A-League and Australian football news LIVE: Matildas star Sam Kerr nominated for 'The Don' award

Matildas star Sam Kerr has continued to rack up achievements after being nominated as a contender to win 'The Don' award.

The award is named after Australian cricket legend Don Bradman and is given to an athlete or team to recognise their performances on the international scene.

Some of the other sport stars nominated alongside Kerr include cricket gun Ellyse Perry, Formula One driver Daniel Ricciardo and Indianapolis 500 winner Will Power.

The award will be presented at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame 34th Induction and Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 11 October.

Central Coast have announced the numbers their two star signings will wear this A-League season

What an absolutely seismic day for Australian football.

Captain Nigel Boogaard and experienced utility Jason Hoffman have put pen to paper on new contracts that will see them stay in the Hunter until the end of the 2019-20 A-League season.

Boogaard, 32, and Hoffman, 29, signed one-year extensions to their contracts during last campaign, but have been given an extra season by the club in a show of faith after helping lead their team to the A-League grand final.

"Following the grand final, I thought it was important that we reward two players who had really impressed me throughout the year and particularly during the finals," Jets coach Ernie Merrick said.
 
"The way Nigel overcame his knee injury to then be one of our best players in the finals was an absolute credit to him – he’s a tremendous leader.
 
"Jason has been equally exceptional, his fitness, drive and adaptability to play a number of positions has been invaluable."

Australia's Joeys will be at the 2019 under-17 World Cup in Peru after a stunning 3-2 victory over Indonesia in the AFC under-16 championships.

The Joeys went behind early in the first period but managed to pull a goal back after Birkan Kirdar's pinpoint delivery found Daniel Walsh's head just before half time.

Goals in the second half to left-back Adam Leombruno and Noah Botic gave Australia a two-goal buffer before Indonesia pulled one back at the death to make it a nervy finish.

It's the first time Australia's Joeys have qualified for the under-17 World Cup since making the round-of-16 in Chile 2015.

See the player ratings for every Joeys player

The beard has gone!

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Australia's depleted striking stocks have been given a further boost ahead of next month's Kuwait friendly with Tomi Juric making his second consecutive appearance for FC Luzern.

Juric, who has been troubled by a hamstring injury since the World Cup, played 17 minutes in Luzern's 3-1 loss to FC Sion after playing 28 minutes against FC Basel last week.

Former Melbourne Victory midfielder Luc Jeggo scored a goal and played a full game as his Florø side won 3-2 over Viking in the Norwegian First Division, while brother James played a full game in Austria Vienna's 1-0 triumph against Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga and James Holland got the full 90 for LASK Linsk in a scoreless draw versus Sturm Graz in the same competition.

Fringe Socceroo defender Alex Gersback played 90 minutes in the Norwegian Eliteserien for Rosenborg in their 1-0 defeat to Molde.

Talented midfielder Denis Genreau was on the pitch for 64 minutes as PEC Zwolle drew 2-2 with AZ - Goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was an unused substitute.

Eric Paartulu played the full 90 in Bengalaru's 1-0 win over Channaiyin in the Indian Super League.

Australian attacker Andrew Nabbout was meant to be sidelined until January, but was included in Urawa Reds match day squad on Sunday.

Though he didn't make it off the bench, Nabbout's speedy recovery is a timely one for the Socceroos with the Asian Cup on the horizon.

Read the full story here.

Usain Bolt has stolen the headlines, but Central Coast will be determined to earn a few of their own this A-League season.

A new coach, a rejuvenated squad and a superstar waiting in the wings should give fans and neutrals alike a reason to keep an eye on the Mariners.

Read our full preview here. 

After another disappointing effort last season, the odds look like they're again against Wellington Phoenix soaring in this campaign.

Failing to sign a marquee and knocked out of the FFA Cup by an NPL side, the early signs aren't good for the Nix.

Can they defy the odds? Read our season preview here.