The 2025 NPLM Elimination Final 2 Preview
Oakleigh Cannons v Preston Lions
Venue: Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh
Date/Time: Sunday, August 31, 2:30pm
The reigning Champions Oakleigh Cannons host the sleeping giant, Preston Lions, in what promises to be a blockbuster elimination final on Sunday afternoon.
For Oakleigh, the equation is simple, if they want any hope of defending their crown, they must first tame a Preston side full of belief, momentum, and destiny. Back in the top flight for the first time in years, the Lions see this as their moment to rise and reclaim their place among Victoria’s elite.
Although Jack Edwards Reserve will provide the Cannons with home ground advantage, Preston’s famously passionate supporter base is expected to travel in numbers, determined to turn the stands red and yellow and push their team over the line.
History this season leans in Oakleigh’s favour, with the Cannons taking all the points from both of their previous meetings. But finals football is a different beast and Preston have strengthened their defense with the acquisition of Ryan Scott from the Newcastle Jets, the custodian setting a new record in the NPL era with his six consecutive clean sheet on the weekend. So the question remains: can Preston overcome their rise to the occasion when it matters most, or will Oakleigh’s big-game experience prove decisive once again?
With a preliminary final clash against Avondale or Heidelberg United awaiting the victor, and the loser’s season coming to an abrupt end, everything is on the line in this high-stakes showdown.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 18
Oakleigh Cannons: 11
Preston Lions: 5
Draws: 2
Last Time They Met
Friday June 27 2025, 8:15pm
Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh
Oakleigh Cannons 4 (Dench 5, Duratovic 7, Kasumovic 10, 19
Preston Lions 0
Referee: Lucas Mattia
Oakleigh Cannons: Jack Warshawsky, Brodie Boyce, Connor Hampson, Jordan Hall, Jacob Tratt, Cameron McGilp (Campbell Strong 61, Ajak Deu 80), Joe Guest, Adem Duratovic (Noah Holmes 76), Kingsley Sinclair, Matthew Dench, Asad Kasumovic (Thomas Alisandratos 76); Coach: Chris Taylor; Cautions: Hall 67.
Preston Lions: Ryan Scott, Domenic Folino, Aaron Anderson, Lleyton Brooks (Luke Francis 56), Giorgio Serdenes (Jonas Markovski 65), Connor Bell, Jake Trajkovski, Marcus Schroen (Luc Jeggo 31), Jason Romero (Oliver Kubilay 31), Brandon Lauton (Gian Albano 46), Stefan Nigro; Coach: Lou Acevski; Cautions: Lauton 43, Serdenes 65, Markovski 67.
Watch the Last Time They Met
The Key Matchup: Joe Guest v Oliver Kubilay
This midfield battle has all the makings of a classic, with two former teammates now standing on opposite sides of the pitch.
Oliver Kubilay, who lifted silverware with Oakleigh last season, has crossed over to Preston and become the heartbeat of their midfield. Now, fate has placed his old club directly in his path.
Waiting for him is Oakleigh captain Joe Guest, a proven match-winner and one of the league’s premier midfielders. The question is simple: will Guest once again rise to the occasion and drive the Cannons forward, or will Kubilay’s inspire Preston to a fairytale run into the prelims?
Match commentators: Steve Curtain & Neal Symons
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