2011 VPL season underway

The Victorian Premier League (VPL) is underway for 2011 with South Melbourne, Northcote City, Bentleigh Greens, Heidelberg and Oakleigh all in action.

The 2011 season was officially launched last night at the Alex Tobin OAM Medal at the Crown Palladium.

FFV CEO Mark Rendell said fans could expect more competitive football.

"The 2010 season was extremely competitive; it came down to the final home and away round before the top six teams were decided for the finals," Mr Rendell said.

"The 2011 season looks like being no different, it should be another brilliant season."

Indeed the season opened with five goals as Victorian Training Center Football (VTC Football) thrashed newly promoted Springvale White Eagles 4-1.

VTC matches this season (called NTC in 2010) will be played for points, a change that will force the VPL's clubs to field full-strength squads.

South Melbourne host Green Gully at John Cain Memorial Park in Northcote as the club's Albert Park facility continues to undergo re-development.

South will be led by new coach Eddie Krncevic who has already made headlines in his short time at South.

Krncevic, who has begun his second stint at South Melbourne led to victory in the club to the 2011 Hellenic Cup after the side defeated Heidelberg 2-1 in the final. Along with the winners purse of $10,000, South snared its third trophy in the preseason tournament in five years.

But Krncevic has also ruffled feathers amongst the playing staff, with 2009 and 2010 captain Rama Tavsancioglu being shown the door after being allegedly told he was surplus to requirements after 136 games with the club.

Tavsancioglu is rumoured to have been stripped of his captaincy while playing in the A-League with North Queensland Fury.

'Rama' has since been unveiled by Oakleigh, a club never shy in signing former South Melbourne players.

Richmond face Heidelberg at Kevin Bartlett Reserve while Bentleigh Greens will play Springvale White Eagles at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, on Sunday, with kick off at 7pm.