Damian Tsekenis missed almost 3 years of football. Now he's leading the Golden Boot race: 'I forgot how it was'

There is a runaway leader in the 2026 NPL NSW Golden Boot race, but Damian Tsekenis’ journey is far from straight forward.

Tsekenis was the star of the show on Saturday. The Marconi Stallions forward scored twice as the 2024 champions outclassed NWS Spirit 3-0 to soar to the top of the standings in Round 15.

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For Tsekenis, it took his season tally to a league-best 13 goals - four clear of his nearest rival.

It is also another example of the 25-year-old’s return to his finest form, after almost three years without football.

The former Central Coast Mariners attacker was banned for two years and nine months by Football Australia for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances following an out-of-competition test in 2022.

Tsekenis was cleared to return in December 2024 and the talented player has not looked back, especially this year after eight goals in 31 appearances last term.

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"It feels a bit surreal on my first day going into a change room; it's like I forgot how it was in a change room," Tsekenis told Front Page Football previously.

"Everyone knows my circumstances, and they know I was off for a while, so it took a little bit to get back running."

Tsekenis and Marconi are top of the table on goal difference through 15 rounds.

Sydney United are level on points following their 3-1 win away to St George FC, headlined by Mason Wells’ stunning first-half strike.

APIA Leichhardt went from top spot and down to third, two points off the pace, after their shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of St George City. First-half goals from Yohn Pederson and Hiroto Dohmoto fuelled the hosts.

Elsewhere, Wollongong Wolves are riding an 11-game unbeaten streak following the club’s 1-0 success against Manly United.

SD Raiders and Sutherland Sharks played out an entertaining 2-2 draw, Western Sydney Wanderers squandered a two-goal lead in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Blacktown City, UNSW FC were 2-0 victors over Rockdale Ilinden and Sydney FC were too good for lowly Sydney Olympic.