Dynamic A-League form puts ‘unknown’ Newcastle Jets midfielder on All Whites’ radar
Lachlan Bayliss has emerged as a potential All Whites bolter. Photo / Photosport
Lachlan Bayliss is the potential All Whites bolter you’ve probably never heard of.
Well – maybe you have – given his recent deeds for the Newcastle Jets – but he is far from a household name in New Zealand football circles.
That’s no surprise, given his background. Born and raised in Darwin, Bayliss was picked up by the Central Coast Mariners as a 16-year-old. He spent five years in their system, before joining their local rivals in July 2023.
For most of that time Bayliss, who is tipped as a strong contender to make the All Whites for matches against Finland and Chile in Auckland, didn’t even consider he was eligible to represent New Zealand.
Though he had a Kiwi father, the thought of wearing the silver fern had never crossed his mind.
“To be honest, I didn’t realise I could play for New Zealand until I was 19 or 20,” Bayliss told the Herald.
“It wasn’t until then that I filled all the forms out to get my passport and everything. I really wish I would have done it sooner ... but as soon as I realised I jumped at it.”
That could prove to be a pivotal decision, especially with the Fifa World Cup around the corner.
Bayliss has gone from someone who wasn’t even in the frame not so long ago, to a player who is making the New Zealand Football hierarchy take notice. There is plenty of depth in his position – defensive or attacking midfield - but he has been in red-hot form for the A-League-leading Jets.
“I definitely feel more confident,” Bayliss said. “That’s helped me perform at the level I’m playing at the moment.”
Quite simply, Bayliss has been a revelation. He has found the net five times in the last seven A-League matches – including a couple of stunning strikes – along with two assists.
Newcastle have been on a hot streak, with nine wins and a draw from their last 10 games ahead of their crucial showdown with Auckland FC on Saturday. It’s been perfect timing for Bayliss, who hasn’t featured at all during this World Cup cycle but could make the ultimate late run.
“It’s definitely something that I do want to achieve, whether it’s this window or next year,” Bayliss said. “[If] I am selected I want to keep getting selected over and over. I’ve just got to keep working hard and scoring goals. It definitely helps to be standing out in games.”
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has been in regular contact.
“He’s just said to keep going, keep pushing,” Bayliss said.
“He messaged me a few times after some of the goals, which is nice.”
But Bayliss isn’t allowing himself to dream about being in North America later this year.
“Look, I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself,” Bayliss said. “I still haven’t made a camp yet.”
It wouldn’t be the first time that Bayliss has made a late run. Ahead of the 2024 Olympics, Bayliss didn’t feature at all in the qualifying campaign – partly due to injury – then was only named as a travelling reserve for the Oly Whites, outside the initial squad, before getting an eleventh hour chance when another player was ruled out through injury.
“It was quite divine timing for me,” Bayliss said. “I was pretty unknown to everyone there, I hadn’t met anyone going into the camp and a lot of the boys had been together for years. But I got my opportunity and I feel like when they saw me train they discovered what sort of player I was.”
Bayliss went on to feature in all three matches in Paris, including two starts.
The 23-year-old is famously versatile, which helps his cause. His preference is as an attacking midfielder but he has been employed in numerous positions across his A-League career, including striker, winger, holding midfield and even a match at right fullback this season.
He has an eye for a goal, a good engine and a fiercely competitive streak, which belies his easy going nature.
“You’ve got to change when you’re on the field,” Bayliss said. “You can’t be a nice guy.”
He was in the spotlight on Saturday, as Newcastle hosted Auckland FC in a blockbuster match. With six games to play, the Jets held a four-point advantage over Auckland at the top of the table. But it was the Black Knights who took the spoils, winning 2-1 to take the visitors to within one point of the New South Wales team.
Michael Burgess has been a Sports Journalist for the New Zealand Herald since 2005, covering the Olympics, Fifa World Cups, and America’s Cup campaigns. He is a co-host of the Big League podcast.