The 2025 NPLM Round 13 Match of the Round
Preview
Round 13: Altona Magic v Melbourne Knights
Venue: Paisley Park
Date/Time: Saturday 10 May 2025, 6:15pm
This week’s Match of the Round shapes up as a crucial clash at the lower end of the table, with 13th-placed Altona Magic hosting 11th-placed Melbourne Knights in a game that could have major implications in the relegation fight.
The Knights hit the road with a slight edge in form — claiming three wins so far this season compared to Magic’s one, but both sides know the pressure is building as we approach the halfway point of the campaign.
Ciaran Bramwell leads the scoring for Melbourne Knights with four goals, while three other teammates have chipped in with two goals each — offering some balance across the frontline. On the other side, Balil Habib and Anthony Frangie are the key goal threats for Altona, both sitting on two goals this season.
With points at a premium and the ladder tightening near the bottom, both teams will be desperate for a result that could help steer them clear of danger heading into the second half of the year.
Expect a tense, hard-fought contest at Paisley Park.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 25
Altona Magic: 9
Melbourne Knights: 8
Draws: 8
Last Time They Met
Friday July 19 2024, 7:30pm Knights Stadium Sunshine
Melbourne Knights 2 (Far 38, Albano 67)
Altona Magic 1 (Haji 62)
Referee: Ross Clark Assistant Referees: Leo Crnogorcevic and Bayley Pennuto Fourth Official: Momcilo Veselinov
Melbourne Knights: Benjamin Carrigan, Ivan Franjic, Steve Whyte, Gian Albano, Tomas Karlovic (John Mabok 84), Jack Morton, Thomas Woerndl (Corey Sewell 65), Joseph Franjic, Saif-Eddine Sakhi (Mitch Hore 74), Hatim Far (Ciaran Bramwell 74)
Coach: Ivan Franjic
Altona Magic: Christian Rossi, Jordan Dellidis, Aaron O'Driscoll, Nathan Liberto (Filip Jovcevski 79), Stephen Lawless, Saad Moukachar, Bul Juach, Alexander Gust, Mohammed Elhawli (Matias Gonzalez 46), Daniel Fabrizio, Ismail Haji (Ashton Georgieski 90+1)
Coach: Goran Lozanovski
Watch the last time they met!
Key Matchup:
It’s a crucial matchup at the bottom end of the table as Altona Magic host Melbourne Knights in the NPLM Round 13 Match of the Round.
One of the key battles to watch will be between Knights’ leading goal scorer Ciaran Bramwell and Magic’s standout defender Taofiq Olomowewe. Bramwell has found the back of the net four times this season and remains a constant threat in the final third.
But standing in his way is the imposing English centre-back Olomowewe, who’s already earned Team of the Week honours and continues to be a rock in Altona’s backline. His ability to shut down Bramwell could play a major role in determining the outcome of this clash.
The 2025 NPLM Round 13 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator: Steve Curtain & Peter Paleologos
NPLM Round 13 Matches
Friday May 9, 7:30pm: Green Gully vs Avondale @ Green Gully Reserve
Friday May 9, 7:30pm: Heidelberg United v Port Melbourne @ Olympic Village
Friday May 9, 7:45pm: Dandenong City v Melbourne Victory @ Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
Saturday May 10, 6:15pm: Altona Magic v Melbourne Knights @ Paisley Park
Sunday May 10, 7:00pm: Dandenong Thunder v Preston Lions @ George Andrews Reserve
Sunday May 10, 7:00pm: Hume City v St Albans Saints @ Nasiol Stadium
Sunday May 11, 5:00pm: South Melbourne vs Oakleigh Cannons @ Lakeside Stadium