Lachlan Bayliss
New Zealand association footballer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lachlan Ryan Bayliss (born 24 July 2002) is a professional footballer who most recently played as a central midfielder for Newcastle Jets. Born in Australia, he represents the New Zealand national team.
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Bayliss making his debut for the All Whites in March 2026. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Lachlan Ryan Bayliss[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 24 July 2002[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Central midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Mindil Aces | |||
| Newcastle Jets | |||
| 2018–2023 | Central Coast Mariners | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022–2023 | CCM Academy | 46 | (23) |
| 2023–2026 | Newcastle Jets | 62 | (6) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2024 | New Zealand U23 | 3 | (0) |
| 2026– | New Zealand | 2 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 28 April 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 27 March 2026 | |||
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.[2]
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.[3] 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.[4] The season saw the team win the Premiership for finishing top of the table and achieve promotion to the top flight,[5] however losing the Grand Final 2–1 after extra time to St George City.[6]
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.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]
His departure from the club was confirmed the following day.[10]
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.[11]
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.[12] 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, Bayliss had signed a contract extension for 2 more years.[13]
Bayliss scored his first professional goal in round eight of the 2024–25 A-League in a 4–0 win over Perth Glory.[14][15] Bayliss featured in all 26 league matches, starting 19 of them.
Bayliss contributed to Newcastle Jets’ second major trophy, making four appearances during their victorious 2025 Australia Cup campaign.[16] Bayliss and the Jets would go on to win their second title of the season, winning the A-League Men Premier's Plate on 19 April 2026 following Auckland FC's 1–0 loss to the Central Coast Mariners.[17][18] Bayliss scored 5 goals and registered 3 assists during the regular season.[19]
On 28 May 2026, the club confirmed that Bayliss would depart the club at the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2025–26 season.[20]
International career
Bayliss was eligible to represent both Australia and New Zealand, through his father being born in New Zealand.[21][22]
In August 2023, Bayliss was called up to New Zealand U23 squad for OFC Olympic qualification matches against Papua New Guinea and Fiji.[23] In July 2024, he was named as an alternate player for the New Zealand Olympic football team.[24] On 23 July 2024, Bayliss was announced as being included in the squad proper after Riley Bidois withdrew due to injury[25] and he subsequently appeared in all three of New Zealand’s matches.
On 16 March 2026, Bayliss earned his maiden call-up to the All Whites for the FIFA Series, where the team were scheduled to face Finland and Chile.[26][27] Bayliss made his debut in a 0–2 loss to Finland.[28]
Personal life
Bayliss' brother James also played for the Central Coast Mariners, making 13 A-League appearances and currently played for Auckland FC OFC PL team. The brothers featured together in the Mariners NPL first grade sides in 2022 and 2023.[citation needed] They are not related to three-time Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss.
Career statistics
- As of 28 April 2026[19]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Central Coast Mariners Academy | 2022 | Football NSW League One | 25 | 14 | — | — | — | 25 | 14 | |||
| 2023 | NPL NSW | 21 | 9 | — | — | — | 21 | 9 | ||||
| Total | 46 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 46 | 23 | ||
| Newcastle Jets | 2023–24 | A-League Men | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2024–25 | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 27 | 1 | ||||
| 2025–26 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 31 | 5 | ||||
| Total | 64 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71 | 6 | ||
| Career total | 110 | 29 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 29 | ||
Honours
Club honours
- Newcastle Jets
- A-League Men – Premier's Plate (1): 2025–26.
- Australia Cup (1): 2025.
