FIVE rounds to play, everybody strap in for what is set to be an exhilarating end to the 2023 campaign!
Avondale has looked invincible this season, however, the top spot is not locked in with South Melbourne and Oakleigh hot on their heels.
The race for the top six is heating-up with Green Gully, Altona, Dandenong, and even Hume an outside chance.
Bentleigh only sits now point one point from the bottom two, can they do enough to avoid going down?
Who's in the box seat, and who's facing an uphill battle to finish inside the top? Check out your club's finish to the season below.
1) Avondale
56 points (18 wins, two draws, one loss), 52 goal difference.
The Avengers continued in their winning ways last weekend, defeating Dandenong 5-1.
In Round 22, Avondale takes on Heidelberg, who will pose a challenge, but should come home with the three points.
The following week, the ladder leaders take on St Albans in another winnable game but face a difficult fortnight proceeding their clash with the Saints.
In Round 24, Avondale travel to Jack Edwards Reserve to face the second-place Cannons, and then host South Melbourne in a two-week stretch that will decide their season.
A first-place finish is still almost likely for Avondale, but they will need to bring their best football to close out the season.
The Run Home
- R22: Heidelberg United @ John Cain Memorial Park
- R23: St Albans Saints @ Churchill Reserve
- R24: Oakleigh Cannons @ Jack Edwards Reserve
- R25: South Melbourne @ Avenger Park
- R26: Bentleigh Greens @ Avenger Park
2) Oakleigh Cannons
51 points (16 wins, three draws, two losses), 35 goal difference.
The Cannons jumped up to second place after securing a commanding victory over Bentleigh last weekend.
In Round 22, Oakleigh hit the road to take on Port Melbourne in a scintillating top-five battle.
The following week, the Magic awaits at Paisley Park in another tough challenge, although Oakleigh will go into the clash as favourites against the sixth-placed side.
Oakleigh would be confident in claiming a result against Moreland City and North Geelong in their last two weeks, but their Round 24 clash with Avondale might ultimately decide if they can claim the second spot at the season's end.
The Run Home
- R22: Port Melbourne @ JL Murphy Reserve
- R23: Altona Magic @ Paisley Park
- R24: Avondale @ Jack Edwards Reserve
- R25: North Geelong Warriors @ Elcho Park
- R26: Moreland City @ Jack Edwards Reserve
3) South Melbourne
50 points (16 wins, two draws, two losses), 24 goal difference.
South Melbourne slipped to third place this week after managing only a draw against Hume City last Sunday.
This week, South travel to Kingston Heath to take on Bentleigh Greens, who will be a tough opponent as they have everything to play for, only sitting one point outside the bottom two.
A difficult three weeks await Souith following their clash with the Greens, taking on fellow top-six sides Bentleigh Greens, Port Melbourne, and Avondale.
South will be hoping to head into finals full of confidence as they come up against bottom-placed North Geelong in the final round of the season.
A top three-finish is locked in for the storied club, but they can still jump as high as first if things fall their way.
The Run Home
- R22: Bentleigh Greens @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R23 Port Melbourne @ JL Murphy Reserve
- R24: Altona Magic @ Paisley Park
- R25: Avondale @ Avenger Park
- R26: North Geelong Warriors @ Elcho Park
4) Melbourne Knights
38 points (11 wins, five draws, five losses), 15 goal difference.
The Knights took care of business last week, defeating North Geelong 3-0 on the road.
This week, they would be confident of claiming another three points as they come up against 13th-placed Moreland City, although despite their ladder position, they can't be underestimated as they took Green Gully to the limit last week, drawing 1-1.
A road trip to Green Gully is next on the agenda, and with the Cavaliers desperate to climb back into the top six this match will have plenty riding on it.
In the final three rounds of the season, the Knights take on eighth, ninth, and tenth (Dandenong, Hume, Heidelberg) on the ladder - all who can be dangerous on their day but they should be too strong and finish the season entrenched in the top six.
The Run Home
- R22: Moreland City @ Knights Stadium
- R23 Green Gully @ Green Gully Reserve
- R24: Hume City @ Hume City Stadium
- R25: Dandenong Thunder @ George Andrews Reserve
- R26: Heidelberg United @ Olympic Village
5 ) Port Melbourne
37 points (11 wins, four draws, six losses), 17 goal difference.
Port Melbourne continues to look like a finals outfit after defeating St Albans 2-0 last week to sit comfortably in fifth position.
The next to weeks will be their toughest on the run home (Oakleigh, South Melbourne) and if they can manufacture a result, they should lock in a finals spot.
The Sharks will go into their Round 24-25 matches as favourites against Bentleigh and Hume City, but face a tricky end to the season against Altona Magic.
Port Melbourne should feature in the pointy end of the season and can finish as high as fourth if fortune goes their way.
The Run Home
- R22: Oakleigh Cannons @ JL Murphy Reserve
- R23 South Melbourne @ JL Murphy Reserve
- R24: Bentleigh Greens @Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R25: Hume City @ Hume City Stadium
- R26: Altona Magic @ JL Murphy Reserve
6)Altona Magic
32 points (10 wins, two draws, nine losses), -3 goal difference.
Altona helped their finals chances last week with a 3-2 victory over Heidelberg United.
The Magic returned to the top six last week and can cement their spot with a victory over St Albans this week at Churchill Reserve.
Following their clash with the Saints, Altona takes on Oakleigh and South Melbourne in a very tough fortnight of football.
To end the season, Altona hosts Bentleigh in a very winnable game and Port Melbourne on the road.
Altona's fate is in their hands and with three matches at home they have every chance of playing finals football.
The Run Home
- R22: St Albans Saints @ Churchill Reserve
- R23 Oakleigh Cannons @ Paisley Park
- R24: South Melbourne @ Paisley Park
- R25: Bentleigh Greens @ Paisley Park
- R26: Port Melbourne @ JL Murphy Reserve
7) Green Gully
31 points (10 wins, one draw, 10 losses), 10 goal difference.
Green Gully let a golden opportunity slip last week to ensure their spot in the top six, drawing with 13th-placed Moreland City.
This week, the Cavaliers will go into their clash with Hume City as favourites, which will set up an interesting final month for the Gully.
Melbourne Knights will be a tough challenge in Round 23, while the Thunder and Heidelberg could still be in the finals race, making the matches a must-win for both sides.
To end the season, Green Gully would be confident of securing a result against St Albans, but they won't want their fate to come down to the last round.
The Run Home
- R22: Hume City @ Hume City Stadium
- R23 Melbourne Knights @ Green Gully Reserve
- R24: Dandenong Thunder @ George Andrews Reserve
- R25: Heidelberg United @ Green Gully Reserve
- R26: St Albans Saints @ Churchill Reserve
8) Dandenong Thunder
24 points (seven wins, three draws, 11 losses), -8 goal difference.
Dandenong was comprehensively defeated by Avondale last week, putting a dent in their finals aspirations.
The Thunder should remain in the hunt for at least a few more weeks, with games against North Geelong and Moreland in the coming weeks.
Their fate will be decided in two big games against Green Gully and the Melbourne Knights in Rounds 24-25.
In the last round of the season, Dandenong would be confident of securing the three points when they host Hume City.
The Run Home
- R22: North Geelong Warriors @ George Andrews Reserve
- R23 Moreland City @ CB Smith Reserve
- R24: Green Gully @ George Andrews Reserve
- R25: Melbourne Knights @ Knights Stadium
- R26: Hume City @ George Andrews Reserve
9) Hume City
21 points (five wins, six draws, 10 losses), -4 goal difference.
Hume City provided a spirited late-season performance in Round 21, drawing with South Melbourne at McIvor Reserve.
This week, Hume hosts Green Gully in a tough matchup against finals hopeful, however, the next week they would like their chances of victory against Bentleigh.
In the final three rounds, Hume City play two matches at home which will give them a good chance at victory but will go in as underdogs against the Knights and Port Melbourne.
The Run Home
- R22: Green Gully @ Hume City Stadium
- R23 Bentleigh Greens @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R24: Melbourne Knights @ Hume City Stadium
- R25: Port Melbourne @ Hume City Stadium
- R26: Dandenong Thunder @ George Andrews Reserve
10) Heidelberg United
20 points (five wins, five draws, 10 losses), -17 goal difference.
Heidelberg just came up short last week in an impressive showing against Altona.
This week, their finals hopes could ultimately come to an end if they are unable to get a result against the ladder-leading Avondale.
In the following two weeks, they hit the road to take on Moreland City and North Geelong in two winnable games.
If they are still in the finals race, their last two matches against Green Gully and the Knights will make things interesting.
The Run Home
- R22: Avondale @ John Cain Memorial Park
- R23 North Geelong Warriors @ Elcho Park
- R24: Moreland City @ CB Smith Reserve
- R25: Green Gully @ Green Gully Reserve
- R26: Melbourne Knights @ Olympic Village
11) St Albans Saints
16 points (four wins, four draws, 13 losses), -26 goal difference.
St Albans was defeated by Port Melbourne last week, but should still be safe from the relegation battle.
In Round 22, the Saints host Altona Magic, followed by Avondale in a difficult stretch of matches.
St Albans' season will be decided in their following two-week stretch against North Geelong and Moreland City, where they will be confident of claiming a crucial six points in these fixtures.
A middle-of-the-table finish could be the Saints' fate, but if they lose their winnable games, they could find themselves in trouble.
The Run Home
- R22: Altona Magic @ Churchill Reserve
- R23 Avondale @ Churchill Reserve
- R24: North Geelong Warriors @ Churchill Reserve
- R25: Moreland City @ CB Smith Reserve
- R26: Green Gully @ Churchill Reserve
12) Bentleigh Greens
14 points (four wins, two draws, 15 losses), -21 goal difference.
Bentleigh tried hard last week against Oakleigh but ultimately lost 3-1 to the defending Champions.
This week, they face another massive test, coming up against South Melbourne who are still in the race for the Premiership.
The Greens' next three matches will be played at home, giving them the best possible chance to escape the relegation battle.
A winnable match against Hume City awaits Bentleigh in a fortnight, but their last two matches will be difficult,
To end the season, Bentleigh hit the road to take on finals aspirant Altona and top-of-the-table Avondale, if they can pick a point or two up in these fixtures, they should be safe.
The Run Home
- R22: South Melbourne @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R23 Hume City @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R24: Port Melbourne @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R25: Altona Magic @ Paisley Park
- R26: Avondale @ Avenger Park
13) Moreland City
13 points (three wins, four draws, 14 losses), -33 goal difference.
Moreland City pulled off a terrific performance last week, drawing against Green Gully to gain an important point.
Their remaining five fixtures will all be difficult but with everything on the line, anything is possible.
Looking at the ladder, Moreland will fancy their chances of gaining a possible victory against St Albans or Heidelberg in rounds 24-25.
A bottom-two finish looks likely for Moreland, but they could easily find themselves in the NPLM next season.
The Run Home
- R22: Melbourne Knights @ Knights Stadium
- R23 Dandenong Thunder @ CB Smith Reserve
- R24: Heidelberg United @ CB Smith Reserve
- R25: St Albans Saints @ CB Smith Reserve
14) North Geelong Warriors
13 points (four wins, one draw, 16 losses), -41 goal difference.
North Geelong was defeated by the Knights last week, sending them to the bottom of the table.
Over the next three weeks, the Warriors face sides outside the top six, giving them a possible chance of sneaking out of the bottom two.
North Geelong ends the season with matches against Oakleigh and South Melbourne who are still fighting for the top spot, meaning the hard yards will need to be done in the weeks before to ensure safety.
The Run Home
- R22: Dandenong Thunder @ George Andrews Reserve
- R23 Heidelberg United @ Elcho Park
- R24: St Albans @ Churchill Reserve
- R25:Oakleigh Cannons @ Elcho Park
- R26: South Melbourne @ Elcho Park