Sutherland Sharks Confirm 2026 First Grade Squad
We are pleased to confirm the full First Grade squad for the 2026 NPL NSW season, marking another important step in our Three-Year Football Plan.
This squad represents the clearest expression yet of the Club’s identity and ambition. The vision outlined in Our Three Year Plan remains unchanged: build a strong pathway, elevate the standards of our football program and assemble a First Grade group shaped by intent. We set out to bring Shire players home, promote deserving talent from within and strengthen key areas with players who can help drive the Club forward. The result is a balanced, competitive and united squad ready to take the next step in our long-term plan.
Your Sutherland Sharks for 2026
1. Danijel Nižić 2. Lachlan Macdonald 3. Yianni Nicolaou 4. Thijs van Amerongen 5. Jordan Perez 6. Ryley Hollingdale 7. Takumi Ofuka 8. Brendan Gan 9. Milislav Popović 10. Tariq Maia 11. Danny Choi 12. Sebastian Arranz 13. Zachary Nikolovski 14. Yuto Kokuryo 15. Jamie Percevski 16. Jacob McLachlan 17. Richard Shoueiki 18. Gian Fiorese 20. Jackson Barter 21. Nicholas Olsen 22. Tye McGowan 23. Lachlan Maher
Danijel Nižić, Brendan Gan, Tariq Maia, Yianni Nicolaou, Tye McGowan, Lachlan MacDonald, Sebastian Arranz and Richie Shoueiki all recommitted to the Club for the 2026 season. Their experience, standards and investment in the environment provide the backbone for the next phase of our journey.
Alongside this returning core, the squad also reflects the Club’s commitment to its pathway. Several players have earned their opportunity through the Sharks system, stepping up from the 20s into the First Grade environment. In parallel, the continued return of SSFA Junior club developed players showcases our commitment to providing a pathway to the top for our home-grown players. This combination of local DNA, internal development and targeted recruitment is central to the Three-Year Football Plan, which is now taking shape on the pitch.
To complement this foundation, the Club has secured a series of key additions who elevate the squad’s overall quality. Nicholas Olsen returns after a superb 2025 season that saw him crowned NPL NSW Player of the Year, while Danny Choi arrives as one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking outlets. In midfield, Japanese recruit Yuto Kokuryo brings J League experience, control and professionalism, and at the back, defenders Jamie Percevski & Jordan Perez strengthen the group’s structure, depth and balance. Each of these players fits the football identity we are building and adds qualities that will be vital across a long campaign.
Reflecting on the final squad, Head Coach David Perkovic said:
“This squad has been built with real clarity. We’ve retained key leaders from last season, added proven quality in important positions and given opportunities to players who have progressed through our program. The balance of the group is exactly what we were targeting. There’s local identity, experience and competition for places across every position. It reflects the ambition of the Club and the standards set out in our Three-Year Football Plan.”
With the squad now finalised and pre-season underway, the focus turns to cohesion, conditioning and embedding the Sharks football identity ahead of Round 1. 2026 represents another step in the Club’s long-term vision, and we look forward to welcoming our members, supporters and the wider Shire community back to Seymour Shaw as the journey continues.
Join us for the 2026 season - be part of the journey.
