NPL Victoria Men: Cannons and Bentleigh reignite rivalry full of history and emotion

Few fixtures successful Victorian shot transportation the weight and past of Oakleigh Cannons against Bentleigh Greens. On Friday night, the two Hellenic giants conscionable erstwhile again successful a clash loaded with passion, memories and meaning.

Beyond the affectional storyline, the lucifer carries tremendous value connected the table. Oakleigh sit 2nd with 17 points, while Bentleigh are 5th connected 14, a spread that adds adjacent much spice to an already monolithic encounter.

Both sides participate the lucifer aft strong performances against elite opposition. Oakleigh stunned South Melbourne with a commanding 3–0 distant win, while Bentleigh earned a arrogant 1–1 gully against Preston Lions. Two very antithetic results, but some clubs walk into this derby afloat of belief.

A large assemblage is expected, the weather looks favourable, and the Cannons’ canteen will beryllium pumping retired souvlakia and acold beers each night. Why wouldn’t you beryllium there?

The different marquee fixture of the circular sees champions Heidelberg United big Avondale successful a gathering betwixt two of the league’s astir implicit and competitory sides.

Both teams are coming disconnected victories, some sit wrong the top four, and everything points to a precocious prime contention overflowing with strength and ambition. With pace, technical prime and heavy squads connected some sides, this is simply a lucifer up worthy of title contenders and some coaches bring years of acquisition and tactical nous.

All the ingredients are there. Don’t miss this one.

South Melbourne look a tricky distant trip to St Albans this week. The Greek Australian powerhouse, worn down by a dense docket and agelong travel commitments, will beryllium hopeless to bounce backmost from past week’s decision to Oakleigh by securing three important points successful 1 of the league’s toughest distant grounds.

There is uncertainty astir the travelling squad, adjacent the coaching setup remains unclear, arsenic South Melbourne proceed to juggle two squads, aggregate competitions, and a chaotic calendar. The coming weeks will uncover whether this demanding play strengthens oregon destabilises the club.

Few fixtures successful Victorian shot transportation the weight and past of Oakleigh Cannons against Bentleigh Greens. Photo: Con Deves

VPL1

Greek Australian clubs successful VPL1 look unsafe assignments this weekend.

League leaders Northcote City Iraklis purpose to stay connected top when they travel to Eltham Redbacks, a tough venue and a matchup separated by conscionable three points, giving the clash a derby similar edge.

Leonidas from Brunswick look to instrumentality to winning ways when they big Langwarrin, 1 of the division’s traditional heavyweights. Both sides person started the play slowly, making this a important accidental to reset their campaigns.

Port Melbourne Nea Hellas anticipation to proceed their upward momentum aft two strong weeks. They big Manningham United Blues successful a lucifer that means a large woody to the location side. Victory feels essential, the hostile is beatable, and the stage is acceptable for a passionate, precocious vigor contest. Greek fans will beryllium hoping Port Melbourne look victorious.

VPL2

All Greek Australian clubs successful VPL2 are connected the roadworthy this week.

Surprise leaders Malvern City travel northbound to look 2nd placed Goulburn Valley Suns successful a top of the table showdown.

Third placed Bayside Argonauts caput to Moreland City, while Box Hill Pythagoras, sitting conscionable down them, visit Keilor Park for Round 10.

Kingston City , presently ninth, marque the abbreviated trip to Springvale to look White Eagles.

Oakleigh Cannons committee members astatine the Lakeside stadium past week. Photo: Con Deves

NPL FIXTURES

Friday, 24 April

Green Gully – Preston Lions 7.30pm

Heidelberg United – Avondale 7.30pm

Dandenong City – Dandenong Thunder 7.45pm

St Albans – South Melbourne 8pm

Saturday, 25 April

George Cross – Altona Magic 6pm

Sunday, 26 April

Melbourne City NPL – Hume City 3pm

NPL – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

South Melbourne 9 18

Oakleigh Cannons 9 17

Heidelberg United 9 17

Avondale 9 16

Bentleigh Greens 9 14

Hume City 9 14

George Cross 9 13

Melbourne City NPL 9 11

St Albans Saints 9 10

Preston Lions 9 8

Dandenong Thunder 9 8

Dandenong City 9 8

Altona Magic 9 6

Green Gully 9 3

VPL1 FIXTURES

Friday, 24 April

Brunswick City – Langwarrin 7.30pm

Brunswick Juventus – North Sunshine Eagles 8.30pm

Eltham Redbacks – Northcote City 8.30pm

Saturday, 25 April

Port Melbourne – Manningham United Blues 3pm

Melbourne Srbija – Melbourne Victory 6pm

Bulleen Lions – North Geelong Warriors 6.30pm

Sunday, 26 April

Western United – Melbourne Knights 2pm

VPL1 – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

Northcote City 9 22

Brunswick Juventus 9 21

Melbourne Knights 9 19

Eltham Redbacks 9 19

Manningham United 9 16

North Geelong Warriors 9 15

Melbourne Victory VPL1 9 14

Bulleen Lions 9 14

Brunswick City 9 10

Western United VPL1 9 9

North Sunshine Eagles 9 6

Melbourne Srbija 9 6

Langwarrin 9 6

Port Melbourne 9 5

VPL2 FIXTURES

Friday, 24 April

Eastern Lions – Whittlesea United 7.45pm

Keilor Park – Box Hill United 7.45pm

Moreland City – Bayside Argonauts 7.45pm

Springvale White Eagles – Kingston City 8.30pm

Saturday, 25 April

Nunawading City – Werribee City 5.30pm

Altona City – Essendon Royals 6.15pm

Goulburn Valley Suns – Malvern City 7pm

VPL2 – STANDINGS

(games played, points)

Malvern City 9 24

Valley 9 18

Argonauts 9 17

Box Hill 9 16

Nunawading 9 14

Keilor Park 9 12

Royals 9 12

Lions 9 11

Kingston 8 10

Springvale 9 9

Werribee 9 9

Altona 9 9

Whittlesea 9 6

Moreland 8 6