The 2025 NPL Victoria season delivered another action-packed weekend, with big crowds, thrilling finishes, and emerging narratives shaping the early part of the season. Front Page Football's Ross Papadakis brings you five key takeaways from Round 4.
Avondale striker George Ott netted his second goal of the season in a 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory. (Image: Avondale FC)
Sharks bite back to prove the doubters (me) wrong
Last week, I genuinely feared how bad it could get for the Port Melbourne Sharks following their difficult season start and uninspiring recruitment.
This week, they proved me wrong, beating David Chick's Green Gully 1-0, thanks to an absolute peach from Thomas Alisandratos.
The Sharks showed resilience and determination, securing a well-earned win and highlighting their potential. It's clear that Port Melbourne is a team capable of bouncing back, and this victory is a testament to their fighting spirit.
While I apologise for underestimating the Sharks' ability to turn things around, Round 4 raised alarm bells about Green Gully, who looked subpar on the night.
Aamir Abdullah has two goals to his name this season - both from the penalty spot - but he hasn't quite reached the heights that earned him the 2024 Gold Medal yet. There's still time for him to rediscover that form, and Chick and Gully will need him at his best as the season unfolds.
Credit has to go to Sharks manager John Markovski, who set his side up well to frustrate Green Gully and grind out an important result. After a tough start to the season, this win could be the catalyst Port Melbourne needed to get their campaign back on track.
Depthless Hellas humbled
Monday night's clash between South Melbourne Hellas and St Albans Saints exposed the reigning premiers’ growing concerns over managerial decision-making and squad depth as they slumped to an extremely humbling 3-0 defeat.
When Hellas released their lineup for the Round 4 fixture against Dinamo, fans were confused and surprised. With key players unexpectedly dropped/rested, South Melbourne lacked their usual dominance, struggling to break down a resolute Saints defence. St Albans took full advantage, frustrating their opponents and clinically finishing their chances to secure an emphatic victory.
It was the first time in 15 meetings across all competitions that St Albans had beaten Hellas, and what a way to break the streak.
While Gustav Møller played the full 90 minutes, Max Mikkola, Nahuel Bonada, Jake Marshall, and Marco Jankovic all featured, and Javi Lopez started but went off early with an injury; serious questions must be asked of Esteban Quintas and his decision to omit six regular starters from the starting line-up. The loss has only intensified doubts over whether Hellas possess the depth required to sustain their title defence.
With the Australian Championship on the horizon, South Melbourne must quickly address their inconsistencies, or their season could become significantly more challenging should these selection decisions continue.
South Melbourne heads into their Round 5 clash against Preston Lions with two wins, a draw, and a loss from their opening four matches.
Should there be one positive for Hellas heading into that huge clash, they now have a fully fit squad, apart from Lopez, we assume, ready to fire against Preston away from home. They'll want this win more than ever.
If their Dockerty Cup clash last year was anything to go by, it promises to be thrilling.
Meanwhile, St Albans can take confidence from a performance that showcased their resilience, tactical discipline, and ability to capitalise on opportunities.
Boom go the Cannons
Oakleigh Cannons increased their winning streak to two games with a 3-0 victory over Melbourne Knights, exposing their opponents' struggles without injured duo Joshua Karantz and Leo Mazis.
The Knights looked disjointed in midfield and lacked their usual attacking spark, with Oakleigh taking full advantage to secure a comfortable victory. Without Karantz's presence in midfield and Mazis' creativity on the wing, Melbourne Knights struggled to contain the Cannons, who capitalised on their dominance with clinical finishing.
Joe Guest scored a brace, his 50th and 51st NPL Victoria goals in just 129 appearances for the Cannons since signing for the club in 2019 from Curzon Ashton in England's Vanarama National League. Alex Salmon also found himself on the scoresheet.
Knights will need to find solutions quickly, as their depth is being tested early in the campaign, having now lost three of their four opening games.
Meanwhile, Oakleigh, with two wins, a draw, and a loss to the league leaders Avondale, looks every bit like title contenders, showing their quality at both ends of the pitch.
Avondale, the team to beat in the NPL Victoria
Avondale sent a strong statement to the rest of the competition with a commanding 4-1 win over Melbourne Victory, reinforcing their status as early frontrunners in this edition of the NPL Victoria.
From the outset, Avondale dictated proceedings, showcasing their attacking firepower and ruthless efficiency in front of goal. Victory initially took the lead through Jing Reec. But the gulf in class became evident as the home side wrestled control of the game.
A significant turning point came in the sixth minute when Victory defender Parker Williams was shown a red card. With the numerical advantage, Avondale applied relentless pressure and eventually overwhelmed their undermanned opponents, firing home four unanswered goals.
For Victory, this result doesn’t necessarily serve as a reality check. Instead, it highlights the small margins that can define football matches.
Their youthful squad has shown promise, competing well against strong opposition. But their winless start to the campaign leaves them needing to find form quickly to avoid a relegation battle.
Avondale, however, looks every bit like the team to beat, with George Ott, Kristian Trajceski, and Kur Kur all getting on the scoresheet.
Their cohesion, attacking fluidity, and defensive solidity set them apart as the early benchmark in 2025, and it will take something special to knock them off their perch.
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Kirdar's brilliance guides Hume
Hume City secured their second win of the NPL Victoria season with a convincing 3-1 victory over Dandenong City, showing signs of improvement after a mixed start to the campaign.
Having previously beaten Dandenong Thunder, Hume had a win, a draw, and a loss from their opening three games. But this performance suggested they are beginning to find their rhythm.
Former Victory man Birkan Kirdar was instrumental in their success, dictating play and creating key opportunities as Hume controlled large portions of the match, finding the back of the net himself.
Their attacking intent paid off, with clinical finishing proving the difference.
Despite playing at home, Dandenong City struggled to impose themselves against the organized and disciplined display shown by Riccardo Marchioli's side.
City did manage to open the scoring but were largely outplayed by a side growing in confidence, who replied emphatically with three goals in 20 second-half minutes.
For Hume, this win provides a strong platform to build on as they aim to climb the table and establish themselves as a contender this season.
Meanwhile, Dandenong City, who remain winless with three draws and a loss, will need to regroup quickly to avoid falling into early trouble. City faces Green Gully in Round 5, arguably a must-win game for both sides.
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