The 2025 NPLM Round 14 Match of the Round
Preview
Round 14: Avondale v Oakleigh Cannons
Venue: Avenger Park, Parkville
Date/Time: Saturday 17 May 2025, 3:00pm
Round 14 of the NPLM delivers a blockbuster Match of the Round as second-placed Avondale host fourth-placed Oakleigh Cannons in a clash with major implications.
While the Avengers have started the season red-hot, winning 10 of their first 13 matches and boasting the league’s best goal difference (+21), losses to Heidelberg in Round 11 and a shock 5-2 loss to Green Gully last week has seen them drop from the top of the table for the first time since Round 2.
And the Cannons, who are sitting just outside the top three with a strong +16 goal differential and a stacked attacking lineup, will be looking to pounce on the suddenly shaky Avengers.
The firepower on display will be massive — Cannons captain Joe Guest leads the Golden Boot race with 11 goals, supported by the ever-dangerous Alex Salmon with five, who will be a big loss owing to a two-match suspension. On the other side, Avondale’s Manny Aguek continues to be a constant threat up front with eight goals to his name.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 20
Avondale: 13
Oakleigh Cannons: 6
Draws: 1
Last Time They Met
Round 1, Friday 7 February 2025, 8:15pm @ Jack Edwards Reserve, Oakleigh.
Oakleigh Cannons 1 (Kasumovic 47);
Avondale 2 (Tevere 14, Kamara 90+3).
Referee: Ross Clark.
Oakleigh Cannons: Nicholas Feely, Brodie Boyce, Jordan Hall, Jacob Tratt, Noah Holmes (Adem Duratovic 68), Cameron McGilp (Luke Mensink 88), Joe Guest, Kingsley Sinclair, Matthew Dench, Joseph Knowles, Asad Kasumovic (Harry Arnison 83); Coach: Chris Taylor; Cautions: Holmes 60, Guest 69, Sinclair 69.
Avondale: Thomas Manos, Daniel Edwards, Ayden Brice, Stefan Zinni (Jackson Courtney-Perkins 68), George Ott (Manyluak Aguek 46), Yitayew Towns, Stefan Valentini (Kur Kur 64), Kristian Trajceski (Joseph Katebian 64), Emlyn Wellsmore, Luca Tevere (Matthew Reid 90+5), Kalilou Kamara; Coach: Zoran Markovski; Cautions: Valentini 23, Katebian 71.
Key Matchup
The key battle in this Round 14 Match of the Round will unfold in the midfield, where control of the game could determine the outcome. Oakleigh skipper Joe Guest, the league’s leading goal scorer, will be central to the Cannons' push, combining with the composed Cam McGilp to drive play forward and dictate tempo.
But Avondale will back their engine room to rise to the occasion, with the dynamic Kristian Trajceski leading the charge. Supported by the creative spark of Luca Tevere and a well-drilled midfield unit, the Avengers will look to outwork and outplay Oakleigh through the middle.
The 2025 NPLM Round 14 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator: Joey Lynch & Mark Ivkovic
NPLM Round 14 Matches
Friday May 16, 7:30pm: Green Gully vs Dandenong Thunder @ Green Gully Reserve
Friday May 16, 7:30pm: Heidelberg United vs Melbourne Knights @ Olympic Village
Friday May 16, 8:30pm: Hume City vs Preston Lions @ Nasiol Stadium
Saturday May 17, 3:00pm: Avondale vs Oakleigh Cannons @ Avenger Park
Saturday May 17, 6:15pm: Altona Magic vs Melbourne Victory @ Paisley Park
Sunday May 18, 3:00pm: St Albans Saints vs Dandenong City @ Churchill Reserve
Sunday May 18, 5:00pm: South Melbourne vs Port Melbourne Sharks @ Lakeside Stadium