The NPL Victoria Men’s competition is absolutely electric. The top of the table is a proper battleground. Alexander’s stunning victory over Avondale last week has tightened the race at the sharp end of the ladder, breathing new life into a season that’s shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in years.
This week, the match that’s got everyone buzzing is the massive derby between last season’s champions, Oakleigh Cannons, and a red-hot Heidelberg United.
Both sides are in cracking form, playing scintillating football, nicking wins in venues that usually send shivers down spines, and looking ready to chase down table-toppers Avondale to the ends of the earth if needed.
Expect a tight contest. Both gaffers will likely prioritise keeping a clean sheet before focusing on creating chances to nick a goal. The result will hinge on the players’ focus and how the two benches manage the game. Here’s hoping for a match that lives up to the hype and the brilliant form both teams are showing.
The other big clash this round sees high-flying Avondale take on a struggling South Melbourne Hellas. The Italian-Australian outfit are in top nick, but last week’s defeat to Alexander has caused some wobbles within the club. Their complacent showing against the “yellow-and-blacks” cost them dearly. You can bet they’ll come out swinging against Hellas, looking to dominate from the first whistle and force the Greek-Australian side into a supporting role—a role that doesn’t suit the storied legacy of the mighty South Melbourne. The odds are firmly with Avondale, but this is football, where mentality and the weight of the jersey can turn the tide. If Hellas manage an upset in what many call the toughest ground in the league, it could spark a revival and give the club a much-needed boost of optimism.
Nea Hellas, meanwhile, have a chance to climb off the bottom of the table. Port Melbourne’s side are having a rough go this season, unable to string wins together, struggling to play decent football, and feeling the pressure mount week by week. Their home clash against second-from-bottom Altona Magic couldn’t come at a better time. The hosts are desperate for points, and Magic might just be the perfect opponent right now. It won’t be a walk in the park, though—Nea Hellas will need to hit top gear to secure the precious three points that could lift them off the foot of the table.
VPL1
The 12th round of the VPL1 promises plenty of intrigue.
The action kicks off on Friday night when Brunswick City host Moreland City. This is a golden opportunity for the Brunswick lads to grab three points and stay within touching distance of the top. Moreland are having a nightmare season, with their stats painting a grim picture: in 11 matches, they’ve managed just two wins, two draws, and seven losses, scoring 15 goals while conceding a league-high 31.
Pancyprios also have a chance to stay near the summit. The “greens” are itching to get back to winning ways when they host North Sunshine Eagles on Friday night. The visitors are a tough nut to crack, having snatched a draw against one of VPL1’s top sides, Western United, last week. George Katsakis and his boys will need to play with heart and nous to avoid being caught out.
Iraklis face a daunting away trip this weekend, travelling to Manningham United Blues’ turf. The Northcote outfit will fight tooth and nail for the three points to keep them in the top six and within striking distance of ladder-leaders Melbourne City.
Kingston City, meanwhile, take on Melbourne City this week. The “red-and-whites” are in a rough patch, struggling to find the net while leaking goals left, right, and centre. The coaching duo of Tangalakis and Tsolakis are scrambling for solutions to their side’s poor form, but the problems keep piling up. Facing the table-toppers will be a proper test, but a positive result could turn their season around. It’s a tall order, but not impossible.
VPL2
Pythagoras will be gunning to get back on track this week. The Box Hill side are in a bit of a rut, and a win against Boroondara Carey Eagles could be just the tonic they need. With the right result, they could even climb as high as eighth. That’d be a dream scenario for a Box Hill side that’s been languishing in the lower reaches of the table through the first 11 rounds, much to the frustration of their fans.
NPL – Fixture
Friday 2 May
Port Melbourne Sharks – Altona Magic 8.15pm
Oakleigh Cannons – Heidelberg United 8.15pm
Preston Lions – Green Gully 8.30pm
Saturday 3 May
Avondale – South Melbourne 3pm
Dandenong Thunder – St Albans Saints – 7pm
Melbourne Knights – Dandenong City – 3pm
Monday 5 May
Melbourne Victory – Hume City 8pm
NPL – Table
1. Avondale 11 27
2. Heidelberg Utd 11 25
3. Oakleigh Cannons 11 25
4. Dand Thunder 11 25
5. Preston Lions 11 18
6. Hume City 11 17
7. Green Gully 11 15
8. Dand City 11 13
9. Mel Victory NPL 11 12
10. St. Albans 11 10
11. South Melbourne 11 9
12. Melb Knights 11 9
13. Altona Magic 11 7
14. Port Melb Sharks 11 6
VPL1 – Fixture
Friday 2 May
Brunswick City – Moreland City 8pm
Bentleigh Greens – North Sunshine Eagles 8.30pm
Saturday 3 May
Manningham United Blues -Northcote City 3.15pm
Langwarrin – Western United 5.30pm
Caroline Springs George Cross – Melbourne SRBIJA 6pm
Monday 5 May
Kingston City – Melbourne City 8.30pm
Bulleen Lions – Eastern Lions 8.30pm
VPL1 – Table
1. Melb City 11 27
2. Bentl Greens 11 22
3. Western Utd 11 21
4. Northcote 11 21
5. Bulleen Lions 11 20
6. Brunswick City 11 19
7. Carol Springs 11 18
8. Manningham 11 13
9. North Sunshine 11 12
10. Kingston 11 10
11. Melbourne SRBIJA 11 8
12. Moreland 11 8
13. Eastern Lions 11 8
14. Langwarrin 11 7
