The NPL Victoria Men’s ladder is a proper scrap at the top. Heidelberg United sit pretty at the summit, but only just, with Avondale, Dandenong Thunder, and defending champions Oakleigh Cannons breathing down their necks.
Heidelberg United head into a tricky away clash against Melbourne Victory this weekend, riding a wave of nine straight wins. John Anastasiadis’ yellow-and-blacks are steaming along like a freight train, looking every bit the title favourites. Victory are no pushovers, though—a pacey, disciplined side capable of causing an upset. But Heidelberg’s battle-hardened squad know how to handle these kinds of fixtures. Anastasiadis is unlikely to tinker with his starting XI, banking on the cohesion and consistency that have kept his side atop the table since the season’s start.
Oakleigh Cannons, sitting fourth and six points off the pace, are desperate to stay in the title hunt, hoping for slip-ups from Heidelberg, Avondale, or Thunder. Their path won’t be easy, starting with a tough gig against Green Gully on Friday. The Greens have been in top nick, proving their mettle by toppling Thunder 3–1 last week and smashing five past Avondale a fortnight ago. Those results have filled Gully’s fans with pride and optimism. Oakleigh will need to bring their A-game—focus, grit, and sacrifice—if they’re to overcome this formidable foe. It’s shaping up to be a proper battle.
Port Melbourne Sharks are buzzing after their massive derby win over South Melbourne last week and will look to build on that momentum. The victory has given the Sharks, a much-needed boost in confidence. But their next test is a daunting one: Avondale, a side capable of brilliance and chaos in equal measure. Two weeks ago, Avondale copped a 5–2 hiding from Green Gully, but they bounced back to thump Oakleigh 3–0 last round. New Sharks boss Maxim Gaydovskiy’s first task will be to keep a clean sheet, relying on a tight, compact defence to protect the sensational Romic, who earned a spot in last week’s team of the round after his heroics against South Melbourne. Up top, the Sharks will lean on star man Liston Diaz to trouble Avondale’s backline.
South Melbourne, meanwhile, are in a tailspin. The Blues are languishing second-bottom and face a must-win clash against the only team below them, Melbourne Knights. This classic Victorian derby has lost some of its usual gloss, with both sides—typically heavyweights—fighting for survival rather than silverware. South Melbourne’s margins for error have all but vanished. New gaffer Sinisa Cohadzic is battling to turn things around, but his systems seem to be falling flat, with players struggling to grasp his vision on the pitch. The Blues need a 180-degree turnaround, and they need it now. Time is running out, and another loss could see the sand in their hourglass run dry.
VPL1
The VPL1 schedule for round 15 is packed with cracking fixtures.
Pancyprios host ladder-leaders Melbourne City on Friday night, with their sights set on a win that could see them draw level at the top. The Bentleigh Greens camp is buzzing with excitement, their fans chuffed to see the club back in the spotlight, showing all the qualities needed to return to the NPL.
Leonidas will look to stay in the promotion hunt when they travel to Kevin Bartlett Reserve to face Melbourne Srbija. The Serbian-Australian outfit are a quality side, even if their ladder position doesn’t reflect it. Their class is evident on the pitch, and Brunswick City will need to be at their best to leave with three points.
Iraklis have what looks like the easiest task this round, hosting bottom-placed Moreland City on Saturday afternoon. Moreland are staring down the barrel of relegation to VPL2, with the leakiest defence in the division (39 goals conceded) and a paltry 20 scored. With a bit of focus and composure, the Northcote-based side should secure a win to keep them in the top six.
Clarinda are in dire need of points as they welcome Western United. The side led by Tagkalakis and Tsolakis are languishing in 12th, just two points clear of Moreland. Their fans are growing anxious, struggling to see light at the end of the tunnel. Every match is now a… final for the red-and-whites, who must drastically improve their form to avoid dropping to VPL2 next season.
VPL2
Pythagoras desperately need to rediscover their winning touch. Box Hill United are in a rough patch, sitting 12th with just four points separating them from the bottom. The walls are closing in, and the Greek Australian side need an immediate reaction. This weekend, they host North Geelong Warriors with victory as their sole aim—a tough but achievable goal. It’ll take seriousness, sacrifice, and focus—qualities that have been in short supply for Box Hill this season.
NPL – Schedule
Friday 23 May
Melbourne Knights – South Melbourne 7.30pm
Port Melbourne Sharks – Avondale 8.15pm
Oakleigh Cannons – Green Gully 8.15pm
Preston Lions – Dandenong City 8.30pm
Saturday 24 May
Dandenong Thunder – Hume City 7pm
Sunday 25 May
St Albans Saints – Altona Magic 3pm
Melbourne Victory – Heidelberg United 3pm
NPL – Standings
Heidelberg 14 34
Avondale 14 33
Dandenong Thunder 14 29
Oakleigh Cannons 14 28
Preston Lions 14 24
Hume City 14 23
Dandenong City 14 22
Green Gully 14 21
Altona Magic 14 14
Melbourne Victory 14 12
St Albans Saints 14 11
Port Melbourne Sharks 14 10
South Melbourne 14 9
Melbourne Knights 14 9
VPL1 – Schedule
Friday 23 May
Bentleigh Greens – Melbourne City 8.30pm
Saturday, 24 May
Manningham United Blues – Eastern Lions 3.15pm
Northcote City – Moreland City 4pm
Caroline Springs George Cross – North Sunshine Eagles 6pm
Melbourne Srbija – Brunswick City 6.30pm
Monday, 26 May
Kingston City – Western United 8.30pm
Bulleen Lions – Langwarrin 8.30pm
VPL1 – Standings
Melbourne City 14 34
Bentleigh 14 31
George Cross 14 27
Brunswick 14 25
Bulleen Lions 13 23
Northcote 14 22
Western United 13 21
North Sunshine 14 18
Manningham 14 18
Eastern Lions 14 14
Melbourne Srbija 14 11
Kingston City 14 10
Langwarrin 14 10
Moreland City 14 8
