Talking Points: Check out all the weekend’s NPL and VPL action

TALKING POINTS: Jack Pope might have rescued South Melbourne’s season before a dramatic red card, while Eastern Lions are fuming after a late equaliser was controversially denied.

South Melbourne players celebrate a goal. Picture: Kou Media

What a week in NPL and VPL football.

There was an Original Derby relegation battle, probably the first time we’ve ever said that.

There were top-of-the-table blockbusters in VPL1 and VPL2 as the promotion races hot up.

There was high drama as one team looked to have scored a late equaliser only to have the referee wave it off – mistakenly perhaps?

Check out all the highlights from a bumper weekend of football.

🚨🟡 NPLMVIC GOAL! 10:35: South Melbourne FC score to make it MKFC 0 : SMFC 1.

Watch live and free at https://t.co/SD1KcDDDwUpic.twitter.com/5G5M3Y40xj

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 23, 2025

POPE BLESSES SOUTH

Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne might have been last and second last on the NPL ladder but all eyes were on the Original Derby at Knights Stadium on Friday night. In a potentially season-defining match, the pressure was as high as its ever been on the two traditional powerhouses and it was Hellas who claimed the all-important win. Jack Pope was the hero for the visitors, scoring both goals, in a strong 2-0 win – before getting sent off. Finding himself in a cul-de-sac, Pope had little other choice but to shot – despite being 30m out – but he struck the ball sweetly into the far top corner to give Hellas an 11th minute lead. And just four minutes later he struck again. A bouncing ball in the area sat up perfectly for him to volley into the back of the net from close range. However, it went pear-shaped for the young gun just past the half-hour mark. South captain Andy Brennan flopped to the ground, sparking a melee. Pope was the first to remonstrate and was shown a straight red card in the aftermath. It could have proved costly but the visitors’ defence held firm under a barrage of Knights shots. The home side finished with 22 shots, nine on target, while South had four shots for the entire game, two of which were on target. Critically, both went in. After picking up his first win as coach, Sinisa Cohadzic said it was a superb effort from his players. “The dressing room as been fantastic, the boys have been suffering in the last couple of weeks, but they want to do the best they can for this club,” Cohadzic told club media. “They knew the only way we win this game was with grit and heart. “In that second half … I said you know how to defend, that’s all you need to do now and we’ll keep a clean sheet. “We wanted Jack to sit but he works hard and that gives him the rewards with two fantastic goals. He was waiting to explode and luckily that was this game.” The win sees South jump out of the relegation zone and up to 11th, now one point clear. Meanwhile, Melbourne Knights sit last on the ladder but are still only four points from safety.

AVONDALE MADE TO WORK

When Many Aguek scored in just the third minute of the match, it looked like Port Melbourne was in for a difficult night at Murphy Reserve. However, that early goal would prove to be the match-winner as the Sharks kept the Avengers’ vaunted attack otherwise quiet. Avondale did win the shots and shots on target tally – 14 to 11 and seven to three – but had just one corner for the match and committed more fouls (13-10). IT continues Port’s strong start to life under new manager Maxim Gaydovskiy. However, Avondale still secured the three points to keep the pressure on ladder-leader Heidelberg, sitting just one point behind. Aguek’s 11th strike of the season sees him also sit second, in the goalscoring charts, one behind Oakleigh’s Joe Guest.

🚨🟡 NPLMVIC GOAL! 73:19: Oakleigh Cannons FC score to make it OCFC 2 : GGSC 1.

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

— NPL Victoria (@nplvictoria) May 23, 2025

OAKLEIGH BOUNCE BACK

The Cannons were hurting after confirming ace midfielder Joe Knowles’ season was likely over due to injury last week. The pressure was high as Oakleigh had suffered defeat in two recent clashes against top-six rivals, Avondale and Heidelberg. So a dominant 3-1 win over a red-hot Green Gully was much-needed good news. Asad Kasumovic gave the home team a 20th minute lead at Jack Edwards Reserve. The Cannons looked in control but Gully levelled in the 72nd minute as skipper Josh Hope headed home strongly. However, it only seemed to spark Oakleigh back to life. Captain Joe Guest restored his club’s lead just a minute later, delightfully chipping the goalkeeper from the edge of the area. Cam McGilp then sealed the three points with a bullet from the left edge of the box. The win keeps Oakleigh in touch with the NPL leaders, sitting third, six points off top spot.

PRESTON, HUME SNATCH POINT

The mark of a good side is to keep fighting to the last whistle. A draw, instead of a loss, can so often be the difference between playing finals or not or winning a premiership or not. Preston Lions and Hume City showed their fighting qualities on Friday and Saturday night respectively, scoring last-gasp goals to pinch a point. At BT Connor Reserve, Kenny Athiu had given top-six challenger Dandenong City a 73rd minute lead. However, Jason Romero produced a stunning free kick to level the scores. His curling effort somehow evading the City defence with Matt Bozinovski perhaps bundling it over at the back post. Meanwhile at George Andrews Reserve, Daniel Clark had given Dandenong Thunder a 63rd minute lead. However, a brilliant curling effort from Rob Harker – in the 93rd minute – saw both teams go home with a point. Preston and Hume retain fifth and sixth respectively, while Thunder sits fourth and City remains seventh.

MORE MAGIC

Altona are on the charge after a third-straight victory. Goran Lozanovski’s men proved too good for St Albans on Sunday, claiming a 1-0 win at Churchill Reserve. That’s despite having Bilal Habib sent off in the 55th minute after a second yellow card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Altona still finished with more shots and more shots on target than the Saints. Anthony Frangie was the Magic’s match-winner, scoring the decisive goal in the 38th minute. The off-season recruit played a one-two with Habib to slice open the Dinamo defence and calmly slotted home his fourth goal of the campaign. Altona moves closer to the top-six battle, now sitting ninth and seven points off Hume City.

BERGERS BREAK RECORD

Heidelberg United showed its class on Sunday with a commanding 3-0 win over Melbourne Victory at the Home of the Matildas. In the process, it broke a club record with its 13th straight win across all competitions. It was also the club’s 10th straight win in the league. The usual suspects led the way for the Warriors as Bul Juach scored his 11th goal of the season, second most in the NPL, while Sabit James and Jamal Ali also found the back of the net in a comprehensive display. Juach tapped home a rebound after Asahi Yokokawa hit the post in the 10th minute of the match. Yokokawa was again involved as his cut-back found James all alone to convert at the back post. Jay McGown then found Ali, who’s delightful chip deceived Christian Siciliano from an impossible angle. United remain top of the ladder, one point ahead of Avondale.

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE FIZZER

It was the blockbuster one-v-two VPL1 clash between Bentleigh Greens and Melbourne City at Kingston Heath. But aside from a two goals, nine minutes apart, the match failed to live up to expectations. Beckham Baker gave City the lead in the 23rd minute. However, scores were level again in the 32nd as Ismail Haiji pounced for Bentleigh and that’s how it stayed. City will rue a number of missed chances having outshot the hosts 10-2. With the two teams settling for a point each, City remains on top, three points ahead of the Greens.

STOP IT, SAKHI

For the second week in a row Saif-Eddine Sakhi scored a marvellous hat-trick to power Caroline Springs George Cross to a handsome victory. The French-Moroccan import produced a stunning display as the Georgies dismantled North Sunshine Eagles 4-0 at City Vista. Sahki scored in the 17th, 30th and 57th minutes, while Luke Lofts also got in on the act, finding the back of the net in the shadows of half-time. It was Lofts’ ninth strike of the campaign, which has him equal top in the goalscoring charts. The thumping win sees Caroline Springs in third spot, now just two points behind Bentleigh in the automatic promotion places.

WERE EASTERN ROBBED?

In shades of Frank Lampard’s phantom goal against Germany at the 2010 World Cup, were Eastern Lions denied an injury-time equaliser against Manningham United on Saturday? Replays certainly suggest Kentaroh Ohi’s volley bounced over the line after crashing off the cross-bar. Whether it was 100 per cent over the line we’ll never know and the referee immediately waved it off as the Blues held on for a 1-0 win. The moment came in the second minute of injury-time as the Lions laid siege to the Manningham goal. Blues keeper Jordan Olds made a number of critical saves throughout the match to keep his side on top. It would have been another draw in a season of draws for Manningham United. However, the Blues escaped with a much-needed win at Pettys Reserve. It was Ayouba Kanneh who got the match-winning goal, finding the back of the net in the 43rd minute. Manningham sits eighth, now two points outside top-six.

NORTHCOTE RESPONDS

After back-to-back defeats – and a draw before that – Northcote City’s season was on the brink. However, Hercules responded with an impressive 3-1 over Moreland City at John Cain Reserve on Saturday. Sam Warde opened the scoring in the 17th minute, while Yani Nassis doubled the lead in the 33rd. Devin O’Hea added a third to seal all three points in the opening minute of the second half. Moreland got a late consolation goal through Carles Tena. After a tough couple of weeks, Northcote remains in fourth and moves back with seven points of second place and an automatic promotion spot.

SRBIJA FINDING FORM

It took 11 weeks for FC Melbourne to register a win in VPL1 but the club has found its feet in recent weeks. Saturday’s 3-0 win over high-flying Brunswick City is Srbija’s second win in a row and third in the past five matches. The club’s form as coincided with Ben Davine’s return to goalscoring form. He scored the winner against Langwarrin and has been on the scoresheet both times in the past fortnight, scoring a double against Brunswick. Marcus Dimanche also found the back of the net. The improved on-field performances has seen FC Melbourne jump up to 10th on the ladder and now four points clear of the bottom three.

TOP-OF-THE-TABLE EPIC

While the VPL1 top-of-the-table clash was a bit dour, the VPL2 one-v-two clash at Cross Keys Reserve produced far more drama. Phil Riccobene gave Essendon the lead in the 42nd minute. However, Eltham were back on level terms and then in front with a quick-fire double strike. Josh Dennett produced the equaliser in the 72nd minute and seven minutes later Jamal Clarke gave the Redbacks the lead. However, it wouldn’t last as Takumi Niwa responded for the Royals in the 84th minute to secure a share of the points. Essendon remains on top on goal difference and faces another heavyweight battle as it travels to North Geelong, while Eltham tackles GV Suns.

ZEBRAS MAKE IT A THREE-WAY

While Essendon and Eltham shared the points, Brunswick Juventus took full advantage. A strong 3-0 win over bottom-placed Pascoe Vale at CB Smith Reserve sees the Zebras move into a share of the VPL2 lead with the Royals and Redbacks, although they remain third on goal difference. The top two will win automatic promotion to VPL1. Lewis Gilboy opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Greg Siamoa doubled the lead 10 minutes later. Gilboy wrapped up a convincing performance in the 57th minute, his seventh strike of the campaign lifting him to joint second in the goalscorers race.

NUNA LEAVES IT LATE

Alex Kubenko was the toast of Nunawading on Saturday. The Nunawading City star scored an 89th minute match-winner to secure a nail-biting 1-0 win over Geelong at Mahoneys Reserve. It could prove a season-saving goal too with City clearing out from any relegation threat. The club sits eighth on the VPL2 ladder, three points clear of the bottom three but still seven points back of the top six.

UNITED SNATCHES NINE-GOAL THRILLER

It won one for the neutral, definitely not a game for the coach’s blood pressure. In a classic shootout, Whittlesea United came from two goals down early to claim a heart-stopping 5-4 victory over Boroondara-Carey Eagles at Wilcox Field. The timeline is incredible. Boroondara-Carey was two goals to the good after 22 minutes. Scores were level just seven minutes later as Whittlesea scored twice in two minutes. However, the Eagles struck again to take a 3-2 half-time lead. Another United quick-fire double – two goals in six minutes this time – gave the visitors their first lead but, again, scores were level just four minutes later. An incredible hour of football. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute as Whittlesea found a winner. Atila Ofli’s deflected shot and a goalkeeping howler saw the ball in the back of the net. Koray Cekic scored twice, Ali Turgut and Mert Tuna also found the back of the net. Jacob Colosimo scored the first two goals of the match, while Tristan Patsiotis and Apai Ukuno also scored for the Eagles. The win sees United sit ninth, three points clear of the relegation zone.

NORTH GEELONG EYEING RETURN

After back-to-back relegations, North Geelong has steadied and is eyeing a bounce back promotion. The Warriors edged Box Hill United on Saturday to claim a 2-1 road win at Wembley Park. The result moving the club within one point of ladder-leader Essendon Royals, which they face this weekend. Sergio Escudero gave the visitors a 13th minute lead and Angus Chapman made it a two-goal lead in the 77th. Chapman’s strike is his 12th of the campaign, five more than any other player in the competition. Luka Jevtic hit back for Box Hill in the 85th minute to set up a grandstand finish but Pythagoras couldn’t find a late equaliser.

SUNS’ HIGH-FIVE

Sharing is caring, as they say, and Goulburn Valley shared the goals around on Saturday. The Suns were too good for Altona City, scoring a 5-2 victory to cement themselves in the VPL2 top-six. It took Sean Grant just three minutes to open the scoring at John McEwen Reserve. Danny Edwards then doubled the lead in the 17th minute before Carter Ramsay hit back for Altona three minutes later. Scores were level when Jordan Lam pounced in the 31st minute. However, it was all Suns from there as Callum Schorah restored their lead four minutes later and Tom Blennerhassett added a fourth a further two minutes on. As if that wasn’t enough in a breath-taking first half, Stefan Pigatto made it a 5-2 game before half-time. Of course, neither side then troubled the scorer in the second half. Goulburn Valley sits sixth on the ladder, six points out of the top-two and six points clear of seventh.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

A brace of VPL1 matches rounds out the round on Monday night. Kingston City is battling for survival and hosts high-flying Western United at The Grange. Meanwhile, Bulleen Lions looks to cement its place in the playoff spots when it tackles lowly Langwarrin at the Veneto Club. Both matches have big consequences for all four clubs.