our youth system at just nine years old. After a standout spell through to 2019 and a season with Sydney Olympic’s youth ranks, he made the leap to Europe in 2021.
His development in Portugal earned him national attention, and in 2023 Gasking was selected for Australia’s U18 squad at the FPF Sub‑18 International Tournament in Lisbon. He featured in all three matches, lining up against Portugal, England, and Norway.
Standing 1.77 m and deadly off either foot, Gasking combines explosive acceleration with smart movement in the box. Coaches praise his relentless pressing and nose for space—a byproduct of Portugal’s detail-obsessed academy football. Now, back where it all began, he’s ready to turn that European polish into goals at Seymour Shaw.
Welcome home, Jaden.
Tariq Maia
Position: Central Midfielder
Most recent club: Sydney United 58
Sutherland Sharks have secured one of the NPL’s most seasoned midfielders in 28‑year‑old Tariq Maia, who joins after seven years and more than 150 senior appearances for Sydney United 58.
A serial winner, Maia helped United claim the 2020 NPL NSW Championship, the 2023 Waratah Cup, and played every minute of their historic run to the 2022 Australia Cup Final—the first ever reached by an NPL club.
Maia brings composure, strength on the ball, and a razor-sharp football brain. Comfortable dictating tempo or disrupting opposition play, he’s also capable of moments of magic—like his 25‑metre thunderbolt against Western Sydney Wanderers in this year’s Cup run.
With big-game pedigree and the leadership qualities that come from more than 150 high-pressure matches, Tariq Maia arrives ready to anchor the Sharks midfield and steer the squad through the second half of the season.
Welcome to the Shire, Tariq.
Yianni Nicolaou
Position: Defender
Most recent club: Macarthur FC (A‑League)
The Sharks have added serious silverware pedigree to the backline with the arrival of 25‑year‑old full-back Yianni Nicolaou.
A two-time Australia Cup winner with Macarthur FC, Nicolaou was part of the Bulls’ inaugural A-League squad and returns to the NPL with top-tier experience and a drive to lead from the front.
His pathway began in the elite setups of the Football NSW Institute and Westfield Sports High, before graduating to Marconi Stallions. Nicolaou represented Australia at the 2016 AFC U-16 Championship, then spent a season in England with League Two’s Salford City FC—broadening his tactical education on European soil.
Since returning, he’s played a key role at APIA Leichhardt and Macarthur, where he locked down a starting spot and helped clinch both the 2022 and 2024 Australia Cup titles.
At 1.83m, Nicolaou brings physicality, elite endurance, and rare two‑footed versatility across the back line. He ranked in the 95th percentile for touches among A-League full‑backs last season, underlining just how comfortable he is on the ball.
Whether he’s shutting down an attack or overlapping to deliver a dangerous cross, Yianni brings a winner’s mentality and top-level standards to the Sharks’ back four.
Welcome, Yianni.
Leo Mazis
Position: Attacking Midfielder / Winger
Most recent club: Melbourne Knights (NPL Victoria)
Creativity, flair, and a football education straight from Celtic Park — that’s what 24‑year‑old Leo Mazis brings to the Shire. The Canberra‑born playmaker joins the Sharks after lighting up NPL Victoria this season with Melbourne Knights.
Mazis’ rise began at Belconnen United in the ACT, but he made headlines in 2018 when Scottish giants Celtic FC offered him a three‑year contract and a place in their elite development squad. After graduating to the reserves, he soaked up high‑tempo, possession-based football under the eye of some of Europe’s most demanding coaches.
In early 2020, he made the leap to Serie C side US Triestina in Italy, sharpening his decision-making under pressure before COVID-19 disrupted the campaign. Back in Australia, Mazis rebuilt with Sydney Olympic, then became a creative lynchpin for Dandenong Thunder, Heidelberg United and most recently Melbourne Knights — where he thrived as a chief chance-creator.
An Australia U19 representative, Mazis blends a low centre of gravity with a burst of acceleration and keen eye for through‑balls. From set‑pieces to solo runs, he’s a proven threat — and now, he’s primed to ignite Seymour Shaw with his vision and sharp final-third instincts.
Welcome to the Shire, Leo.
Matthew Jackson
Position: Winger
Most recent club: Bulls FC Academy (Macarthur FC)
A fan favourite is back in the Shire, as flying winger Matthew “Matty” Jackson returns to Sutherland after a year sharpening his craft in the Bulls FC Academy under A-League veteran Nicolai Müller.
Jackson impressed in 2024 with 26 NPL NSW appearances in Sharks colours, contributing one goal and two assists — but the numbers don’t tell the full story. He ranked among the league’s best for chances created per 90 minutes and drew more fouls than any other Shark, thanks to his fearless dribbling and tireless one‑on‑one efforts.
At Bulls FC, Jackson fine‑tuned his final‑third decision‑making and defensive pressing — learning to flip the field quickly and contribute to high‑tempo transitions. That development will serve him well in Steve Zoric’s up-tempo system, where pace, directness and fitness are non-negotiables.
Back at Seymour Shaw with fresh conditioning and a point to prove, Matty is ready to torment defenders and light up the touchlines once again.
Welcome home, Matty.
With five exciting additions across all areas of the pitch, the Sharks are reloaded for the run home. From youthful hunger to seasoned steel, this new wave of talent is ready to make its mark.
🦈 Be there on Saturday, July 12 to see them in action against Spirit FC. Get your tickets now.