Thought he might be deserving of his own thread by now given he's signed to the Jets.
Just to start the thread off on a positive note too, he has just been named on the bench of the NPL NSW team of of the season playing for the CCM Reserves.
Brother James is back in Australia having been trialling with the Nix up until recently. No word on a club for him as yet though, but he's working towards something.
Another great pre-season hit-out in Coffs. Goals from Bayliss x2, Buhagiar and Mauragis. The build-up continues to 23/24. Thanks to the 4,100 fans who came out tonight.#BondedByGoldpic.twitter.com/Nk8ZUwdIo1
I know it's only pre-season, but as well as his two goals last night there has been a heap of feedback online about Lachlan's performance last night too.
over 2 years ago· edited over 2 years ago· History
loyalgunner
Is Lachlan a kiwi or an Aussie with ties to NZ who we hope to lure into the All Whites?
The latter, I think? Soccerway has him born in Straya. EDIT: Done some more digging - my best guess is he was born in Darwin. Dad works/worked there, who is a Kiwi.
As at June 2021 there were 560,000 NZ born people living in Australia. Obviously a few hundred thousand more born there of Kiwi parents. In total that's a big number, similar say to the South Island as a population pool.
Some of those Oz based NZers will play football. A small number at a high level. Some like Stensness will feel more Australian, but others like Champness will be into their NZ roots. Expect an increasing number of Australian Kiwis filtering through to NZ's various national teams.
Yip I get all that and it makes sense. I ask more so I can gauge how realistic it is (and I guess how hopeful I should be of it happening). This forum has mixed results in identifying players - in some cases talking up players with minor links who were never realistically going to consider playing for NZ.
Yip I get all that and it makes sense. I ask more so I can gauge how realistic it is (and I guess how hopeful I should be of it happening). This forum has mixed results in identifying players - in some cases talking up players with minor links who were never realistically going to consider playing for NZ.
He was called up by the NZ u23's for games in Auckland during August, so he is firmly on the NZF radar.
Yip I get all that and it makes sense. I ask more so I can gauge how realistic it is (and I guess how hopeful I should be of it happening). This forum has mixed results in identifying players - in some cases talking up players with minor links who were never realistically going to consider playing for NZ.
His brother came to NZ to trial for the Nix. And one of them was in the NZ U23s or U23s wider squad.
Will always be a risk with some of these players (the better ones) that they flip back to Australia aka Stensness & Jelacic. But it works both ways as Joey Champness was in the Aussie age group setup before flipping over to NZ. Win some, lose some.
It's a worldwide thing as well. Happens with USA & Mexico for example all the time. USA & Germany (lot of American kids born or raised in Deutchsland). England/Wales/Ireland/Scotland tug of wars. I'm guessing alot of African background kids raised/born in European countries.
Easily to forget this guy, but if he's 100% eligible for NZ, must go close to to making the Olywhites. Agruably playing at a higher club level than likes of Jesse Randall, Jay Herdman & Riley Bidois.
Bayliss was injured at the start of the ALM season, but seemed to play really well when cracking Jets lineup 2nd half of the season.
Easily to forget this guy, but if he's 100% eligible for NZ, must go close to to making the Olywhites. Agruably playing at a higher club level than likes of Jesse Randall, Jay Herdman & Riley Bidois.
Bayliss was injured at the start of the ALM season, but seemed to play really well when cracking Jets lineup 2nd half of the season.
Makes the travelling reserves, behind all previously mentioned names. 🤭
Paris bound 🇳🇿 Well done Lachlan Bayliss! Called up to the OlyWhites for the 2024 Olympics!
Get to know Lachlan Bayliss as he talks through his journey to the Jets and his decision to represent New Zealand at the 2024 Olympics.#Togetherpic.twitter.com/VImK6I1IAB
Sounds like sadly his Kiwi dad is no longer with us, as he talks about it's honour to play for NZ (Paris Olympics) in his memory.
Be interesting to see how the Jets go with Milligan in charge. Stanton seemed to have them on the up, but they maybe back being wooden spoon contenders this season.
Arguably the most in form kiwi in the A League? Baze should be callimg him up- esp with Garbett out. Hes scorimg goals, we dont have a luxury of players doing that
A-League coach tips midfielder Lachlan Bayliss to push his way into All Whites
Newcastle Jets coach Mark Milligan is backing in-form midfielder Lachlan Bayliss to claim a spot in New Zealand’s FIFA Men’s World Cup squad.
The New Zealand U-23 international has been in impressive form for the Jets, scoring four goals and claiming two assists in his last five men’s A-League games.
“I know the (New Zealand) national team’s paying attention and having a look, and we’ve spoken about this from day one,” Milligan said.
Bayliss (23) is one of a number of young Jets players who are attracting transfer interest from overseas clubs.
“I want them to be ambitious. I want them to have lofty goals for themselves, whether that’s national team or throughout their career down the track.”
Milligan said Bayliss was “putting his best foot forward” for the chance to go to a World Cup.
A-League pundit Daniel McBreen agrees, telling the latest episode of the Total A-Leagues show: “He’s taken the bull by the horns and what a great time with a World Cup coming on, (and) going out of contract. Everyone will perform well then,” he said.
Born in Darwin, Bayliss qualifies to represent both Australia and New Zealand through his father, who was born in New Zealand.
He has committed to New Zealand internationally and has already represented the country at U-23 level, including three appearances during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Played as more of an 8 to start the season in Newcastle, but has put his name up in lights playing that 10 position of late.
Vaguely recall him having said recently that playing as a #10 is more his natural position too. Pretty sure he was playing that role for CCM II in the NPL a couple of years back now where he was also scoring and assisting by the boatload, before moving to the Jets.