NPLM fans were treated to a goal fest last week and will be hoping for more of the same. A big weekend of action awaits; headlined by Avondale taking on the Oakleigh Cannons.
Green Gully v Dandenong Thunder
8:00 pm, Friday 28 April, Green Gully Reserve
Green Gully lost its second game in a row last week at the hands of the Melbourne Knights to fall to fifth spot.
The Cavaliers have been impressive when they are at their best this season, however over the first 10 rounds they have an even ledger of wins and losses; showing they are struggling with inconsistency.
Defeat looked inevitable when Green Gully was two goals down when the game clock ticked past 80 minutes, but the boys in green refused to give in and kept pushing, scoring two late goals, however, it wasn't enough as they went down 3-2.
The Thunder will need to put work into Pierce Waring who scored his seventh goal for the season last week with a brilliant strike from outside the box.
Josh Hope and Luc Jeggo will need to be at their best this week if they are going to restrict Dandenong's Grad Damen, who earnt a TOTW nomination and Kieran Dover who was outstanding on the ball last week.
Dandenong was able to stay in touch with the top six in Round 10 with a 3-2 win over Moreland City.
Erdeniz Yildiz scored a ripping goal from outside the box to earn himself the NPLM Goal of the Week.
Francis Soale put in an impressive performance last week and will need to be just as sharp if he is to prevent the dangerous gully attack in finding the back of the net.
In the last round of last season, Dandenong defeated Green Gully 3-0 with Harley Orr playing a massive role in the victory.
Heidelberg United v Moreland City
8:30 pm, Friday 28 April, Olympic Village
Moreland slumped to its fourth loss in a row against Dandenong last week, going down 3-2.
James Hooper (60th minute) and Fletcher Fulton (84th minute) scored their third goals of the season, proving the struggling side has some fight left in them.
Fletcher Fulton was Moreland's best, providing a dangerous option up forward and will need to have a big say on the match if they are to come away with the win.
Keeper Alex Kondoleon was immense between the sticks and coming up against the attack of Kenny Athiu, Josh Pinn and Kaine Sheppard, he will need to stand up again.
In the first half of last week's defeat, Kondoleon along with the Moreland defence was able to keep the Thunder to one goal from eight corners and five shots on goal. If they can replicate their impressive defensive showing against Heidelberg, they will give themselves a big chance to take home the three points.
After starting to gather some momentum, Heidelberg is now winless in its past three matches.
The only goal the Bergers gave up in their 1-1 draw with North Geelong was a moment keeper Nick Eres would love to have back after he was chipped from nearly halfway.
Dom Falla was superb in the victory for Heidelberg through the midfield, while Josh Pinn tried hard all match as Heidelberg's main man up front.
Avondale v Oakleigh Cannons
3:00 pm, Saturday 29 April, Avenger Park
The Avengers continued its unbeaten run on the weekend, defeating St Albans 4-0 at home.
Zander Guy was amongst Avondale's best playing on the right wing and will be a threat once again, while Kristian Trajceski provided another stand-out performance - giving the Oakleigh midfielders something to think about heading into their clash.
Avondale was able to start last week's match on fire, scoring in the first minute through Trajceski setting up Stefan Zinni for the first goal of the game before their opponents had even touched the ball.
Defender Dillon Jakupi also got his name on the scoresheet, but will need to be at his defensive best alongside his fellow defenders to contain Manyluak Aguek and Liam Boland.
In Round 10, Oakleigh won its third game on the trot to set up the monster 1 v 3 clash against the Avengers.
Midfielder Joe Guest put in an unbelievable performance in the victory, collecting three assists, while Chris Lucas was a menace all game; scoring late and picking up an assist.
Connor Hampson played a terrific game from right-back, managing to score two goals from set pieces, and Daniel Clark was everywhere in attack for the Cannons; scoring two goals on the night.
This week we will witness the best attack in the league (Avondale 40 goals) against the second-best defense (9 goals conceded) in Oakleigh. The Cannons are no slouch in front of goal either, scoring 25 goals for the season, only behind the Avengers and Green Gully.
North Geelong Warriors v St Albans Saints
3:00 pm, Saturday 29 April, Elcho Park
After putting in impressive performances and only losing by one goal against the Knights and Thunder in recent weeks, North Geelong was able to walk away with a point against Heidelberg at Olympic Village.
The match was relatively even with North Geelong registering six shots on goal to seven, however, keeper Hamish Flavell played a great game in ensuring his side remained in the contest.
Marvin Brauweiler was instrumental at center-back and was named in the TOTW and will need to have another great game to contain the Saints forwarn line spearheaded by George Ott.
After two wins from the first three rounds, St Albans is yet to find another three points and will see this week as a golden opportunity.
Last week they lost to Avondale 4-0 with the home side dominating the match, from the first whistle.
Striker George Ott started the season on fire and has scored 5 of the club's 11 goals this campaign and he was one of the Saints' best in defeat. If St Albans are going to win this week, Ott will need to be at the form that saw him lead the Golden Boot to begin the season.
Port Melbourne v Bentleigh Greens
5:30 pm, Saturday 29 April, JL Murphy Reserve
Port Melbourne lost its second game in a row last week at the hands of South Melbourne, to sit ninth on the NPLM ladder.
Dor Jok scored his third goal in two games on the weekend in a positive sign for things to come and Fletcher McFarlane also got his name on the scoresheet with a beautiful header into the bottom corner.
Midfielder George Mells was the Sharks' best last week and will need to use his creativity to create chances on goal to give his side the best hence at victory.
Dan Edwards was a steady head through the midfield, while Jalil Regague tried his heart out in defence.
Bentleigh Greens registered just their second win for the season over Hume City last week and will hope to continue in its winning ways this week.
Christos Theodorakopoulos was superb in victory, scoring two goals and will create a major headache along the wing once again.
Alex Baker had a major say in preventing a Hume comeback alongside Alec Mills, but the duo will once again need to be switched on with Dor Jok in serious form.
After overcoming the seventh-placed side last week, the Greens will be full of confidence and will want to continue in its winning ways this week.
Port Melbourne defeated Bentleigh 2-1 late last season with Chris Duggan's goal proving the difference in the match.
Melbourne Knights v Hume City
4:00 pm, Sunday 30 April, Knights Stadium
The Knights won their third game in a row last week against Green Gully to cement its spot in the top four.
Josh Phelps played a terrific game on the last line, earning a TOTW nomination, while Ciaran Bramwell was outstanding up front; scoring two goals.
Anthony Duzel controlled the midfield battle against Hume City, while Gian Albano was dangerous all match on the right wing.
Hume City will be desperate to bounce back this week, following its shock loss to Bentleigh last week.
Jawad Rezai was superb on the wing last week (two goals) and will need to be at his creative best against the Knighys and Hayden Tennant was the pick of the defenders despite giving up an own goal.
Hume defeated the Knights in Round 20 last season 3-1 with Josh Bingham scoring a brace.
South Melbourne v Altona Magic
4:00 pm, Sunday 30 April, Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne continued its unbeaten stretch to five games following a 5-2 victory last Monday night.
Max Mikkola was South's best in the big win over Port Melbourne, scoring a brace and earning a spot in the TOTW.
Ajak Riak scored his first goal since his international excursion, while the in-form Josh Wallen once again found the back of the net from a set piece.
Jake Marshall played a great game at center-back, preventing many chances at goal for the Sharks.
South is only three points away from Avondale in first, but they are not going to make up the 21+ goal difference, but the best defence in the league will ensure Altona doesn't produce any magic in front of goal.
Altona's three-game winning streak was brought to a halt in Round 10 when they lost 5-1 to the Oakleigh Cannons.
Josh Markovski scored his side's only goal with a brilliant follow-up header from a free-kick which equaled the match heading into half-time.
If the Magic are to produce something special this week midfielders Cian Cuba and Charlie Leech will need to regain their form of recent weeks, while Zac Bowling will need to be at his best in goals.
South Melbourne defeated Altona 2-0 when they last met with Pat Langlois and Jake Marshall scoring in the first half.