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Lachlan Ryan Bayliss (born 24 July 2002) is an Australian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Newcastle Jets.

Club career

Bayliss' formative years as a footballer were spent in Darwin, Northern Territory, spending 4 years playing at youth level for Mindil Aces, before joining the youth set up at Central Coast Mariners as a 16 year old in 2018.

Central Coast Mariners

Having come through the age groups for the Central Coast Mariners Academy, Bayliss was promoted into the NPL First Grade team for the Mariners for the 2022 season, with the Mariners competing in the newly renamed NSW League One competition, the second tier in the National Premier Leagues NSW system. Bayliss made an immediate impact for the team, ending the season as the equal top scorer in the competition with 13 goals in 22 appearances. The season saw the team win the Premiership for finishing top of the table and achieve promotion to the top flight, however losing the Grand Final 2-1 after extra time to St George City.

In January 2023, Bayliss was signed on a scholarship contract with the Mariners, joining his older brother James in training with the Mariners first team squad for the 2022-23 season. Bayliss continued his fine form into the 2023 NPL season, with the team now competing in the top flight following the previous season's promotion. Bayliss was a key member of the team, scoring 9 goals in 21 appearances. Bayliss had a standout performance against North West Sydney Spirit at Pluim Park, being involved in all 4 goals for the side in a 4–2 victory, initially with two assists and then scoring two goals in two minutes late in the match to secure the victory from a position of 2-2. However, that match would be his penultimate appearance for the club, appearing one final time against Sydney FC Youth. Bayliss scored again in his farewell match, and was clapped off by teammates and supporters at the end of the match.

His departure from the club was confirmed the following day.

Newcastle Jets

Following his surprise release from the Mariners, it was announced the following day that Bayliss had signed for F3 Derby rivals, Newcastle Jets.

On 17 July 2023, Bayliss made his professional debut in an Australia Cup play-off match against Melbourne Victory at Larrakia Park in Darwin, coming off the bench as Newcastle won on penalties to qualify for the 2023 Australia Cup round of 32. Bayliss also made his A-League debut in Newcastle's opening match of the season, a 2–2 away draw against Perth Glory.

Newcastle Jets would announce on 24 June 2024, he had signed a contract extension for 2 more years.

International career

Bayliss is eligible to represent both Australia and New Zealand, through his father being born in New Zealand.

In August 2023, Bayliss was called up to New Zealand U23 squad for OFC Olympic qualification matches against Papua New Guinea and Fiji. In July 2024, he was named as an alternate player for the New Zealand Olympic football team. On 23 July 2024, Bayliss was announced as being included in the squad proper after Riley Bidois withdrew due to injury and he subsequently appeared in all three of New Zealand’s matches.

Personal life

Lachlan's brother, James, also played for the Central Coast Mariners, making 13 A-League appearances. The brothers featured together in the Mariners NPL first grade sides in 2022 and 2023.

References

1. ^ "Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024: Squad list" (PDF). FIFA. 24 July 2024. p. 11. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
2. "Ex-Darwin soccer junior turned A-League pro to play in Aus Cup". NT News. 14 July 2023.
3. "Lachie Bayliss enjoying his Mariners experience". footballnsw.com.au. 11 May 2022.
4. Greg Stock. "New South Wales League One Golden Boot Winners". ozfootball.net.
5. "Academy Men's First Grade and U20s claim League One premiership and Club Championship". Central Coast Mariners FC. 8 August 2022.
6. "St George City crowned 2022 League One champions". footballnsw.com.au. 3 September 2022.
7. "Kuzevski's scholarship extended, Bayliss and Hong secure new scholarships". Central Coast Mariners FC. 18 January 2023.
8. "Bayliss dominated for Mariners in 4-2 win over Spirit". mens.nplnsw.com.au. 18 June 2023.
9. "Mariners win their fifth in a row at home with victory over Sydney FC". mens.nplnsw.com.au. 25 June 2023.
10. "Lachlan Bayliss departs Central Coast Mariners". Central Coast Mariners FC. 26 June 2023.
11. "Newcastle Jets sign Lachlan Bayliss and Daniel Stynes". Newcastle Jets FC. 27 July 2023.
12. "Newcastle Jets 2-2 Melbourne Victory (Penalties: 4-2) (Cup)". aleaguestats.com. 17 July 2023.
13. toml (24 June 2024). "Lachlan Bayliss Re-Signs". Newcastle Jets. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
14. "Jets duo called up for Australia and New Zealand U23's". Newcastle Jets FC. 17 August 2023.
15. "Men's Football Team Announced for Paris 2024". New Zealand Football. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
16. "New Zealand forced to make squad changes ahead of Olympic Games opener". Friends Of Football. 23 July 2024.

External links

• Lachlan Bayliss at Soccerway

v t e New Zealand men's football squad – 2024 Summer Olympics
1 Paulsen 2 Boxall 3 Sutton 4 Bindon 5 Surman 6 Bell 7 Garbett (c) 8 Old 9 Waine 10 Singh 11 Randall 12 Sims 13 Kelly-Heald 14 Herdman 15 Sheridan 16 Conchie 17 Bayliss 18 Van Hattum 19 Gillion 20 Hughes 21 Toomey 22 Gray Coach: Bazeley

• 2002 births
• Living people
• Australian men's soccer players
• Australian people of New Zealand descent
• Men's association football midfielders
• Central Coast Mariners Academy players
• Newcastle Jets FC players
• National Premier Leagues players
• A-League Men players
• Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics
• Olympic association footballers for New Zealand
• 21st-century Australian sportsmen