Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Barely a year after Talia Kapetanellis thought her A-League Women career was over, the young forward is the talk of the competition.
Kapetanellis, 21, leads the golden boot race after starring with three goals across Central Coast’s two dominant wins to start the season.
But just 15 months ago, the then 19-year-old was distraught – cut by Western Sydney at the end of the 2024-25 season after only sparse appearances for the Wanderers.
“There was a period of time where I honestly was considering just quitting football,” Kapetanellis told AAP.
“But I also knew that it was probably crazy for me to think that after just one bad experience in the A-League.”
Kapetanellis went back to Sydney Uni in the NPLW and got her confidence back up.
Then, determined to push for an A-League Women opportunity, she made the “scary” call of joining APIA Leichhardt.
Kapetanellis scored 10 goals and notched 11 assists for APIA – while finishing her business degree – then signed with Central Coast.
“Looking back, I’m proud of how I handled all that. I’m proud of how I I didn’t stop performing or give up or anything,” she said.
“And just like that, last season ultimately helped me earn another opportunity in the A-League with Central Coast.
“Looking back now, it showed me that sometimes you have to take a different path to get where you want to go in your career.”
Kapetanellis scored a terrific goal in the Mariners’ opening 4-2 win over Brisbane, then notched a brace in a 5-1 rout of Canberra.
“Coming back into the A-League environment and just having the opportunity to show what I can do, I feel like I’ve come into this experience with a different level of maturity and a better understanding of myself as a player compared to my last season in the A-League,” she said.
The 21-year-old has thrived under coach Dean Heffernan and formed a lethal forward trio with star attacker Peta Trimis, 20, and 18-year-old striker Skye Halmarick – who have six goals and three assists between them.
“I’ve known Peta honestly my whole life – we’re family friends, but we’d never actually played together,” Kapetanellis said.
“Skye, I met her at the start of pre-season and honestly she’s like one of my best friends.
“We’re all just super close now and we call ourselves ‘The Devious Trio’.
“I really enjoy playing with them. We just all connect so well and read each other so well in the game.”
Kapatenellis believes league leaders Central Coast, who almost folded before this season, can do something special.
And with dreams of overseas moves and national team appearances, Kapatenellis, who still works for her family’s mechanical business part-time while playing, won’t put a ceiling on herself.
“I definitely still have big ambitions for myself,” she said ahead of Saturday’s clash with Adelaide at Polytec Stadium.
“I want to see how far I can take football. I don’t want to put a limit on what I can achieve.”
