We pick out the 10 biggest and best NPL Victoria games to watch in 2024
From the OG Melbourne derby on opening night to a mid-season grand final rematch and the arrival of a NPL Victoria debutant. Check out the biggest games of 2024.
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There’s just two months until the NPL Victoria season kicks off.
The fixture was confirmed this week, with the opening game on February 8.
We’ve cast our eye over the entire fixture to find the biggest and best games to watch.
From the OG Melbourne derby on opening night to a mid-season grand final rematch and then the final clash between old rivals South Melbourne and Heidelberg United.
The fans are sure to turn out in droves for some of these blockbusters. Which are you looking forward to the most?
SOUTH MELBOURNE v MELBOURNE KNIGHTS
Round 1: Thursday, February 8 at Lakeside Stadium
The new season kicks off with a bang when last season’s grand finalists South Melbourne hosts long-time rival Melbourne Knights in the OG Melbourne derby. The standalone Thursday night game should attract a bumper crowd to Lakeside Stadium.
AVONDALE v DANDENONG CITY
Round 1: Saturday, February 10 at Avenger Park
The Avengers get to kick off the season at home and, in Aussie Rules parlance, raise the flag in front of their fans. It should be a party atmosphere at the Reggio Calabria Club and with the grandstand expected to be re-opened, there should be a strong turnout.
DANDENONG CITY v ALTONA MAGIC
Round 2: Friday, February 16 at Frank Holohan Reserve
The NPL2 champions have been handed a nightmare start by the NPL Victoria fixturers, away at Avondale, but get to return to Dandenong in Round 2 when they host Altona Magic. The club will celebrate its 2023 triumph with the fans and hopefully pick up a win on the night too.
MANNINGHAM UNITED v DANDENONG THUNDER
Round 2: Saturday, February 17 at Pettys Reserve
While Dandy City kicks off the season against Avondale, fellow promotion-winner Manningham doesn’t get it much easier either playing Oakleigh at Oakleigh. The Blues will have to wait until Round 2 to host their first ever NPL match at Pettys Reserve when they host Dandy Thunder.
DANDENONG CITY v DANDENONG THUNDER
Round 6: Friday, March 15 at Frank Holohan Reserve
We’ll have to wait until Round 6 for one of, if not arguably the biggest, home-and-away game of the season – the first Dandenong derby of the year. We didn’t get one in 2023 so 2024 should see a big crowd descend on Frank Holohan Reserve. The return bout is in Round 19 on June 22.
OAKLEIGH CANNONS v SOUTH MELBOURNE
Round 7: Friday, March 22 at Jack Edwards Reserve
The two heated rivals have had some famous battles in recent seasons – the 2022 NPL Victoria grand final, which Oakleigh won 5-0, and this season’s preliminary final, which South won thanks to a 92nd minute Marcus Schroen winner. Jack Edwards Reserve will be pumping on a Friday night.
OAKLEIGH CANNONS v AVONDALE
Round 9: Friday April 12 at Jack Edwards Reserve
The big games keep coming for Oakleigh as Avondale visit Jack Edwards Reserve just two weeks after South Melbourne. The Cannons almost threw a spanner in the Avengers championship plans, holding them to a nil-all draw late this season. It will be fascinating to see who comes out on top in this one.
MANNINGHAM UNITED v DANDENONG CITY
Round 11: Saturday, April 27 at Pettys Reserve
We’ll have to wait until April to see the two promotion-winners go head-to-head for the first time. Manningham has home ground advantage first with the return bout scheduled for Frank Holohan Reserve on July 26 in Round 24. The two teams played out 1-1 and 0-0 draws this season. The two meetings between these two teams will have a big say on relegation.
SOUTH MELBOURNE v AVONDALE
Round 12: Saturday, May 4 at Lakeside Stadium
Can you believe we have to wait until Round 12 for the grand final rematch? Unbelievable. Understandably, fixturers likely want the two championship contenders to face off again late in the season for maximum drama – the second meeting is in Round 25, so fair enough – but it’s still a long wait. And the game hasn’t even been given a prime-time slot either, scheduled for a Saturday arvo, 4pm kick-off.
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HEIDELBERG UNITED v SOUTH MELBOURNE
Round 18: Sunday, June 16 at Olympic Village
This could be the last time old, old rivals Heidelberg United and South Melbourne meet for some time. With Hellas joining the National Second Division and the Warriors – at least for the time being – remaining in NPL Victoria it will be the end of an era. The rivalry dates back to 1960.
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