South Melbourne – Green Gully
This weekend football fans are in for an exciting clash as South Melbourne, the current leaders, host Green Gully in an all-important match. The Greens may be a strong team but they won’t be able to rattle the historic club. South Melbourne have been incredibly serious since the beginning of the season, and if they show up and apply all their energy and skill to the game, they should easily pocket the three points. This promises to be a thrilling matchup that has the potential to drastically alter the standings.
Oakleigh Cannons – Melbourne Knights
The task ahead of the Cannons this weekend is difficult, they will face the formidable Melbourne Knights at home. The “Croatians” will be travelling to Oakleigh with the aim of securing a victory that would propel them into third place, a scenario that Chris Taylor and the other members of the “blue and white” club would rather not think about.
Last year’s champions are in high spirits, playing some beautiful and highly effective football, and are ready to take on any mischief from South Melbourne and Avondale.
We caught up with Champions coach Chris Taylor to get a statement from him regarding the upcoming game against the Knights.
“Our team faces another tough test. The Knights play direct and effective football, so we must take the pitch with seriousness, strength, and passion if we are to win the match. As one of the best teams in the league, my players must give their all on the pitch if we are to achieve a good result.”
The experienced coach appeared quite satisfied when we asked him for his opinion on the overall performance of his team so far in the league.
“My players have pleased me greatly. We have signed 10 players and, naturally, we require some time to become a unified team, so we are progressing week by week. I am satisfied and very optimistic about the future.”
Port Melbourne – North Geelong Warriors
Coach Piddick will be fielding his strongest team this Saturday afternoon as Port Melbourne looks to return to positive results against North Geelong, who currently sit at the bottom of the standings. With the advantage of their home strength, the Sharks are determined to win and remain in the top five of the league. Selection issues are not expected to be a problem for the team.
Bentleigh Greens – Moreland
Last week’s win against Warriors was certainly a cause for celebration, but the Bentleigh Greens must keep their feet firmly planted on the ground. After all, there’s a must-win match at home against Moreland coming up – one of the weakest teams in this year’s NPL. After managing to climb out of the dreaded bottom of the standings, the Greens will be determined to keep their current standing. After all, nobody wants to think about a return to negative results, so the team will be doing all they can to avoid it. It’s sure to be an exciting match and one that can have huge implications for the rest of the season.
Heidelberg United – Hume City
This week, Heidelberg United faces another difficult task as they host the tough Dandenong Thunder at Olympic Park. The historic Alexandros desperately needs points and a positive boost to help the club look to the immediate future with more optimism. The away team will do their utmost to leave with the three points from a victory, which will keep them within reach of the top five in the table.
NPL2
Kingston City will be aiming to reverse the negative impact of their home loss to Langwarrin. The “Red and Whites” put in a dismal performance on Monday night, failing to generate any real chances and unless they alter their approach quickly, they could find themselves in trouble against Juventus from Brunswick.
The weekend is expected to be extremely challenging for the other two “Greek” teams in the league. Northcote will travel southeast of the city to face Langwarrin, while Brunswick City will face the league leaders, Western United.
NPL3
Box Hill United has a great opportunity to move up one or two places in the standings this weekend, as they will be facing Boroondara, which is only three points ahead of the “Greek” club.
State Leagues
This weekend, Yarraville will face Westgate in a very important match. If they win, the “Greek” team could climb to third place in the northwest group standings.
Malvern, sitting in third place in the Southeast group of the same league, will travel to beautiful Mornington to take on the local side, who currently sit alone at the top of the table. Aris’ mission of victory looks more achievable as they will face away from home the bottom of the standings, Richmond.
NPL Round 15
Friday 26 May
Oakleigh Cannons – Melbourne Knights 20:30
Heidelberg United – Hume City 20:30
Saturday 27 May
St Albans Saints – Dandenong Thunder 15:00
Bentleigh Greens v Moreland 15:00
Port Melbourne Sharks – North Geelong Warriors 17:30
Altona Magic – Avondale 18:15
Sunday 28 May
South Melbourne – Green Gully 16:00
NPL Table
1. South Melbourne 14 37
2. Avondale 14 37
3. Oakleigh Cannons 14 32
4. Melbourne Knights 14 30
5. Port Melbourne 14 21
6. Dandenong Thunder 14 19
7. Green Gully 14 18
8. Hume City 14 17
9. Altona Magic 14 17
10. St Albans Saints 14 13
11. Heidelberg United 14 13
12. Bentleigh Greens 14 9
13. Moreland City 14 9
14. North Geelong 14 7
NPL2 Round 15
Friday 26 May
Dandenong City – Pascoe Vale 19:45
Preston Lions v Werribee City 20:30
Brunswick Juventus – Kingston City 20:30
Saturday 27 May
Langwarrin v Northcote City 15:00
Manningham United Blues – Eastern Lions 15:00
Sunday 28 May
Western United (Y) – Brunswick City 15:00
Melbourne City (Y) – Bulleen Lions 15:00
NPL2 Table
1. Preston Lions 14 27
2. Western United (Y) 14 27
3. Eastern Lions 14 24
4. Kingston City 14 23
5. Dandenong 14 23
6. Langwarrin 14 22
7. Northcote City 14 20
8. Manningham 14 19
9. Werribee 14 19
10. Melbourne City (Y) 14 19
11. Pascoe Vale 14 17
12. Brunswick City 14 17
13. Bulleen 14 13
14. Brunswick Juventus 14 11
NPL3 Round 11
Friday 26 May
Essendon Royals – Caroline Springs George Cross 18:15
Saturday 27 May
Ballarat City – North Sunshine Eagles 15:00
Beaumaris v Geelong 15:00
Goulburn Valley Suns – Melbourne Victory (Y) 15:00
Doveton – Nunawading 15:00
Boroondara Carey Eagles – Box Hill United 15:00
NPL3 Table
1. Melbourne Victory (Y) 10 25
2. Nunawading 10 21
3. North Sunshine 10 19
4. Goulburn Suns 10 17
5. Caroline Springs 10 16
6. Boroondara 10 14
7. Geelong 10 14
8. Doveton 10 13
9. Beaumaris 10 11
10. Box Hill 10 11
11. Essendon 10 9
12. Ballarat 10 1