Central Coast Mariners have added further depth and proven quality to their squad ahead of the 2026-27 Ninja A-League Women season, confirming the signings of forward Talia Kapetanellis and midfielders Te Reremoana Walker and Charlotte Lancaster.
Kapetanellis arrives on the Coast after rebuilding her case at NPL NSW powerhouse APIA Leichhardt, having first tasted A-League Women football with Western Sydney Wanderers in 2024-25. The forward has been a constant attacking threat for APIA throughout the 2026 season, and returns to the national competition with sharpened form and no shortage of confidence in the front third, following an 11-goal and 10-assist campaign in maroon and blue.
Walker, a New Zealand youth international who first arrived in the A-League Women as part of Wellington Phoenix’s inaugural 2021-22 squad, has spent the past several seasons establishing herself as one of the most consistent performers in the NPL Women’s NSW competition. She played a key role in leading APIA Leichhardt to the 2024 and 2025 Grand Finals and played 25 of APIA’s 30 matches in the 2026 campaign across all competitions, before making the move to the Coast.
Lancaster, also a full New Zealand international, returns to the A-League Women having already proven herself at the level with Newcastle Jets across the 2025-26 season, adding to an extensive NPL Women’s NSW career with APIA Leichhardt that includes a Sapphire Cup title and NPL Team of the Year recognition. The versatile midfielder has continued to impress since returning to Lambert Park this season, scoring a worldie in APIA’s NPL Women’s NSW semi-final on September 5, and was also selected for the Auckland FC Women’s Invitational XI’s clash with Chelsea FC Women at Eden Park in August.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome these three girls to the football club.” added Head Coach Dean Heffernan.
“From the moment they arrived, they have fitted into the environment exceptionally well. It already feels like they have been part of the club for years, which is a great reflection of both their character and the culture within our playing group.”
“I have no doubt that our training environment will bring out the best in all three of them.”
The trio also becomes the first players to move from APIA Leichhardt to the Mariners since Holman Barnes Group – which holds a shareholding in the NPL club – took charge of the ALW program’s new administrative structure earlier this year, with each arriving off the back of clearly earned form and development at NPL level.
All three players are set to link up with the Mariners’ squad as pre-season training gets underway ahead of Matchweek 1’s visit to Spencer Park in Queensland to face Brisbane Roar on Saturday 17 October.
