The 2025 NPLM Round 12 Match of the Round has plenty on the line, who will step up in this enticing 2023 Grand Final rematch.
Preview
Round 12: Avondale v South Melbourne
Venue: Avenger Park
Date/Time: Saturday 3 May 2025, 3:00pm
The NPLM Round 12 Match of the Round sees two of the competition’s most successful recent sides go head-to-head in a highly anticipated Grand Final rematch.
Avondale sits comfortably atop the table with nine wins from 11 games, their attacking force firing with Manny Aguek (5 goals), Kur Kur (4), and five others contributing three goals each. In contrast, South Melbourne is still finding its rhythm, sitting in 11th place with just two wins so far this season.
Despite the gap in form, South’s lineup — featuring goal threats like Nahuel Bonada, Andy Brennan, George Mells, and Max Mikkola — cannot be underestimated. With memories of 2023's 4-0 Grand Final defeat still fresh, South will be eager to claim revenge and restore some pride in their 2025 campaign.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 19
Avondale: 12
South Melbourne: 6
Draws: 1
Last Time They Met
Round 25, Saturday 10 August 2024, 3:00pm @ Avenger Park, Parkville.
Avondale 1 (Trajceski 53);
South Melbourne 1 (Bonada 19).
Referee: Paschalis Natis.
Avondale: Pierce Clark, Thomas Manos, Daniel Edwards (Matthew Reid 90+7), Ayden Brice, George Ott (George Mells 78), Kur Kur (Liston Diaz 78), Yitayew Towns, Adam El Hayek (Stefan Zinni 78), Kristian Trajceski, Jackson Courtney-Perkins, Kalilou Kamara, Cian Cuba (Joseph Katebian 89);
Coach: Zoran Markovski
South Melbourne: Javier Lopez, Marco Jankovic, Jake Marshall, Lucas Inglese, Harrison Sawyer, Jack Pope (Robert Harding 61), Zak Spiteri, Cooper Halfpenny (Mario Barcia 46), Ross Archibald (Andy Brennan 46), Nahuel Bonada, Jack Painter-Andrews;
Coach: NA
Watch the last time they met!
Key Matchup: Avondale's Attack v Lopez-Led Defence
With Manny Aguek, Kur Kur, Stefan Zinni and George Ott all in dangerous form, goals can come from anywhere for the Avengers.
The standout clash this round is Avondale’s firepower up front going head-to-head with South Melbourne’s elite defence, which has been under fire in a woeful winless run. Avondale boast the most potent attack in the league with 31 goals—three more than the next-best, Heidelberg United.
But standing in their way is back-to-back Goalkeeper of the Year Javier Lopez, supported by 2023 Gold Medalist Jake Marshall, who’ll be tasked with anchoring South’s traditionally resolute backline.
The 2025 NPLM Round 12 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator:
NPLM Round 11 Matches
Friday May 2, 8:15pm: Oakleigh Cannons vs Heidelberg United @ Jack Edwards Reserve
Friday May 2, 8:15pm: Port Melbourne Sharks vs Altona Magic @ JL Murphy Reserve
Friday May 2, 8:30pm: Preston Lions vs Green Gully @ BT Connor Reserve
Saturday May 3, 3:00pm: Avondale vs South Melbourne @ Avenger Park
Sunday May 4, 3:00pm: St Albans Saints vs Dandenong Thunder @ Churchill Reserve
Sunday May 4, 3:00pm: Melbourne Knights vs Dandenong City @ Knights Stadium
Monday May 5, 8:30pm: Melbourne Victory vs Hume City @ The Home of The Matildas