The 2025 NPLM Round 15 Match of the Round
Preview
Round 15: Melbourne Knights v South Melbourne
Venue: Tompsett Stadium
Date/Time: Friday, May 23, 7:30pm
Two of Victorian football’s most iconic clubs. One massive clash.
This Friday night, the NPLM Match of the Round delivers a blockbuster as South Melbourne hosts Melbourne Knights in a high-stakes battle with major implications for 2026 and beyond.
The original Melbourne derby is normally reserved for a top-of-the-table clash, but both clubs arrive on the back of some woeful form.
South, the reigning 2024 NPLM Premiers find themselves in uncharted territory—sitting 13th and on a club-record 12-match winless streak. Just below them in 14th are traditional rivals Melbourne Knights, only separated by goal difference and without a win since March, and just one in their past nine.
With three clubs set to be relegated to VPL1 in 2025, the stakes have never been higher. The loser of this clash faces an even steeper uphill battle to avoid the drop.
The Knights welcome the return of a club legend in John Markovski, who will take charge of his first match as Head Coach. Across the techincal areas, Sinisa Cohadzic, appointed to lead South Melbourne for the remainder of the season, is still chasing his first league win.
With both clubs in unfamiliar territory, who will come out on top in this potential relegation battle?
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 145
Melbourne Knights: 40
South Melbourne: 73
Draws: 32
Last Time They Met
Monday February 17 2025, 7:30pm
Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
South Melbourne 3 (Mells 33, Bonada 37, Moller 67), Melbourne Knights (Petheriotis 65)
Referee: Ioannis Zisis
Assistant Referees: Marc Tito and Benjamin Lepileo
Fourth Official: Ugur Arslan
South Melbourne: Javier Lopez, Jordon Lampard, Marco Jankovic, Jake Marshall, Andy Brennan (Luca Durso 59), George Mells, Ross Archibald (Jack Pope 59), Maximilian Mikkola (Robert Harding 86), Morgan Evans (Gustav Möller 64), Nahuel Bonada, Jack Painter-Andrews
Coach: Esteban Quintas
Melbourne Knights: Chris Oldfield, Benjamin Carrigan, Stefan Brecevic (Anthony Duzel 46), Alexander Hird, Leo Mazis (Joshua Karantz 29, Marc Petheriotis 46), Steve Whyte (Jack Morton 71), Ciaran Bramwell, Stephan Lawless, Kaine Sheppard (Joseph Franjic 83), Masatou Chiba, Miguel Cunha
Coach: Ivan Franjic
Watch the last time they met!
Key Matchup: Knights Attack v South Defence
This shapes up as one of the biggest fixtures of the season, with two of Victoria’s traditional powerhouses locked in a fierce battle at the foot of the NPLM ladder.
Melbourne Knights showed signs of resurgence last week, pushing league-leaders Heidelberg United all the way in a narrow 2-1 defeat. Ciaran Bramwell continues to be a focal point in attack, taking his season tally to five goals, while Stephen Lawless and Fraser Dunlop (2 goals) remain consistent threats going forward.
For South Melbourne, defence will be key. Once the hallmark of their success, the backline must rediscover its form to secure a clean sheet. Jordan Lampard and Marco Jankovic have the quality and experience to steady the ship—but they’ll need to be at their best to contain the Knights' firepower.
The 2025 NPLM Round 15 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator:
NPLM Round 15 Matches
Friday May 23, 7:30pm: Melbourne Knights v South Melbourne @ Tompsett Stadium
Friday May 23, 8:15pm: Port Melbourne v Avondale @ JL Murphy Reserve
Friday May 23, 8:15pm: Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully @ Jack Edwards Reserve
Friday May 23, 8:30pm: Preston Lions v Dandenong City @ Genis Steel Stadium
Saturday May 24, 7:00pm: Dandenong Thunder @ George Andrews Reserve
Sunday May 25, 3:00pm: St Albans Saints v Altona Magic @ Churchill Reserve
Sunday May 25, 3:00pm: Melbourne Victory v Heidelberg United @ The Home of The Matildas