Check out all the weekend’s NPL and VPL highlights as the season comes to a close

TALKING POINTS: Preston Lions’ 15-year top-flight absence is over in final day drama, Ivan Franjic goes out a winner and the David Beckham-esque wonder goal.

Preston Lions celebrate promotion to NPL. Picture: Matt Johnson

That’s a wrap on the NPL and VPL seasons for 2024.

Congratulations to South Melbourne, Melbourne Victory and FC Melbourne on winning the premierships.

Preston Lions and North Sunshine Eagles are also celebrating after earning promotions, while we gear up for NPL finals this weekend.

There were plenty of highlights on a drama-filled final day of the season.

Plus, we were treated to some of the best goals of the year.

STEPPING UP

Preston Lions is back in the top flight for the first time since 2009. The Victorian powerhouse will return to the state’s top flight after securing promotion from VPL1 with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Langwarrin. The Lions’ 15-year absence has seen them drop as low as State League 1 before storming back up the pyramid in recent years. Preston claimed the State League 1 North-West title in 2019 and followed it up with a VPL2 premiership in 2022. After finishing eighth last season, the Lions earned a third promotion in four completed seasons to return to the NPL. The successful campaign played out amid the National Second Division’s announcement and now delay and doubt.

Langwarrin took an early lead at Lawton Park, Archie McPhee heading home in the 14th minute. However, Preston was soon back level as Connor Bell pounced in the 30th minute. James Burgess had made a terrific stop to deny Giorgio Serdenes but the rebound fell perfectly to Bell’s feet. Then the Lions were in front just before half-time as Brandon Lauton headed home from close range. Langwarrin laid siege to the Lions’ goal in the final minutes but couldn’t find an equaliser. Instead, it was the visitors that broke out and sealed victory. Chok Dau charged down the left wing and found Bell all alone for the simplest of tap ins in the 96th minute, sparking wild celebrations on and off the pitch.

Premiership-winning coach Louis Acevski said it was the culmination of a plan started eight years ago. “Eight years ago we started a journey, we’ve got the club back to where it deserves,” he told club media. “It means a whole lot, we’re surrounded by good people, they’ve become good mates, so today means everything. “I keep saying it’s only the beginning for us, we’re going to keep growing and getting better at the things we do. “We spoke about the commitment and the sacrifice, some (players) from overseas, some from interstate and missing families. “They should all be super proud of their efforts and I’m hoping we’ll be together again and go again.”

In a nervous finish, the win proved decisive as Preston finished one point ahead of Western United for the final promotion place. The Lions will join Melbourne Victory in stepping up to NPL in 2025. Moreland City and Manningham United will be relegation back to VPL1. North Geelong and Werribee City will step back to VPL2 with FC Melbourne and North Sunshine Eagles moving up. Beaumaris and Doveton have been relegated back to State League 1.

80:21: GOAL! Moreland City score to make it DTFC 3 : MCFC 4.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/98KKE83nVl

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) August 18, 2024

GOAL OF THE WEEK

It’s the final week of the season and we have been treated to a host of sublime goals. We’re counting as many as six nomination worthy strikes, which is incredible. Brian Summerskill’s long-range bullet for St Albans against South Melbourne was a cracker but doesn’t crack the top-five. Kristian Trajceski launched a similar long-range rocket, the first of his nominations. Then there’s last week’s Goal of the Week winner Danny Dixon with a super free kick from outside the area, curling it over the wall and in. Now for the podium. A regular contender, Lloyd Isgrove’s surging run, dribbling through four Oakleigh defenders earns third. For sheer class and technique, Trajceski’s first time volley against Port Melbourne takes second. And the winner is … how can we go past Chris Theodorakopoulos’ audacious, half-pitch wonder-goal for Moreland City. From the edge of the centre circle, the gun forward caught the Thunder keeper napping and secured his hat-trick in style.

63:31: GOAL! Avondale FC score to make it PMSC 0 : AVFC 3.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/OmPYiCKKck

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) August 18, 2024

MORELAND OUT ON A HIGH

It might have been relegated but Moreland City bowed out big winners on Sunday. A stunning come-from-behind 5-3 win over Dandenong Thunder at George Andrews Reserve the perfect sign off. It’s the first time the Moreland has scored five goals in a game in its two-year stay in the NPL and second time it’s knocked off the Thunder this season, having thrashed them 4-0 at CB Smith Reserve. The Thunder looked to be cruising, up 3-1 at half-time, before City stormed home. Goal of the Week winner Daniel Dixon opened the scoring in the 22nd minute but Moreland equalised through Chris Theodorakopoulos in the 34th. Two goals in four minutes from Tom Dunn and Muamet Selimovski made it 3-1 at half-time. Moreland’s comeback began with Theodorakopoulos scoring his second, from the penalty spot, in the 65th minute and the visitors were level in the 79th as Apai Ukuno swept home Kasra Karamad’s cross. Theodorakopoulos’ completed his hat-trick – and put City in front – in the most stunning fashion. Turning the ball over in midfield, he launched an audacious shot from the centre circle, catching Thunder keeper Antonie van Riet off his line, and into the back of the net. Diego Cuba then made it two goals in five minutes, almost scoring an Olympico – van Riet again caught out of position – but Michael Tzoutzidis tapped it home to complete an eight-goal thriller.

BUT IT’S THE END FOR OSTOJIC

Moreland City will be looking for a new coach for its return to VPL1. The club confirmed on Sunday that David Ostojic would be stepping down after a year-and-a-half at the helm. Ostojic took over from Adrian Mathers mid-season last year and guided the club to safety by a single point. However, the club could not avoid the dreaded drop this year. Moreland City heaped praise on the long-time servant and thanked him for his dedication. “Dave decided, very much on his own terms, that it was time to move on from the senior role,” a club statement read. “Whilst it is the end of a chapter, the loyal and long-standing relationships remain very much intact. “We recognise and admire Dave’s contribution over two decades in a number of different roles culminating in him playing a massive role in the club’s championship in 2022 and becoming senior head coach in 2023. “When Dave informed his players and the club he would not be continuing as coach next season it was the end of an era but our man moves on with the respect of all at the club.” We say ‘moves on’ not ‘leaves’ as he will always be part of the rich history of our 109-year-old club.”

KNIGHTS SEND FRANJIC OUT A WINNER

Melbourne Knights couldn’t get the job done in Ivan Franjic’s last game at Knights Stadium but they did send the former Socceroo and club legend out a winner on Sunday. Franjic hangs up the boots after a storied career that saw him win three A-League premierships and championships, earn 20 Socceroos caps and win an Asian Cup. Facing Green Gully at Gully Reserve, the Knights claimed a comfortable 3-0 win to finish the season on a high, placing seventh. In a rare foray forward, Tom Woerndl opening the scoring in the 15th minute with his first goal of the season, pouncing on a deflection as the ball bounced around the area. Ciaran Bramwell made it two on the half-hour mark, making a run from the centre line, dribbling into the area and finishing with aplomb. Woerndl then turned provider in the 63rd minute, his cut-back teeing up Jack Morton for his first of the campaign and wrap up victory.

MAGIC SIX AND BLUES OUT

For the second time this season Altona Magic have piled on six goals in a match. A Daniel Fabrizio hat-trick fuelled the Magic’s 6-2 romp against Manningham United at Paisley Park. The result, sadly, does leave the Blues facing relegation unless the National Second Division gets up and saves them. Manningham actually took an early lead as Ioannis Georgopoulos found the back of the net in the eighth minute. However, the lead didn’t last long. A superb Gavin Tasevski through ball found Fabrizio to score in the 17th minute and 30 seconds later, Darcy Anastovski punished a turnover from the restart, was gifted a goal by a horror Hayden Browne fumble. Fabrizio made it three with his second, a delightful curling effort, in the 36th. Ben Everson showed off his class with a great turn and strike before half-time to keep Manningham in the game. The goal his 14th of the season, third most in the competition. Fabrizio completed his hat-trick 52nd minute before Aaron O’Driscoll (72nd) and Bul Juach (83rd) put a bow on the game. Juach’s strike was also his 14th of the campaign.

59:49: GOAL! Hume City score to make it OCFC 3 : HCFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/h6s3fuVIqL#NPLMVICpic.twitter.com/QUH1IGz0oR

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) August 18, 2024

FINALS READY

The NPL top-six is locked in. South Melbourne and Avondale will have a first-week bye, while Oakleigh Cannons will host Dandenong City and Heidelberg United will welcome Hume City in elimination finals. The Avengers secured a top-two finish with a 4-0 win over Port Melbourne, Kur Kur and Kristian Trajceski both scoring braces. Meanwhile, in an early taste of finals, Oakleigh topped Hume 3-1 to lock and Heidelberg was too good for Dandenong City 3-0. Cannons ace Alex Salmon scored his 15th and 16th goals to claim a share of the NPL Golden Boot, alongside Harrison Sawyer, while Lloyd Isgrove scored his 14th of the campaign for Hume, ranked equal third.

GEORGIES FINISH STRONG

After back-to-back premierships and promotions, the good times had to end some time at Caroline Springs George Cross. The traditional footballing power finished its VPL1 campaign in seventh with a 10-6-10 record. On Saturday, the Georgies finished the year in style with a 5-0 thumping of Kingston City at City Vista. Joseph Ridley scored a brace and Seb Hernando, Riki Hosoai and Tyler James all found the back of the net in the win. The result was the latest in a strong finish to the year which saw them win or draw eight of the last nine games. Caroline Springs scored memorable wins over the likes of premier Melbourne Victory, promotion-winner Preston Lions, third-placed Western United and Bentleigh Greens. Expect the ambitious club to be eyeing a return to the NPL next year.

UNITED CRASHES VICTORY PARTY

It was Melbourne Victory’s premiership party but A-League academy rival Western United spoiled the celebrations with a 4-2 win on Saturday. Oliver Lavale and Jake Najdovski had given Western an early two-goal lead before Tommaso Minutoli and Jack Mihailidis pegged it back to 2-2 at half-time. However, it was all Western in the second half as Abel Walatee and late substitute Mark Leonard secured the three points. However, with Preston Lions’ win, it wasn’t enough to secure promotion with Western finishing third for the second year in a row.

SRBIJA CROWNED

It doesn’t matter how it happened, FC Melbourne is VPL2 premier. Srbija made it back-to-back titles, and three trophies in four seasons, in a dramatic season finale. Despite a 3-0 defeat to Essendon Royals on Saturday, FC Melbourne were crowned champions after rival North Sunshine Eagles were held to a shock 4-4 draw by Goulburn Valley Suns. It finishes two points clear on top of the ladder having already secured promotion to VPL1 with four games in hand. The club’s dream season isn’t over either with an Australia Cup Round of 16 clash against Hume City to come next Tuesday, August 27.

SUNS HOLD EAGLES

Srbija might want to send a bottle of champagne from its celebrations up to Shepparton after the Goulburn Valley did them a massive favour. North Sunshine needed a win to keep the pressure on – and as it turned out, win the premiership – but were held to a 4-4 draw by the Suns, amazingly, for the second time this season. GV will actually be ruing a missed chance at victory having held a 3-0 lead at half-time and 4-2 advantage late in the game. Callum Schorah scored twice to wrap up the VPL2 golden boot, while Russell Currie and Hassan Alhilfi also found the back of the net. Abdalla Okud and Nick Epifano struck within minutes of each other to get North Sunshine back in the match before Currie restored the Suns’ two-goal buffer. Just as it looked like the hosts were heading for a winning finish, Ndue Mujeci produced late, late fireworks. The Albanian striker scored in the 92nd and 94th minutes to snatch a share of the points. It wasn’t enough for the Eagles to claim the premiership but it was enough for the Suns to secure its place in VPL2 for 2025. Goulburn Valley also celebrated a history-making VPL2 Under-23 title.

ALTONA MAKES CASE FOR 2025

Altona City’s first VPL2 campaign ultimately came up short of promotion but was still hugely successful. The State League 1 North-West premier made a seamless step up this season despite playing the majority of the year without a home ground. A strong 3-0 win over Nunawading City secured it third place, three points outside promotion. Jayson Ziro, Jordan Lam and Breckan Baker all found the back of the net to finish the season on a high. The strong finish will see City enter next year as one of the favourites for promotion, following North Sunshine’s promotion after finishing third in 2023. A full pre-season and season with a home ground will no doubt be a significant boost.

SHARKS FINISH ON A HIGH

Sadly, Beaumaris will be relegated back to State League 1 in 2025 but the Sharks bid farewell to 2024 with a win. Second-half substitute Michael Nobbs was the hero, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Box Hill at Wembley Park on Saturday. The victory was Beaumaris’ third of a difficult campaign that saw it collect just 12 points from 22 matches. The Sharks spent two seasons in the state’s third tier after winning the State League 1 South-East premiership in 2022. Provided two clubs go down this season, Doveton will also be relegated after a final day loss to Pascoe Vale.

WHO’S COMING UP?

With three games remaining, a final look at the club’s on course for promotion out of the State Leagues. In the North-West, it’s Whittlesea United’s premiership to lose with the club sitting six points clear of Geelong and Brimbank Stallions. The later two likely to fight it out for the second promotion spot, although Westgate is still in the mix three points further back. In the South-East, Eltham Redbacks have secured promotion, sitting eight points clear with a premiership next in sight. Springvale White Eagles and Banyule City are joint second, while South Springvale is only two points behind and Malvern City a further point back in a tight battle for the second promotion place.