NPL Victoria wrap: all the major talking points from across the league

We’re turning for home in the NPL Victoria season and the race for premierships, promotion and safety is heating up. Check out all the big results from the weekend.

South Melbourne defeated Melbourne Knights. Picture: SMFC

Wins are becoming increasingly critical as we enter the home stretch.

The NPL Victoria season is approaching its climax and the race for premierships and promotion and to avoid relegation are heating up.

The NPL premiership race appears down to three clubs, while in NPL2 it is almost anyone’s for the taking in an insanely tight ladder.

Meanwhile, in NPL3 the weekend saw one of the upsets of the season.

Check out all the major talking points from the round below.

SOUTH WINS ORIGINAL DERBY

The rivalry dates back to 1960 and comfortably sits alongside some of the famous rivalries of Australian sport. On Friday night they joined battle for the 110th time with South Melbourne taking a 2-1 win at Knights Stadium to extend their head-to-head lead. On his return to the starting XI, captain Brad Norton said these wins were season-defining. “This fixture, to the club, the supporters, players, it’s been massive since before Football Victoria became a thing, even Football Australia became a thing,” he told SMFC Media. “We’ve grown up watching South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights playing these games and to get a win, especially at their home ground, is massive. In the context of the season it goes a long way, it’s a special win. “They’re a top team at the moment, we knew that the first time we played against them but we know how strong we are, our two lines and shape is really hard to break down.” It was always destined to be a good game and to come home with three points is huge.”

It was a famous win at Knights Stadium tonight with Ajak Riak and Jack Painter-Andrews both extending their fantastic form by getting on the scoresheet. pic.twitter.com/IDF5EdTIEP

— South Melbourne FC (@smfc) June 2, 2023

Budding talent Jack Painter-Andrews opened the scoring for South with a long-range strike that miraculously found it’s way through heavy traffic and into the back of the net on the stroke of half-time. Knights were level after 51 minutes when Gevaro Nepomuceno powered his way into the area and fired low and under a diving Javier Lopez. However, the visitors were back in front just four minutes later after a horror defensive error by Knights. Max Mikkola pounced on a poor clearance and his shot was parried by Jake Oldfield straight to Ajak Riak to tap in the match-winner. Painter-Andrews has now scored in consecutive games and cementing his place in the South line-up. “He’s a top player, to play for this club you’ve got to be decent, and the coaches spot this type of talent out there,” Norton said. “To have him playing week-in, week-out now after the injuries at the start of the season and to be scoring goals is a credit to him.”

The result keeps South level with Avondale on top of the ladder but it’s a hammer blow to Knights’ premiership hopes. Knights are now 12 points back of the leaders and are now within reach of Port Melbourne in fifth, just four points behind.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

A pair of long-range rockets are vying for the weekly award in Round 16. Tyler Vecchio wrapped up three points for Green Gully on Friday night. Given all sorts of time and space by the Bentleigh Greens defence, he fired a shot that Greens keeper Bon Scott attempted to palm over the bar but couldn’t stop finding the back of the net. However, we’ve given it to Heidelberg United skipper Adrian Zahra’s brilliant opener against St Albans on Friday. Taking a pass from strike partner Kaine Sheppard, Zahra’s first touch appears heavy but it successfully opens up the space in front a retreating Saints defence. He turns and unleashes an unstoppable shot from well outside the box, past the outstretched hand of the keeper and into the net to send the Warriors on their way to a big win.

VALKANIS GETS TOP JOB

While all the attention has rightfully been on Ange Postoglou another South Melbourne export has already secured a major international coaching role. Former Socceroo and Adelaide United skipper Michael Valkanis has taken the top job at Hapoel Tel Aviv in Israel. The Melburnian had previously been in charge of Belgian club Eupen, stepping up from assistant after Stefan Kramer was dismissed in February. Hapoel finished the home-and-away season in 11th and was 10th after the league’s post-season, avoiding relegation by just four points.

Another former South Melbourne coach, Joe Montemurro guided Juventus Women’s to a second straight Coppa Italia thanks to a 93rd-minute winner in a 1-0 over Roma.

RED HAUNTS GREENS

Bentleigh Greens made a terrific start to their Friday night clash at Green Gully, taking the lead thanks to Lucas Derrick. A swift counter-attack was finished delightfully with the outside of his right foot past a charging goalkeeper. However, the home team was level just before half-time when Adolph Koudakpo somehow found a shooting lane and beat the keeper from a tough angle. The night would turn for the Greens when Scott Hilliar was shown a red card in the 57th minute as Green Gully took full advantage. Pierce Waring scored his ninth goal of the campaign – second most in the competition – from the penalty spot to give Gully the lead and former Perth Glory man Tyler Vecchio finished the game off with the goal of the night, a long-range stunner.

CANNONS HOLD ON

In one of the most exciting games of the weekend, Oakleigh Cannons survived a massive challenge from Dandenong Thunder. A terrific run from Stef Valentini set up Joe Guest for the opener at Jack Edwards Reserve early in the second half. Thunder were level when a fortuitous deflection put Kasper Hallam in behind and he found Grad Damen with a cross to poke home. However, parity didn’t last long as a superb through ball from Valentini put Guest through on goal and he was clumsily brought down by keeper Majok Mawith. Alex Salmon had no trouble converting from the spot to secure a valuable three points and remain in touch with the top two. Dandenong Thunder remains in sixth, now just a point in front of Green Gully, two ahead of Altona Magic and three clear of Heidelberg United.

BERGERS ARE BACK

Back-to-back wins and all of a sudden Heidelberg United has gone from potential relegation battle to the verge of a top-six finish. Captain Adrian Zahra got the Warriors off to the perfect start with a stunning long-range strike on the half-hour mark. Kaine Sheppard then finished strongly into the roof of the net to double the lead and Eoin Ashton wrapped up the three points when he poked home from a goal-mouth scramble. United are now just three points behind Dandenong Thunder in sixth and but face a difficult trip to Jack Edwards Reserve to face high-flying Oakleigh.

HIGH-FIVES FOR PORT, MAGIC

Away trip, no worries for Port Melbourne and Altona Magic who both scored 5-0 wins over Moreland City and North Geelong respectively on Saturday. Dor Jok scored a marvellous hat-trick to power the Sharks to a big win at CB Smith Reserve. Anthony Ianchello opened the scoring for the visitors and George Mells also got on the scoresheet to cap a dominant midfield display. The hat-trick doubles Jok’s season tally. Meanwhile, at Elcho Park, Tommy Semmy and Robert Harding both scored braces in the Magic’s convincing win. Jonas Markovski opened the scoring in just the eighth minute to bag his 10th of the campaign and sit alone on top of the competition’s goalscoring charts.

RAMS’ SEASON SAVER?

Ante Moric didn’t need to wait long for his first win in charge of Pascoe Vale and what a win it was. The Rams knocked off ladder-leader Western Rams 3-2 in their return to Hosken Reserve on Friday night. In a see-sawing contest, Paco opened the scoring through Brazilian Matheus Assumpcao in just the 14th minute and were 2-0 up when Will Roberts slotted home just before half-time. United got back in the game through Luke Vickery early in the second half but Assumpcao restored the two-goal lead from the penalty spot. Max Bisetto scored his ninth goal of the season – second most in the competition – to make for a nervous final 20 minutes but the home team held on. It was a critical win for Pascoe Vale, keeping it above the relegation zone by a single point, but also just three points out of sixth-place in an ultra-tight NPL2 ladder.

PRESTON BOUNCE BACK

Preston Lions are back in the winners’ circle and back on top of the NPL2 ladder. After a surprise slip-up against Werribee City, the Lions responded with a 2-1 win over title challenger Dandenong City. Second-half goals to Connor Bell and Delarno Pharoe secured the three points for the home side before Nicholas Hamakiotis netted a consolation in injury-time. Preston is now three points clear on top of the ladder as it eyes back-to-back promotions and a return to the top flight. It also sets up a blockbuster clash against premiership rival Western United at BT Connor Reserve on Friday night, which should see a massive crowd turn out – whether permitting.

BRUNSWICK NOT DEAD YET

Hold the tributes, Brunswick Juventus revived its season with a critical 2-1 win over Northcote City on Friday night. Goals to Denis Daluri and Tom Barforosh secured an invaluable three points at John Cain Memorial Park and the club’s fourth win of the campaign. There’s still plenty of work to do but also plenty of time. Juventus remains in last place, five points behind Bulleen Lions and six away from safety behind Brunswick City and Pascoe Vale with 10 games remaining. It sets up a massive clash against Bulleen Lions this Friday.

BULLEEN WINS CLASH OF LIONS

Speaking of the Lions, Bulleen continued its resurgence with a third straight win. A Max Batchelor brace and Luke Lofts’ ninth strike of the campaign – second most in the competition – ensured a commanding 3-0 win over Langwarrin at Lawton Park. While the club is in top form, frustratingly it remains in the relegation zone after Pascoe Vale picked up a shock win over Western United. The gap to safety remains at one point with Brunswick City now also falling into the relegation battle after a loss to Manningham United.

ROYALS’ EXTRAORDINARY UPSET

Essendon Royals produced one of the upsets of the NPL3 season on Friday night when they knocked off high-flying North Sunshine 1-0 at Cross Keys Reserve. Heading into the match, the two teams were at opposite ends of the table, the Eagles second and Royals second last. However, a Dean Clarke penalty in the 77th minute secured an invaluable three points for the home team and a third win of the season. The result lifts Essendon out of the bottom two, now a point clear of Box Hill United and only two behind Geelong and Beaumaris. North Sunshine meanwhile tumbles to fourth in a serious blow to its premiership and promotion hopes.

SUNS PAIR OFF TO INTERNATIONAL TOURNEY

Just two Victorians are in the Olyroos squad for the prestigious Maurice Revello Tournament in France this month. Both are from Shepparton SC and Goulburn Valley Suns. Brothers Garang and Alou Kuol have both come a long way since coming through the ranks at the country clubs with Garang signed by newly cashed-up Premier League club Newcastle United and Alou at Stuttgart in Germany. The Suns are enjoying a fine season in NPL3, sitting third on the ladder and in with a big shout of promotion.