Check out all the weekend’s NPL and VPL highlights from around Melbourne

TALKING POINTS: Port Melbourne Sharks makes the perfect start under its new coach, Melbourne Knights has a new leader and Bentleigh Greens closes on top spot.

Liston Diaz in action for Port Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Batsch

We’ve turned the corner and heading for home in the NPL and VPL seasons.

The NPL ladder has split into a top-eight and bottom-six with the battle for the premiership, finals and relegation heating up.

There’s two new coaches in the league as Port Melbourne and Melbourne Knights make calls.

Meanwhile in VPL1 and VPL2, promotion and relegation is equally up in the air.

Check out all the major highlights from across the league below.

Tom Alisandratos in action for Port Melbourne. Picture: Andrew Batsch

SHARKS STUN SOUTH

New Port Melbourne coach Maxim Gaydovskiy has made the perfect start to his tenure, leading the Sharks to a stunning 2-0 win over South Melbourne at Lakeside Stadium – and off the bottom of the NPL Victoria ladder. A former Zenit St Petersburg player, Gaydovskiy was appointed last week – replacing John Markovski – coming across from Preston Lions where he was an assistant coach. In a relegation battle, Gaydovsky guided his new club to an impressive win, against the odds, on the road. Boom off-season recruit and captain Liston Diaz was the hero, scoring both goals – his first coming in the third minute before showing off his blinding speed to add a second in the 21st. The wins sees Port Melbourne move out of last place and out of the relegation zone, leap-frogging South Melbourne in the process. Hellas sits second-last above only Original Derby rival Melbourne Knights, who they face this week.

GULLY STREAKING

It took five weeks for Green Gully to secure its first win of the NPL season. Since then, the Cavaliers have gone 6-1-2 to launch up the ladder. The latest win, a rollicking come-from-behind performance to topple high-flying Dandenong Thunder 3-1 at Gully Reserve. Looking to back up an impressive 5-2 win over Avondale, Gully fell behind as Hassan Jalloh scored his ninth goal of the campaign. It didn’t look like Gully’s night when Aamir Abdullah missed a penalty kick but Deklan Wynne restored parity in the 79th minute. Matt Crooks put the home team in front in the 85th, tapping home at the back post and Elioan Kifle wrapped up the three points with a composed cross-goal strike in the 90th. The win sees the Cavaliers in eighth place, just two points outside the top-six. Thunder remain in third but slip five points behind ladder-leader Heidelberg.

🚨🟡 NPLMVIC GOAL! 56:34: Heidelberg United FC score to make it HUFC 2 : MKFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/SD1KcDDDwUpic.twitter.com/TmjZfGTeQW

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 16, 2025

WARRIORS SURVIVE

Speaking of the Bergers, a 2-1 come-from-behind win over old rival Melbourne Knights keeps them top of the table for a second week. Ciaran Bramwell had given the Knights a 12th-minute lead from the penalty spot but it was not to be for the fallen power. Asahi Yokokawa found an equaliser on the half-hour mark, his long-range shot surprising Knights custodian Gabriel Matti, and squeezing into the bottom corner. The decisive moment came in the 57th minute, Anthony Lesiotis continued his sublime form, with a sublime goal. Curling his free kick over the defensive wall and under the bar from 30m to secure victory for his club. The Warriors are one point ahead of Avondale at the top of the table.

KNIGHTS’ NEW LEADER

After parting ways with club great Ivan Franjic earlier this month, another Knights great is taking his place. John Markovski has taken the coaching reins at Somers Street after similarly parting ways with Port Melbourne. Markovski was part of the club’s National Soccer League championship-winning squad in 1995-96, playing 25 matches across two stints. He made 19 appearances for the Socceroos between 1994 and 1998. Markovski takes over in the wake of Knights’ 2-1 loss to old rival Heidelberg United on Friday night, which saw the club fall to the bottom of the NPL ladder. His first challenge will be against South Melbourne in an Original Derby relegation dogfight at Knights Stadium on Friday night. “I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but I want to return the club to where it belongs, and that starts this week against Hellas,” he told club media.

KAWAGUCHI MAGIC

After going 10 games without a win, Altona Magic made it back-to-back victories on Friday night to resurrect its season. Hiyori Kawaguchi scored the lone goal of the game in the 16th minute. Some horror Victory defending saw Daniel Fabrizio get behind the keeper and he passed off to the Japanese import for the simple finish. After scoring two goals in nine matches, the Magic have rediscovered their form and scored eight goals in three outings. The critical three points sees Altona move up to ninth, leap-frogging Victory, to be “best of the rest” as the ladder splits into two groups. The Magic are five points ahead of the relegation battle.

PRESTON TAKES DERBY SWEEP

The Northern Derby is always a heated affair. The fact the match was between fifth and sixth, only adding prestige and pressure. Preston secured a fighting 2-1 win in Round 1 and completed the season sweep on Friday night with a 1-0 victory at Broadmeadows. Jason Romero found the match-winning goal in the 21st minute. A charging Connor Bell laid the ball off to Romero on the edge of the area and the American striker made no mistake, firing in his sixth of the campaign. The Lions move back into fifth, ahead of their neighbouring rivals, and are 10 points off the top, while staying two points clear in battle for top-six. Hume, meanwhile, is one point back and in a tight tussle to retain its finals spot.

CITY FIRE

Dandenong City made one of the longest road trips in Victorian sport, travelling across Melbourne to St Albans and came away with an invaluable three points. After a long commute, Hadjuk could have be forgiven for dropping their heads after Mikael Platt gave Dinamo an early lead in the 13th minute. However, they responded and the pressure saw Alec Mills score an unfortunate own goal which levelled the scores. Diego Cuba then put the visitors in front in the 77th minute and as St Albans pushed for a late equaliser, Valli Cesnik ran from his own half to finish a swift counter-attack and wrap up the three points. City sits in seventh place and is now just one point outside the top-six.

AVONDALE CRUSHES CANNONS

After a humbling 5-2 loss at the hands of Green Gully, pity the team facing Avondale this week. The fact it was reigning champion Oakleigh Cannons mattered little. The Avengers produced arguably their best game of the season to secure a strong 3-0 victory at Avenger Park. It was a slice of luck that saw the Avengers open the scoring in the 15th minute. Many Aguek’s long-range shot ballooned off defender Jordan Hall, over the head of Nick Feely and into the back of the net. Aguek made it a double – and doubled the home team’s lead – in the 52nd minute. His initial shot stopped by Feely but the rebound fell straight back to him for the tap in. Feely’s tough day at the office was completed with a late own goal. Avondale remain in second, one point behind Heidelberg, while Oakleigh sit in fourth now six points off the pace.

🚨🟡 NPLMVIC GOAL! 14:50: Avondale FC score to make it AVFC 1 : OCFC 0.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/SD1KcDDDwUpic.twitter.com/QgInkNB21R

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 17, 2025

GREENS INCH CLOSER

Bentleigh Greens are a couple of points closer to VPL1 ladder-leader Melbourne City after a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Moreland City on Friday night. Luke Oresti gave Bentleigh an early lead but the underdog City team held a 2-1 lead after goals from Ali Al Sheikh and Carles Tena either side of half-time. However, the hosts couldn’t hold on. Ed Mitrevski levelled the scores on the hour mark and Cameron Saul put the Greens back in front just six minutes later. As Melbourne City was held to a 1-1 draw with Manningham United, the win sees Bentleigh move back to within three points of top spot ahead of the blockbuster top-of-the-table clash at Kingston Heath on Friday night.

EAGLES UPSET

North Sunshine Eagles have put a major dent in Northcote City’s promotion hopes with a strong 2-0 win at Larissa Reserve on Saturday. Yusuf Karadag was the hero, scoring both goals to seal a critical three points. Karadag scored in the opening minute of the match to give the home team the perfect start. He then bagged a second in the 24th and that’s how it finished. The win sees the Eagles settled safety in mid-table, an impressive result after stepping up from VPL2. North Sunshine sits eighth, eight points clear of the relegation battle and 12 points away from the promotion places. Northcote falls to sixth and is now nine points behind second-placed Bentleigh.

GEORGIES’ HIGH-FIVE

Caroline Springs’ boom off-season recruit Saif-Eddine Sakhi hadn’t scored in his first 13 appearances for the club. He more than made up for that on Saturday. The French-Moroccan midfielder scored a sublime hat-trick to power George Cross to a dominant 5-1 win over lowly Langwarrin at City Vista. Sakhi opened the scoring in the 16th minute, while Lachie Reus doubled the home team’s advantage before half-time. Sakhi then scored twice in three minutes just after the hour mark to seal his hat-trick and victory. Ben Blumenthal got a 76th minute consolation for Langy but Riki Hosoai put a cherry on top for the Georgies just three minutes later. The win sees Caroline Springs sitting third on the VPL1 ladder, just four points off second and a shot at promotion.

BROWN RESCUES SRBIJA

If FC Melbourne is to survive this season and remain in VPL1, Ryan Brown’s 90th-minute winner on Saturday night might be one of the decisive factors. Brown’s goal snatched a 3-2 victory over Kingston City at Kevin Bartlett Reserve, a critical three points in the relegation battle. Earlier, Nathan Stamatelos had given Kingston an early lead before Nenad Nikolic and Ben Davine scored either side of half-time to put the hosts in front. Ryan Inman looked to have claimed a share of the points when he scored in the 84th minute. However, Brown’s heroics sparked wild celebrations. Srbija jumps out of the relegation zone, leap-frogging Kingston in the process and is now one point clear of the bottom two.

MAKAROUNAS MAGIC

Former Australia underage international Jesse Makarounas has still got a magic touch when he needs it. The former Melbourne Victory and Adelaide United man produced the match-winning moment to secure Brunswick City a nail-biting 1-0 win over Eastern Lions at Gardiners Creek Reserve on Saturday night. Makarounas came on as an 80th minute substitute and scored the lone goal of the game just seven minutes later. The critical three points keeps City in the promotion hunt, the club now sitting fourth and six points behind second-placed Bentleigh.

WHITE EAGLES GO BANG

Springvale White Eagles poured more misery on a hapless Pascoe Vale on Friday night. The White Eagles came away from Hosken Reserve with a thumping 5-0 win, taking an advantage of a club at an all-time low. Josh Millar opened the scoring in just the fifth minute of the match and Goran Zoric scored a brace before half-time. Sam Orritt kept the visitors’ momentum rolling in the 58th minute, while Miles Mavricos completed the rout in the 90th. The victory sees Springvale sit in fifth place on the VPL2 ladder, still in the promotion hunt, seven points back of the ladder-leaders.

CITY’S BIG THREE POINTS

It had been four matches since Werribee City celebrated a win. While there had been three draws in that span, the club desperately needed three points and got them on Friday night with a gritty 1-0 win over Whittlesea United at Galvin Park. Mark Withers provided the match-winning moment, pouncing in the 57th minute. It was a masterstroke substitution by coach Craig Moore as Withers had only been introduced four minutes earlier. It was also his first goal of the season. The win eases the pressure on the Bees, moving the club to eighth and four points clear of the bottom two.

REDBACKS RESPOND

It had been a tough three weeks for Eltham, two draws and a last-start loss had seen the club slip from the top of the VPL2 ladder. And it was so very nearly another stumble on Friday night as the Redbacks hosted struggling Box Hill United. Pythagoras was minutes away from a huge upset win, only to see Eltham charge home with two late goals to snatch a heart-stopping 3-2 victory. A Box Hill own goal had given Eltham an early lead before Luke Barrueto and Sean Png gave the visitors a surprise 2-1 half-time lead. Just as it looked like the upset was on, Josh Dennett levelled the scores and with almost the final kick of the game, Billy Romas stole all three points in the 94th minute. The come-from-behind win keeps Eltham level with Essendon Royals at the top of the table, sitting second on goal difference.

GUZZARDI INSPIRES ROYALS

At half-time Altona City held a 2-1 lead over ladder-leader Essendon Royals. The second 45 minutes would be a very different tale. Nick Georgopoulos and Adam Oddo gave the home team early hope. Julian Guzzardi kept the visitors in the game. Everything changed in 10 minutes of madness – the final 10 minutes. Marcus Kotronis found an equaliser in the 80th minute and from there the flood gates opened. Jordan Adeyemi scored a minute later to put the Royals in front and Guzzardi put a cherry on top with two late strikes to clinch a hat-trick. Making matters worse for Altona, Nicola Jurkovic saw yellow for a second time and was sent off in the 73rd minute. The come-from-behind win sees Essendon retain top spot, level on points with Eltham.

GEELONG DERBY

It was a big football day in Geelong on Saturday as a big crowd descended on Elcho Park to see the second Geelong derby of the season. The Round 1 clash at Stead Park had ended 2-2 but North Geelong would not be denied this time. The Warriors claimed a 2-0 win to continue their march towards a premiership and promotion fight. An unfortunate Zac Kocankovski own goal gave the hosts a 27th-minute lead and Angus Chapman wrapped up the three points with his ninth goal of the campaign in the 54th. The gun striker is now two goals clear in the Golden Boot race. North Geelong sit in fourth place, three points behind the ladder leaders.

SUNS ON THE ROAD

Don’t sleep on the Goulburn Valley Suns. After a difficult 2024, the Suns are back among the VPL2 leaders and eyeing a promotion push. While they have a major home ground advantage, winning on the road has been a sticking point and Sunday’s 4-1 over Boroondara-Carey is a major boost to the Suns’ season ambitions. Mangara Munguakonkha and Danny Edwards both scored braces at Wilcox Field to power their team to a vital three points. The wins sees the Suns sitting sixth on the ladder, eight points behind the top-two.

DOCKERTY CUP

We’re a step closer to finding out Victoria’s Australia Cup qualifiers. There are just two matches remaining as the Dockerty Cup enters its sixth round on Tuesday with some blockbuster clashes. VPL1 club Northcote City hosts Melbourne Knights, Heidelberg United faces the last State League hope Clifton Hill and NPL heavyweights – two of last year’s Australia Cup qualifiers – Hume City and Oakleigh Cannons face-off. The following week, Avondale will host Manningham United, Dandenong Thunder tackles Whittlesea United, South Melbourne welcomes Pascoe Vale, Dandenong City faces Brunswick City and North Sunshine and Nunawading City clash.