Check out all the ins and outs and stars players at every NPL Victoria club
The NPL Victoria season is officially underway. Check out all the ins and outs and star players at every club. Plus, our premiership predictions for the NPL and VPL seasons.
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The NPL Victoria season is officially here.
Clubs have been busy, busy, busy putting the finishing touches on their 2025 squads.
Check out all the ins and outs at every club.
Plus, the star players to watch and our predictions for the NPL and VPL premierships.
ALTONA MAGIC
Last season: 8th (10-3-13, -7)
Coach: Goran Lozanovski (second season)
Ins: Dejan Bakrdanikoski (Sydney United, NSW), Hiyori Kawaguchi (Northern Tigers, NSW), Chris Theodorakopoulos (Moreland City), Ilia Shalamanov-Trenkova (Port Melbourne), Gildas Gomwikezwa (Adelaide Raiders, SA), Conor O’Keefe , Bilal Habib (Heidelberg United), George Tsitsinaris (South Melbourne), Taofiq Olomowewe (Box Hill United), Anthony Frangie (Hills United, NSW), Sallu Kamara (MetroStars, SA)
Outs: Bul Juach (Heidelberg United), Steve Lawless (Melbourne Knights), Aaron O’Driscoll (Manly United, NSW), Jordan Dellidis (Manningham United), Ben Ratajczak (Sorrento, WA), Daniel Di Francesco, Darcy Anastovski, Hayden Browne (Manningham United), Ismail Haji (Bentleigh Greens), Jawad Rezai (Marconi, NSW), Nathan Liberto, Nedim Skenderevic (Whittlesea United), Nuh Sehavdic (Rosengard, Sweden)
Star Player: Saad Moukachar
Arrived at Paisley Park after winning a championship in Croatia and immediately became a key weapon in midfield. The 22-year-old played all 26 matches for the Magic last season, scored a couple of goal and set-up plenty more. If Altona is to challenge for a top-six berth, the South Australian will have made a strong contribution.
Prediction: Tipped to be among the relegation contenders last year as Goran Lozanovski rebuilt the squad but the former Socceroo worked his magic and the Magic only just missed out on a finals appearance. There has been a fair bit of player turnover again at Paisley Park but Lozanovski believes the squad is improved on last season, despite leading goalscorer Bul Juach’s defection. George Tsitsinaris, Bilal Habib, Chris Theodorakopoulos and Iliya Trenkov are all quality additions. A safe bet for a safe mid-table finish: Finish: 11th
AVONDALE
Last season: 2nd (16-6-4, +36), preliminary final
Coach: Zoran Markovski (seventh season)
Ins: Stefan Valentini (Oakleigh), Manyluak Aguek (Balzan, Malta), Luca Tevere (Green Gully), Emlyn Wellsmore (Oakleigh)
Outs: Dillon Jakupi (injury), George Mells (South Melbourne), Liston Diaz (Port Melbourne), Sebastian Vargas
Star Player: Yitay Towns
Zoran Markovski’s Mr Fix-It, if there’s a position that needs to be filled and a big moment to be won, Towns is usually the man Avondale turn to deliver. Doesn’t do anything fancy but is always getting a toe in for an important tackle or making the key pass to spring the Avengers attack.
Prediction: Can Avondale return to the NPL Victoria summit? There’s no doubt the club will again be serious contenders on a range of fronts. After breaking records in 2023, the Avengers were again the NPL’s top attack last year and only look stronger with the addition of Luca Tevere and Emlyn Wellsmore and the return of Stef Valentini and Manny Aguek. The question is whether the defence can hold up against the top sides. A fully fit Matt Reid is a big boost. Finish: 3rd
DANDENONG CITY
Last season: 6th (11-4-11, -1), elimination final
Coach: Nick Tolios (third season)
Ins: Pierce Clark (Dandenong Thunder), John Honos, Corey Sewell (Melbourne Knights), Mathew Giofkou, Shoaib Hussaini, Jamie Latham (Green Gully), Yagoub Mustafa (Wollongong Wolves, NSW), Nathaniel Hancock (South Melbourne), Diego Cuba (Moreland City), Gaku Inaba (Zweigen Kanazawa, Japan), Jordan Gasim (Port Melbourne), Taylan Unal (Melbourne City)
Outs: Brady Quinn, Daniel Iaconis, James Xydias (St Albans), John Hall (Adelaide City, SA), Luke Saunders, Michael Martinovic (Bentleigh Greens), Seb Hernando (Bulleen Lions), Stefan Brecevic (Melbourne Knights)
Star Player: Tim Atherinos
Arguably the NPL Young Player of the Season last year, the Melbourne Victory Academy graduate burst onto the scene with seven goals in 24 appearances. Several of those goals were Goal of the Year nomination-worthy strikes too. Not just a goal threat, the 22-year-old is busy in midfield and will again be a key part of City’s finals hopes.
Prediction: A terrific campaign saw City go from VPL1 premier to playing NPL finals in its first season back. Can Dandy back it up? The squad has only got stronger with the likes of Diego Cuba, Pierce Clark and Japanese defender Gaku Inaba coming on board. Dandy will look to young midfielders Tim Atherinos and Tom Giannakopoulos to repeat their breakout performances from last season but will need more from their forwards with Kenny Athiu the club’s leading goalscorer last season with eight goals. Finish: 8th
DANDENONG THUNDER
Last season: 10th (8-4-14, -22)
Coach: Adam Piddick (second season)
Ins: Jamie Young (Melbourne City, A-League), Thijis Van Amerongen (DOVO, Netherlands), Lirim Elmazi (South Melbourne), Kyle Taylor (Exeter City, England), Yuki Uchida (Northcote City), Hassan Jalloh (Grindavík, Iceland), Daniel Clark, Mitchell Rooke (Bentleigh Greens)
Outs: Birkan Kirdar (Hume City), Daniel Dixon, Jordan Smylie, Joseph Romero, Josh Karantz (Melbourne Knights), Luke Anticev, Pierce Clark (Dandenong City)
Star Player: Jamie Young
A massive recruiting coup for Thunder, securing the former England youth international goalkeeper and A-League Goalkeeper of the Year winner on the eve of the season. Young announced his retirement after 198 A-League matches and will slot straight in between the posts for Thunder.
Prediction: Adam Piddick had just two weeks to prepare Thunder for last season and the club finished a respectable 10th. This time around he’s had a full summer and is confident the club can push up the ladder and even challenge for finals. The addition of A-League Goalkeeper of the Year Jamie Young on the eve of the season is a god-send, while Yuki Uchida, Lirim Elmazi, English import Kyle Taylor and Dutchman Thijs van Amerongen are all good additions. However, the attack remains an issue. The Thunder’s was the 14th ranked attack last season with Wade Dekker’s seven goals the most. Finish: 10th
GREEN GULLY
Last season: 12th (6-6-14, -19)
Coach: David Chick (first season)
Ins: Karl Imanzi (Hume City), Lawrence Caruso (Western Sydney Wanderers, A-League), Paul Hodges (Basingstoke, England), Jacob Elipoulos (Oakleigh), Joe McGlynn (Hamilton Academical, Scotland), Scott Lochhead (Bentleigh Greens), Aamir Abdallah (Hume City), Deklan Wynne (Port Vale, England), Maurice Nugent (Galway United, Ireland), Riley Byrn (Benfica, Portugal), Judd McDougall (Perth, WA)
Outs: Adolph Koudakpo (Police Tero, Thailand), Dalibor Markovic (Heidelberg United), Emmanuel Peters (St Albans), Jae Ciarma (Northcote City), Jamie Latham (Dandenong City), Luca Tevere (Avondale), Mo Adam (Al Sadaqa, Libya), Reef Murfet (Brunswick Juventus), Taylor Schrijvers, Thierry Iradukunda (Northcote City)
Star Player: Aamir Abdullah
Produced arguably a career-best season in 2024 with Hume City, scoring 14 goals and going on to win his first NPL Victoria Gold Medal as the league best-and-fairest. Follows coach David Chick to Gully Reserve and will be looking to repeat those heroics this season to help the Cavalier back up the table.
Prediction: Under David Chick Hume City enjoyed a terrific season. Green Gully hopes the new coach can bring that success to McCrae Boulevard. The Cavaliers finished 12th last season with Josh Hope the leading scorer with six, so fixing the attack will be critical. Securing Gold Medallist Aamir Abdullah and English striker Joe McGlynn is certainly a big boost. New captains Maurice Nugent and Jacob Eliopoulos as well as New Zealand international Deklan Wynne bolster the defence. Finish: 5th
HEIDELBERG UNITED
Last season: 4th (14-9-3, +25), elimination final
Coach: John Anastasiadis (second season)
Ins: Eoghan Stokes (Port Melbourne), Ryan Lethan (Brisbane Roar NPL, Queensland), Bul Juach (Altona Magic), Jay McGowan (Sutherland Sharks, NSW), Chok Dau (Preston Lions), Dalibor Markovic (Green Gully), Max Bisetto (Oakleigh), Peter Klaassen (Hume City), Fletcher Fulton (Moreland City)
Outs: Adrian Zahra (Bentleigh Greens), Deion Nikolaidis (Melbourne Knights), Dominic Falla (Northcote City), Eoin Ashton (Northcote City), Josh Pin (retired), Kaine Sheppard (Melbourne Knights), Leo Mazis (Melbourne Knights), Nick Olsen (Wollongong Wolves, NSW), Sean Ellis (retired)
Star Player: Ben Collins
Extra responsibility has fallen on the shoulders of the gun centre-back. He becomes even more important to the Warriors hopes after Ajdin Fetahagic sustained a knee injury in December, which also saw the captaincy armband pass to him. Was a rock at the back in 2024, helping United concede just 21 goals, second fewest in the competition, while also scoring some timely goals himself.
Prediction: The Warriors lost three warriors as Sean Ellis, Adrian Zahra and Kaine Sheppard all departed over the summer and then new captain Ajdin Fetahagic did his knee in December. Heidelberg’s resolve and depth will be tested this season but it has the quality to remain a finals contender after acquiring the likes of Bul Juach, Max Bisetto and Eoghan Stokes, while Sebit Ngor returns on loan from Central Coast Mariners. Finish: 6th
HUME CITY
Last season: 5th (15-5-6, +21), semi-final
Coach: Riccardo Marchioli (first season)
Ins: Yasir Ahmed, Joseph Forde, Aisen Ishak, Erdeniz Yildiz, Aaron Reardon, Birkan Kirdar (Dandenong Thunder), Oliver Kelaart, Godfrey Debele, Michael Domfeh (Northcote City), Joel Russell, Kaylin Acar
Outs: Aamir Abdullah (Green Gully), Eren Arslan, Fletcher McFarlane (St Albans), Jacson Riley (St Albans), Josh Gulevski (St Albans), Marcus Aiello, Lachlan Weier, Mickael Platt (St Albans), Oscar Karlsson, Umut Bozdugan
Star Player: Lloyd Isgrove
Has lost his running mate, Aamir Abdullah, but will have plenty of new friends to play off this season. The Welsh international led Hume with 15 goals last season and will be asked to led the line again in 2025. How he didn’t win NPL Goal of the Year for his stunning bicycle kick continues to boggle the mind.
Prediction: A magnificent season last year, NPL Victoria and Dockerty Cup semi-finals and Australia Cup quarter-final. However, there’s been a change of coach over summer and Gold Medal winner Aamir Abdullah has departed. Critically, Lloyd Isgrove and Josh Bingham remain, while Australia Under-23 defender Joseph Forde and English striker Rob Harker have come on board. Can Hume remain a finals contender? Can it take another step forward and be a trophy-winning threat? Finish: 7th
MELBOURNE KNIGHTS
Last season: 7th (10-5-11, +6)
Coach: Ivan Franjic (second season)
Ins: Miguel Cunha, Kaine Sheppard (Heidelberg United), Leo Mazis (Heidelberg United), Josh Karantz (Dandenong Thunder), Masatou Chiba, Alex Hird (Western United), Gabriel Matti, Deion Nikolaidis (Heidelberg United), Stephan Lawless (Altona Magic), Ben Maslac, Patrik Musura, Matthew Stefenac, Stefan Brecevic (Dandenong City), Fraser Dunlop (Port Melbourne), Marc Petheriotis (Melbourne Victory)
Outs: Ivan Franjic (retired), Corey Sewell (Dandenong City), Felipe Sanchez, Gian Albano (Preston Lions), Jakeb Wiseman, John Mabok, Mitch Hore, Mo Sumaoro, Saif-Eddine Sakhi
Star Player: Ciaran Bramwell
All eyes will be on big-name recruit Kaine Sheppard, which could work in Bramwell’s favour. After 13 goals last season, the reliable striker will be looking to maintain that consistency regardless. Bramwell and Sheppard form one of the top one-two combinations in the NPL.
Prediction: After a difficult start last season, Ivan Franjic managed to turn the Knights’ season around and they fell just short of a finals berth. With a full pre-season under his belt as full-time manager, the Knights are well placed to continue that momentum and contend for a top-six berth. Kaine Sheppard’s arrival is a significant boost to the attack, while midfielders Leo Mazis, Steve Lawless and defender Miguel Cunha are also shrewd additions. Finish: 9th
MELBOURNE VICTORY
Last season: VPL 1 champion (15-7-4, +27)
Coach: Boris Seroshtan (first season)
Ins: Oskar Von Schrenk, Nikolas Cevizovic, Phin Harbinson, James Lackay, Anastasios Georgakopoulos, Parker Williams, Tobenna Obani
Outs: Anthony Duratovic (Oakleigh), Alexander Kapaklis (Eastern Lions), Dimitri Palatsides, Marc Petheriotis (Melbourne Knights), Matthew Bozinovski (Preston Lions), Victor Muhindo (Western United)
Star Player: Jordan & Jesse Hoey
The brothers have represented Australia at youth international level and have got a taste of A-League life at Victory. The pair played key roles in the academy team’s VPL1 premiership last season, Jesse playing 21 games and scoring eight goals, while Jordan was restricted to 12 appearances, while also scoring five goals in the under-20s. The pair will again be key figures for the club with their dash and creativity.
Prediction: Hard to say what the Victory can achieve in their return to the top flight for the first time since 2016. The A-League club’s academy was relegated in its first season, winning just three games. The volatile nature of the academy squad can be a tricky issue but Victory have plenty of talent coming through with the under-20s placing third in the VPL1 Under-23 competition and the under-18s winning the championship. Can young talent compete with hardened senior footballers? Finish: 14th
OAKLEIGH CANNONS
Last season: 3rd (16-5-5, +25), champions
Coach: Chris Taylor (eighth season)
Ins: Harry Arnison, Campbell Strong, Ajak Deu, Matt Dench, Joe Knowles, Adem Duratovic (Melbourne Victory), Lachlan Hart, Christos Babatsias, Dimitrios Zarkadas
Outs: Brendan White, Emlyn Wellsmore (Avondale), Hamish Millar, Jacob Eliopoulos (Green Gully), Max Bisetto (Heidelberg United), Moonib Adus, Oliver Kubilay (Preston Lions), Stef Valentini (Avondale)
Star Player: Joe Guest
So much of Oakleigh’s play goes through the captain in midfield. Finished with 13 goals in the league and probably as many assists to help the Cannons claim a second NPL championship in three years and reach the Dockerty Cup final and Australia Cup quarter-final. The load will be lessened somewhat with the return of Joe Knowles but he remains one of the top stars of the NPL.
Prediction: After claiming a second championship in three seasons, not to mention reaching the Dockerty Cup final and Australia Cup quarter-final, Cannons will be targeting a first premiership since 2006 this season and have made some big additions, most notably 2022 Gold Medallist Joe Knowles. Charlton Athletic junior Matt Dench and Melbourne Victory VPL1-premiership winning captain Adem Duratovic are also on board. The club is in a better place than after its 2022 championship and should be a major contender. Finish: 2nd
PORT MELBOURNE
Last season: 9th (9-6-11, -11)
Coach: John Markovski (first season)
Ins: Alex Kondoleon (Moreland City), Lachlan Bogoevski, Josh Markovski, Liston Diaz (Avondale), Nicholas Dib (), Delarno Pharoe, Ben Kulesza, Daniel Serra, Mitchell Tracjevski, Nikita Cicmil, Jonathan Vakirtzis, Christos Melas, Riade Mouyette, Owen McColskey, Luka Romic, Nathan Dib (Preston Lions), Tom Alisandratos, Anthony Leban
Outs: Alex Baker, Andrew Mesourouni (South Melbourne), Atticus Gonzalez, Charlie Leech (South Melbourne), Dane Milovanovic, Eoghan Stokes (Heidelberg United), Evan Markogiannakis, Fraser Dunlop (Melbourne Knights), Illya Shalamonov-Trenkova (Altona Magic), Kristian Bombaci, Nathaniel Hancock (Dandenong City)
Star Player: Liston Diaz
Has clearly made a big impression at Murphy Reserve having signed from Avondale, earning the Sharks’ captain’s armband for 2025. Played mainly off the bench for the Avengers, scoring four goals last season, but will relish the opportunity to play full games and work his magic down the wing or up front at Port.
Prediction: Everything looked to be heading in the right direction last year before a late-season collapse saw the Sharks miss finals. The club won just one of its final 11 games. Port has installed ex-Socceroo John Markovski to try and turn the club around but he faces a mammoth task after a player exodus. Markovski has a record of rebuilding clubs and keeping them competitive so the Sharks will hope they can remain in the top flight. Finish: 13th
PRESTON LIONS
Last season: VPL1 runner-up, promotion (15-5-6, +14)
Coach: Louis Acevski (ninth season)
Ins: Lucas Trenkovski, Stefan Nigro (Melbourne Victory, A-League), Mihail Lazarovski, Joseph Ognenovski, Jackson Necovski, Matthew Bozinovski (Melbourne Victory, A-League), Oliver Kubilay (Oakleigh), Lleyton Brooks, Gian Albano (Melbourne Knights), Jason Romero, Alexander Guy, Jonas Markovski (Brisbane Roar, A-League), Noah Spaseski, Emile Peios (South Melbourne)
Outs: Alec Mills, Ben Lyvidikos, Cbok Dau (Heidelberg United), Delarno Pharoe, Domenic Folino, Luke Oresti, Matthew Symes, Matt Whelan, Nathan Dib, Wes Jobello, Will Baynham, William Sparrow
Star Player: Jonas Markovski
Too much to say, the biggest recruit of the off-season? Markovski won the 2023 NPL Victoria Golden Boot with Altona Magic before going off to A-League outfit Brisbane Roar. He returns to the competition as arguably the headline act in Preston’s attack as the ambitious club looks to make a big splash in its return to the top-flight.
Prediction: Publicly the Lions say they just want to be competitive in their return to NPL level for the first time since 2009. Internally, the club is confident it can make a serious push to play finals and perhaps even more. There’s little doubt Preston was the most active NPL club on the recruiting front this summer, adding the likes of 2023 NPL Golden Boot Jonas Markovski, Stefan Nigro, Matthew Bozinovski, Zander Guy, Oliver Kubilay, Gian Albano and Emile Peios. The improved depth bodes well as the club looks to make its mark at NPL level and then push into the National Second Division competition. Finish: 4th
SOUTH MELBOURNE
Last season: Premier (19-3-4, +33), grand finalist
Coach: Esteban Quintas (seventh season)
Ins: Jonathan Pithoulas, Andrew Mesourouni (Port Melbourne), Gustav Moller, Campbell Dovison, Luca Durso, Lucas Eliopoulos, Charlie Leech (Port Melbourne), George Mells (Avondale)
Outs: Emile Peios (Preston Lions), George Tsitsinaris (Altona Magic), Harrison Sawyer (Macarthur, A-League), Mario Barcia, Will Lejeune, Zak Spiteri
Star Player: Javi Lopez
The Argentine goalkeeper claimed a hat-trick of NPL Golden Glove awards last year, backstopping South to the league premiership, a grand final, Dockerty Cup title and Australia Cup semi-final. While Lopez missed a few games, Hellas only conceded 20 goals, the fewest in the competition and kept 14 clean sheets.
Prediction: Has already started 2025 with silverware, winning the Community Shield and appears to be the team to beat again in 2025. However, it will be difficult to back up a season that saw Hellas claim the NPL premiership and Dockerty Cup and fall just short of a championship, while also reaching the Australia Cup semi-finals. Losing captain and Golden Boot winner Harrison Sawyer is a massive blow but South has recruited strongly, adding the likes of Charlie Leech, George Mells, Campbell Dovison and Danish striker Gustav Moller. Finish: 1st
ST ALBANS
Last season: 11th (8-1-17, -24)
Coach: Cam Watson (second season)
Ins: John Maglaras, Fletcher McFarlane (Hume City), Mikel Platt (Hume City), Jacson Riley (Hume City), Emmanuel Peters (Green Gully), James Xydias, Alec Mills (Preston Lions), Josh Gulevski (Hume City), Anton Bilic, Gideon Arok
Outs: Alan Gerez, Adam Hodor, Carter Ramsay, Chris Dib, Ivan Razumic, Jacob Sauverain, James Riccobene, Jasmin Keranovic, Josh Fowler, Leigh Broxham (Bentleigh Greens), Nelson Tshongo, Scott Bakkor
Star Player: Lucas Byrns
Scored a remarkable four goals in seven games late last season, including a hat-trick against Green Gully, after shifting from Port Melbourne. It helped lift the Saints up the ladder and out of relegation trouble. The 21-year-old will be looking to carry on that momentum into 2025.
Prediction: Cam Watson helped resurrect St Albans’ season last year, leading the club out of the relegation battle with a late-season surge that saw it win five games on the trot before going down to premier South Melbourne in the last game of the season. Late addition Mickael Platt and Emmanuel Peters bolster the Saints’ attack, while Jacson Riley is a reliable goalkeeper. If the club can hit 2025 with the same momentum it finished 2024 with, it should be fine, but depth could be an issue. Finish: 12th
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