The NPL Victoria Men’s season is charging towards its finale, with just seven rounds left before the play-offs. Heidelberg United, or the Alexander as they’re known in the Greek Australian community, lead the pack, carving out a three-point gap over second-placed Avondale after last weekend’s results.
This week, the spotlight falls squarely on Oakleigh, where the reigning champions, Oakleigh Cannons, host a blockbuster clash that could shape the top six.
On Friday night, the Greek Australian team will face Preston Lions in a match of great importance for the standings.
Football Victoria has deemed the match high risk. In such matches, the home team is required to keep the fans of both teams in separate areas of the stadium. However, this cannot happen at Oakleigh’s stadium at the moment due to ongoing construction work on the new grandstand, so the match will be held without spectators.
Sitting fourth with 34 points, the Cannons are just ahead of Hume City (31 points), Preston Lions (29), and Dandenong City (27). A glance at the ladder shows how quickly fortunes can shift in these final rounds. A slip up for the Greek Australian side could drag them into choppy waters, while a win would all but lock in their top-six spot and inject the momentum needed for the run in.
Preston Lions, no strangers to big occasions, will roll into Oakleigh’s blue and white heartland aiming to avoid defeat. They’ve got the quality and belief to trouble any side, and the Cannons will need to banish their recent patchy form to secure the three points. A focused, disciplined performance is a must if the champions are to prove their mettle. Kick-off is set for 8:15 PM.
Earlier that evening, at 7:30 PM, league leaders Heidelberg United face a revitalised Dandenong City in Melbourne’s northwest. The Alexander are in relentless form, piling up wins and points under coach John Anastasiadis. In his second season at the helm, Anastasiadis has built a side brimming with composure and balance, and they look increasingly primed to lift the coveted NPL trophy.
Dandenong City, led by Nick Tolios, boast flair but struggle defensively, having shipped 30 goals this season—the worst record among the top eight. Heidelberg will target that soft underbelly, with an early goal likely to spark their attack and force City to open up, leaving gaps for the yellow and blacks to exploit. But as every footy fan knows, theories mean little once the whistle blows. Can Alexander take another decisive step towards the premiership?
Friday’s action doesn’t stop there. At Lakeside Stadium in Albert Park, South Melbourne Hellas host Hume City, one of the league’s most polished outfits. The Turkish Australian side are scrapping to stay in the top six, while Hellas are battling to pull clear of the relegation zone. Since coach Sinisa Cohadzic’s arrival, Hellas have found new life, with players fully aware of the stakes. They’ll need a watertight defence and clinical finishing to seize any chances against Hume’s quality. This is crunch time, can Hellas’ players show the grit to salvage a season that started on the back foot?
The Greek Australian action kicks off and wraps up on Friday. Just west of Albert Park, Port Melbourne Sharks face St Albans Saints at JL Murphy Reserve. This clash may lack the glamour of others, but it’s no less vital. For the Sharks, it’s a do or die moment. Languishing in 13th with 12 points, they’re five points behind St Albans (17 points). A loss could leave a gap too wide to bridge in the remaining rounds. Coach Maxim Gaydovskiy’s side must hit the ground running, imposing themselves from the first minute to snag a win that could prove golden in their fight to stay in the NPL. The line between survival and disaster is razor-thin—now’s the time for the Sharks to show their steel.
VPL1
A massive derby awaits Bentleigh Greens this week. On Friday night, the Greens travel to Fraser Rise to take on second placed Caroline Springs George Cross. The three points are pure gold, with victory propelling either side closer to promotion to the NPL. Coach George Katsakis will demand a sharp response after last week’s collapse, and the Greens will need to be at their best to edge this crucial clash.
Northcote City’s Iraklis face a tricky trip to Langwarrin. The hosts aren’t a frightening proposition, but they’ll give everything to stay at least three points clear of the drop zone. City must bring their A-game to leave the scenic Langwarrin with anything better than a loss.
The VPL1 action closes on Monday with an all Greek affair that’s a derby in name only. Kingston City, all but doomed to relegation, host fifth placed Brunswick City. With just 12 points, Kingston’s mathematical hopes of survival are fading fast, and their lacklustre form offers little optimism. Brunswick, meanwhile, are flying, eyeing a top six finish to cap a strong campaign.
VPL2
Box Hill United’s Pythagoras face a pivotal away day this week, travelling to Geelong to take on the local side. A win would see the Greek Australian club pull clear of the relegation zone, while a loss could plunge them back into trouble. With the stakes crystal clear, Pythagoras will step onto the pitch with one goal: avoid defeat and chase a victory that could be a game-changer.
NPL – Fixtures
Friday, 27 June
Green Gully – Altona Magic 7:30 PM
South Melbourne – Hume City 7:30 PM
Heidelberg United – Dandenong City 7:30 PM
Port Melbourne Sharks – St Albans Saints 8:15 PM
Oakleigh Cannons – Preston Lions 8:15 PM
Saturday, 28 June
Avondale – Dandenong Thunder 3PM
Monday, 30 June
Melbourne Victory – Melbourne Knights 8:15 PM
NPL – Standings
Team Matches Points
1. Heidelberg 19 47
2. Avondale 19 44
3. Dandenong Thunder 19 39
4. Oakleigh Cannons 18 34
5. Hume City 19 31
6. Preston Lions 19 29
7. Dandenong City 19 27
8. Green Gully 19 26
9. South Melbourne 18 19
10. Altona Magic 19 18
11. St Albans Saints 19 17
12. Melbourne Victory 18 15
13. Port Melbourne 18 12
14. Melbourne Knights 18 10
VPL1 – Fixtures
Friday, 27 June
Langwarrin – Northcote City 7:30 PM
Saturday, 28 June
North Sunshine Eagles – Eastern Lions 3PM
Caroline Springs George Cross – Bentleigh Greens 6PM
Melbourne Srbija – Melbourne City 6:30 PM
Bulleen Lions – Manningham United Blues 7:30 PM
Sunday, 29 June
Western United – Moreland City 4PM
Monday, 30 June
Kingston City – Brunswick City 7:30 PM
VPL1 – Standings
Team Matches Points
1. Melbourne City 18 41
2. George Cross 19 39
3. Bentleigh 19 39
4. Western United 18 32
5. Brunswick 19 31
6. Northcote 18 28
7. North Sunshine 19 27
8. Bulleen Lions 18 27
9. Melbourne Srbija 19 23
10. Manningham 19 22
11. Langwarrin 19 20
12. Eastern Lions 19 17
13. Kingston City 19 12
14. Moreland City 19 11
