The 2025 NPLM Elimination Final 1 Preview
Dandenong Thunder v Dandenong City
Venue: George Andrews Reserve
Date/Time: Saturday, August 30, 6:00pm
These two rivals are set to go head-to-head in a massive elimination final this Saturday night — the biggest Dandy Derby yet, with everything on the line.
The season series has already delivered two classics: in Round 3, George Lambadaridis struck a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser for Dandy City, before Yuku Uchida returned the favour for Thunder with a 98th-minute winner in Round 16. If this third clash is anything like the first two, fans are in for a treat.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Should City claim a maiden triumph over their cross-town rivals, they will earn a trip to Avenger Park to face Avondale, while Thunder will book their spot against Heidelberg United at Olympic Village if they can continue their impressive record in this landmark fixture.
It's the seventeenth edition of the Dandy Derby, the winner booking their spot in the Preliminary Final the loser left to contemplate a long off-season.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 16
Dandenong Thunder: 10
Dandenong City: 0
Draws: 6
Last Time They Met
Friday May 30 2025, 7:45pm
Frank Holohan Soccer Complex, Endeavour Hills
Dandenong City 1 (Clark 90+2og)
Dandenong Thunder 2 (Selimovski 75, Ushida 90+8)
Referee: Ross Clark
Dandenong City: Pierce Clark, Corey Sewell, Jack Webster, Thomas Giannakopoulos, Jamie Latham, Kenjok Athiu, Yagoub Mustafa (Brad Plant 81), Gaku Inaba, Danny Kim (Diego Cuba 88), Will Bower (Nathan Hancock 90+3), George Lambadaridis (Valli Cesnik 81); Coach: Nick Tolios; Cautions: Sewell 58, Lambadaridis 80, Athiu 90+1. Sent off: Sewell 64, Inabu 90+8.
Dandenong Thunder: Jamie Young, Daniel Alessi, Sevdim Ismaili (Ali Sulemani 70), Mersim Memeti, Yuki Ushida, Kyle Taylor, Daniel Clark, Jay Romanovski, Hassan Jalloh, Thijs Van Amerongen, Muamet Selimovski; Coach: Adam Piddick; Cautions: Selimovski 88, Romanovski 90+1, Van Amerongen 90+1, Rooke 90+8.
Watch the Last Time They Met!
The Key Matchup: Kyle Taylor v Jamie Latham
In a do-or-die clash, the midfield battle will be as crucial as ever, with both sides needing to control possession and dictate the tempo if they’re to come out on top.
For Dandenong Thunder, Kyle Taylor has been massive in his side’s push for the finals, netting six goals in all twenty-six matches this season and proving to be a constant threat in the final third. His ability to find space and deliver in big moments has been pivotal to Thunder’s campaign.
On the other side, Dandenong City will be relying heavily on Jamie Latham, who has been just as impactful with six goals to his name. Latham’s work rate and sharp passing make him a danger around the box, and his influence could be the difference between City advancing or bowing out.
Match commentators: Josh Parish & Mark Ivkovic
The 2025 NPLM Elimination Finals will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
For a full and comprehensive season overview and preview of the NPL Finals participants you can download the 2025 NPLM Official Finals Guide.
NPLM Elimination Finals
- Saturday 30 August, 6:00pm: Dandenong Thunder v Dandenong City @ George Andrews Reserve
- Sunday 31 August, 2:30pm: Oakleigh Cannons v Preston Lions @ Jack Edwards Reserve