After a five-month hibernation, the NPL, VPL1, and VPL2 leagues are back with a bang, and the 2025 season promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
We’ve waited 155 days for football to be back, and now we’re ready for exciting games, lots of goals, and weekends filled with the fun that only football can bring.
NPL
The clubs have undergone significant squad overhauls, injecting a healthy dose of uncertainty and excitement into the league.
The reigning champions, Cannons, are set to field a vastly different roster compared to the 2024 season. As revealed in the Aki Ionnas and John Ioannou interviews with Neos Kosmos during pre-season, head coach Chris Taylor will have a significantly higher number of new faces to integrate into his squad this season.
The multi-titled coach’s primary objective will be to maintain the team’s winning mentality and secure a second consecutive league crown at their fortress in Oakleigh.
The champions’ campaign will commence at home on Friday, February 7th, at 8:15 PM, against the formidable and title-contending Avondale.
This already highly anticipated clash has gained even more intrigue this year with Avondale acquiring two key former Cannons players, Stefano Valentini and Emlyn Wellsome. This promises to be a captivating footballing duel that will keep us on the edge of our seats. Don’t miss a minute of the action!
The match with the most pronounced Greek flavour will be between Port Melbourne and South Melbourne Hellas, also taking place on Friday evening at 8:15 PM at the picturesque Port Melbourne ground.
Port Melbourne is entering a new chapter in their history with significant changes across the entire organization of the Greek Australian club. These changes have caused some anxiety among the club’s loyal fanbase, who are witnessing the gradual erosion of the club’s “blue and white” Greek heritage.
Among the notable signings for the “Sharks” is Josh Markovski. The former prolific striker from Altona Magic is expected to spearhead the Port Melbourne attack.
Hellas have also revamped their squad. Head coach Esteban Quintas appears ready to entrust young players with greater responsibility, hoping to build a team characterized by passion and a high-octane approach to the game. George Mells has joined Lakeside Stadium to bring experience and quality to the team, assuming a leadership role both on and off the field.
However, the action for the Greek Australian teams kicks off on Thursday, February 6th, at the Tompsett Stadium, home of Melbourne Knights, where the home side will host the formidable Alexandros, coached by John Anastasiadis.
The “Yellow and Blacks” have generated immense excitement among the club’s supporters with their impressive performances during pre-season.
As revealed to Neos Kosmos by the club’s head coach, Heidelberg United has worked tirelessly in recent months to prepare for the gruelling battles that lie ahead in the coming months.
The goal for everyone within the historic club is one and the same: to play attractive, incisive football that will propel the team to the summit of Victorian football. Nothing less, nothing more.
VPL1
The second tier of Victorian football also kicks off this week.
Four Greek Australian clubs are participating in the 2025 championship, and all four will be playing at home this week.
The action begins on Friday, February 7th, at 8:00 PM. At Dunstan Reserve, Brunswick City will host the rejuvenated Eastern Lions, while half an hour later, a few kilometres to the east, Northcote City will welcome North Sunshine Eagles.
At 8.30pm Pagkyprios, will enter the fray. Bentleigh Greens will host Moreland City with the sole objective of securing a winning start to a season in which, as revealed by head coach George Katsakis, the “Greens” will be giving their all for promotion to the top tier, the NPL.
The action for the Greek Australian teams will conclude on Monday, February 10th, at 7.30pm, when Kingston City , coached by Kostas Tagkalakis, will host Melbourne SRBIJA.
The “Red and Whites” have worked incredibly hard during the summer pre-season to ensure they are competitive this season and are eager to kick off their campaign with a victory.
However, it won’t be a walk in the park, as their opponents are a strong team, brimming with ambition and possessing impressive technical abilities. They play attractive, flowing football and are expected to pose significant challenges to many teams this season.
VPL2
Only one representative of the Greek community features in the VPL2 league this year. The formidable Box Hill United will enter the fray on Friday, February 7th, at 7.30pm.
Pythagoras will host one of the league’s top teams, Eltham Redbacks. The objective, of course, is to secure a victory that will instil confidence and optimism among the club’s members for the remainder of what promises to be a fiercely competitive and exciting championship.
NPL – Schedule
Thursday, 6/2
Knights – Heidelberg United 7.30 PM
Friday, February 7/2
Port Melbourne – South Melbourne 8.15 PM
Oakleigh Cannons – Avondale FC 8.15 PM
Preston Lions – Hume City 8.30 PM
Saturday, 8/2
Dandenong Thunder – Green Gully 7.00 PM
Sunday, 9/2
Dandenong City – St Albans Saints 5.00 PM
Monday, 10/2
Melbourne Victory Reserves – Altona Magic 8.30 PM
VPL1 – Schedule
Friday, February 7/2
Brunswick City SC – Eastern Lions SC 8.00 PM
Northcote City FC – North Sunshine Eagles SC 8.30 PM
Bentleigh Greens SC – Moreland City SC 8.30 PM
Saturday, 8/2
Manningham United Blues FC – Melbourne City FC 3.15 PM
Langwarrin SC – Caroline Springs George Cross FC 7.00 PM
Monday, 10/2
Kingston City FC – FC Melbourne 7.30 PM
FC Bulleen Lions – Western United FC 8.30 PM
VPL2 – Schedule
Friday, 7/2
Box Hill United FC – Eltham Redbacks FC 7.30 PM
Brunswick Juventus FC – Nunawading City FC 8.30 PM
Whittlesea United SC – Werribee City FC 8.30 PM
Springvale White Eagles FC – Pascoe Vale FC 8.30 PM
Saturday, 8/2
Essendon Royals SC – Altona City SC 3 PM
Goulburn Valley Suns FC – Boroondara-Carey Eagles FC 6 PM
Geelong SC – North Geelong Warriors SC 8 PM
