The 2025 NPLW Match of the Round Preview
Round 16: Preston Lions v Boroondara Eagles
Venue: Genis Steel Stadium
Date/Time: Friday 11 July 2025, 8:00pm
There’s plenty to play for in the NPLW Match of the Round, as ninth-placed Preston Lions host fifth-placed Boroondara Eagles at Genis Steel Stadium.
Preston will be out to prove they still belong among the competition’s elite as the season heads into its final stretch.
Last year, the Lions made both the Nike FC Cup Final and the NPLW Grand Final, falling just short on both occasions but cementing themselves as a top contender.
Fast forward to Round 16, and they sit in ninth place — slipping further from the top four with each passing week.
But Dan Foden’s side still packs plenty of firepower. Import Valentine Pursey sits second in the Golden Boot race with 10 goals, while captain Georgia Henderson has added four of her own this season.
Boroondara, meanwhile, are mere goal difference outside the top four and could leap into finals contention with a win. Led by former Gold Medalist Candela Bas — who has netted six times this season — the Eagles have the weapons to cause serious damage.
There’s a lot on the line for both sides under the Friday night lights.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 11
Preston Lions: 8
Boroondara Eagles: 3
Draws: 0
Last Time They Met
Round 5, Saturday 12 April 2025, 4:00pm @ Veneto Club.
Boroondara Eagles 2 (Savarirayan 22, Collier 58);
Preston Lions 0.
Referee: Angelique Katsalas.
Boroondara Eagles: Mia Mossman, Emily Collier, Kanako Higuchi, Hayley Geurts (Zoe Bennett 76), Priya Savarirayan (Cicily Paraskevas 89), Candela Ferreyra Bas, Felicity Georgopoulos (Ellen Turner 69), Angeliki Houndalas, Saki Nagai (Rachel Stirton 76), Drew Dempsey, Madeleine Rees; Coach: Luka Vah; Cautions: Houndalas 30.
Preston Lions: Sophie Dehne, Elle Talevski (Larni Giudice 46), Molly-May Ramsay (Miri Nishimura 46), Emma Checker, Eva Harrington (Summer Caponecchia 74), Eliza Ammendolia (Ellie La Monte 46), Elaina Vatcky (Ellie Vlaeminck 59), Mizuho Yamada, Eri Narita, Valentine Pursey, Georgia Henderson; Coach: Daniel Foden; Cautions: Narita 32, 45+2. Sent off: Narita 45+2.
Watch the last time they met
The Key Matchup: Hayley Guerts v Mebae Tanaka
The NPLW Match of the Round shapes as a classic battle between defender and attacker.
Boroondara captain Hayley Guerts is coming off a standout performance that earned her a spot in the Team of the Week — and a Goal of the Week nomination for her stunning strike from the corner against Spring Hills.
She’ll need to lead from the front once again to contain Preston’s mid-season signing Mebae Tanaka, who found the net last week against Essendon.
The pacey winger earned an A-League contract with Wellington Phoenix off the back of her strong form for Preston last year. Can she build on her scoring run and continue to wreak havoc — or will captain Guerts shut her down and help steer the Eagles into the top four?
The 2025 NPLW Round 16 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator:
Ross Papadakis
NPLW Round 16 Matches
Friday 11 July, 7:30pm: Box Hill United vs FV Academy @ Wembley Park
Friday 11 July, 8:30pm: Preston Lions vs Boroondara Eagles @ Genis Steel Stadium
Friday 11 July, 8:30pm: Spring Hills vs Bentleigh Greens @ Springside Recreational Reserve
Saturday 12 July, 3:00pm: Brunswick Juventus vs South Melbourne @ CB Smith Reserve
Saturday 12 July, 4:00pm: Bulleen Lions vs Essendon Royals @ Veneto Club
Saturday 12 July, 4:15pm: Heidelberg United vs Alamein @ Olympic Village