The 2025 NPLM Match of the Round Preview
Round 23: Heidelberg United v South Melbourne
Venue: Olympic Village
Date/Time: Saturday, July 26 4PM
Two weeks out from a Dockerty Cup Final showdown, two of Victoria’s most iconic clubs go head-to-head at Olympic Village in a massive Match of the Round!
Both sides come in confident after winning their Australia Cup Round of 32 clashes — but with two matches in a week, will they rotate their squads or risk fatigue?
For Heidelberg, Ben Collins has led superbly from the back, supported by Jamal Ali and the ever-reliable Yaren Sozer in goal. Up front, Bul Jauch is in red-hot form, topping the Golden Boot race with 17 goals.
South Melbourne's Max Mikkola and Nahuel Bonada (five goals each) have been key contributors — but they’ll need more assistance up front if they’re to break the league’s stingiest defence.
If South are serious about finals, a result here is non-negotiable. For the Bergers? There’s a golden chance to derail their arch-rival’s season.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 121
Heidelberg United: 40
South Melbourne: 57
Draws: 24
Last Time They Met
Sunday April 13 2025, 5:00pm
Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park
South Melbourne 0-3 Heidelberg United (Lesiotis 58, Jauch 70, Yokokawa 84)
Referee: Lachlan Keevers Assistant Referees: Jordon English and Matteo Brazzale Fourth Official: Ioannis Zisis
South Melbourne: Javier Lopez, Jordon Lampard, Jake Marshall, Lucas Inglese, Andy Brennan (Andrew Mesourouni 73), Cooper Halfpenny (Nahuel Bonada 53), Robert Harding (Marco Jankovic 63), Maximilian Mikkola, Morgan Evans (George Mells 73), Jack Painter-Andrews, Jack Pope Coach: Esteban Quintas
Heidelberg United: Yaren Sozer, Benjamin Collins, Jamal Ali, Anthony Lesiotis (Jay McGowan 83), Fletcher Fulton (Dalibor Markovic 85), Cherif Mohamed Aidara, Bul Juach (Chok Dau 83), Sebit James Ngor, Ryan Lethlean, Asahi Yokokawa, Max Bisetto (Peter Klaassen 67) Coach: John Anastasiadis
Watch the Last Time They Met!
The Key Matchup: Jake Marshall v Bul Juach
Bul Juach is having a standout season, leading the NPLM Golden Boot race with 17 goals — three clear of Cannons captain Joe Guest. Alongside Sabit Ngor (4 goals), and the attacking threats of Asahi Yokokawa and Jamal Ali (8 goals), Heidelberg bring serious firepower into this clash.
But South Melbourne, traditionally one of the league’s top defensive outfits, will back themselves with everything on the line. With captain Marco Jankovic unavailable due to suspension, the responsibility at the back falls to Jake Marshall. The 2023 NPLM Gold Medalist will lead the side and look to step up in Marco’s absence. If South’s defence can contain Heidelberg’s attacking threats, this one could go either way.
Commentator: Oscar Rutherford & Adem Saricaoglu
The 2025 NPLW Round 18 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
NPLM Round 23 Matches
- Friday 25 July, 7:30pm: Green Gully vs St Albans Saints @ Green Gully Reserve
- Friday 25 July, 7:45pm: Dandenong City vs Oakleigh Cannons @ Frank Holohan Soccer Complex
- Friday 25 July, 8:30pm: Preston Lions v Melbourne Victory @ Genis Steel Stadium
- Friday 25 July, 8:30pm: Hume City v Port Melbourne @ Nasiol Stadium
- Saturday 26 July, 3:15pm: Altona Magic v Avondale @ Paisley Park
- Saturday 26 July, 4:00pm: Heidelberg United v South Melbourne @ Olympic Village
- Saturday 26 July, 7:00pm: Dandenong Thunder v Melbourne Knights @ George Andrews Reserve