One word to summarise the 2024 National Premier Leagues Victoria Women? Irregular. If one was to have said before the season commenced that league veterans Calder United would be relegation-bound and recently promoted Essendon Royals would qualify for the Finals Series, would anyone have believed them? Probably not, and Front Page Football is going to explain why.
Heidelberg United clinched their first ever NPLW Championship in 2024. (Image: By The White Line)
In 2016, the old Women’s Premier League (WPL) was replaced with the current National Premier Leagues Women (NPLW) format in Victoria. From that inaugural season until 2023, three clubs collectively shared the state's major honours: Bulleen Lions, Calder United, and South Melbourne. Additionally, Heidelberg United took out the 2016 Team App Cup (now the Nike F.C. Cup), meaning that only four clubs have won all the league and cup silverware in the NPL era of Victorian women’s football.
Sides such as Alamein, Box Hill United, and Galaxy United have also performed well in the league or the cup. The first shakeup to the format arrived last year, when the league expanded from eight to eleven members, drawing in two new contenders with Boroondara Eagles and Preston Lions.
Preston had previously played in the old WPL, having been relegated in the 2013 season. Boroondara was entirely new to the first tier, being promoted from the Victorian Premier League Womens alongside Preston. Both sides finished in the top six in their inaugural NPLW season, with the Eagles finishing runners-up and only two points shy of Bulleen. Meanwhile, veterans Heidelberg fought against relegation, placing ninth on the table.
The 2024 season could not have been more different: the top six included Bulleen, Preston, South Melbourne, and Boroondara – nothing too surprising. The surprises were Preston switching with Boroondara to finish runners-up, newly promoted Essendon Royals placing third, a resurgent Heidelberg in fourth, and a limping South Melbourne coming in at fifth. So what changed?
Some strong recruitment on Preston's side, involving players such as Ellie La Monte, Hayley Johnson, and former Young Matilda Rasamee Phonsongkham, contributed heavily to the Lions' change in fortunes this year. For Essendon, the guidance of veteran manager Vince Battiato no doubt helped steer the squad through some tricky waters. And for Heidelberg, some long-needed stability in the coaching box with Sven Samild turned the club's prospects around in time to qualify for and win the Finals Series.
Whilst the Nike F.C. Cup was won by the league premiers Bulleen over Preston in a Lions derby final, the NPLW Finals Series was anything but predictable: the Bergers were well in the ascendency at David Barro Stadium by half-time of their Semi-Final clash against Bulleen, booking their ticket to the Grand Final against debutants Preston Lions. A controversial and entertaining Final ensued, resulting in Heidelberg United lifting their first piece of NPLW glory.
Whilst Heidelberg was celebrating their long journey to the championship, the NPLW was saying goodbye to the once mighty and seemingly immovable Calder United. Perhaps no single club had embodied the NPLW era in Victoria as much as Calder: formed in 2015 ahead of the inaugural season, Calder was both the first premiers and champions of the rejuvenated first tier. The western suburbs side would take out the double again in 2019 and another championship in 2023. The club would also secure the Women’s State Knockout Cup (the Nike F.C. Cup) a record six consecutive times between 2017 and 2023.
Trouble was signalled for Calder after the club experienced changes to its home ground arrangements and saw many players depart for the newly formed Western United in the A-League Women. Nothing could emphasise the end of an era in NPLW Victoria more than this once titan of Victorian state football finishing dead last in 2024, being relegated to the second tier alongside the only recently promoted Brunswick Juventus.
Bulleen Lions star Maja Markovski dominated the post-season Football Victoria Awards Night, taking home the Golden Boot for 20 goals scored and the Media Player of the Year and sharing the vote with Alamein’s Rebecca Saber for the Golden Medal. Bulleen dominated the awards in general, and the club also secured the Players’ Player award courtesy of Isabel Dehakiz and Coach of the Year through Caitlin Friend. Goalkeeper of the Year was rightfully secured by Essendon Royals’ Bethany Mason-Jones, who conceded the least number of goals in the top six after the premiers. Preston Lions’ Hayley Johnson should also be acknowledged for scoring the most goals (21) when including Finals Series matches.
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Bulleen Lions scooped many of the accolades at the Football Victoria Awards Night Gala. (Image: Football Victoria)
From the 2024 season, it is clear that a wind of change has swept the NPLW Victoria. The dominance of former heavyweights such as Calder United and South Melbourne has been broken. Bulleen Lions continue to hold onto their premier status, though they are increasingly feeling the pressure from an ambitious Preston Lions. Boroondara Eagles are also in the mix, proving themselves capable of competing with those at the top of the table.
Time will tell whether Heidelberg's comeback is here to stay or whether Essendon Royals’ debut season was merely a fluke. Eyes will shift to observe how proud Alamein and Box Hill United will respond to these new threats to their historically entrenched positions.
Spring Hills and Casey Comets will also be introduced next season, as 2025 looks set to be an electric year in the NPLW Victoria.
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