SIX rounds to play, four finals spots available, and nine teams left in the race. Everybody strap in for what is set to be an exhilarating end to the 2023 campaign!
Borrondara and South Melbourne affirmed their position in the top two on the weekend, while Southern and FV Emerging occupy the bottom two spots on the table.
Alamein and Heidelberg could have the advantage on the run home, having a game up their sleeve due to their Round 16 clash being postponed.
Box Hill claimed another win, along with Calder United, Bulleen had the bye creating a massive week of action to see who has the advantage with five weeks remaining.
Who's in the box seat, and who's facing an uphill battle to finish inside the four? Check out your club's finish to the season below.
1) Boroondara Eagles
29 points (nine wins, two draws, four losses), 18 goal difference.
Boroondara continued its fantastic season with an impressive 5-2 victory over Preston Lions.
On the run home, the Eagles only face two teams inside the top five teams, with the first clash coming this week against the rampaging Calder United.
The following week, the Eagles would fancy their chances against Southern United, followed by the bye.
After their break they will host Heidelberg who is still in contention for a top-four spot, however, if they continue their current form they should continue their charge for the NPLW Premiership.
FV Emerging always presents a tricky task, with so many young and exciting players, however this season with only two wins to their name, Boroondara should claim another three points.
To finish the season, Boroondara travels to face South Melbourne in a clash that could determine top-spot on the table come the end of the season.
The Run Home
- R17: Calder United @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R18: Southern United @ Veneto Club
- R19: BYE
- R20: Heidelberg United @ Veneto Club
- R21: FV Emerging @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R22: South Melbourne @ Dorset Recreation Reserve
2) South Melbourne
27 points (eight wins, there draws, three losses), 12 goal difference.
South Melbourne cemented its spot on the NPLW ladder last week with a 4-0 victory over top-four side Bayside United.
South's road to the end of the season isn't simple, facing five sides who are still vying for a top-four spot.
Despite sitting outside the top four, Box Hill, Alamein, and Preston all present a big test over the next three weeks with all sides having enough weapons to take home the three points.
When South comes up against Calder United in Round 20 both teams could be entrenched in the top four, creating a big clash on the eve of the finals serious.
South's biggest challenge comes in the last round of the season against Boroondara where both teams will be fighting for top spot and bragging rights heading into the finals.
The Run Home
- R17: Box Hill United @ Wembley Park
- R18: Alamein @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- R19: Preston Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R20: Calder United @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R21: Southern United @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R22: Boroondara Eagles @ Dorset Recreation Reserve
3) Bulleen Lions
27 points (seven wins, six draws, one loss), 8-goal difference.
Bulleen will be fresh and rejuvenated after the week off and is well and truly in the hunt for the top two.
This week they face fourth-placed Bayside United in another clash that will shape the finals race.
The following week, Bulleen hosts Box Hill United in its second of three home matches on the way home, as they finish the season at the Veneto Club against Southern United.
In Rounds 19-20, Bulleen hit the road to take on Alamein and Preston who will both still be trying to force their way into the top four. If they can claim vital points in these fixtures they should lock up their spot in the post-season.
Bulleen should make the final four, however, can still make the top two if results go their way on the run home.
The Run Home
- R17: Bayside United @ Veneto Club
- R18: Box Hill United @ Veneto Club
- R19: Alamein @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- R20: Preston Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R21: Calder United @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R22: Southern United @ Veneto Club
4) Bayside United
23 points (seven wins, two draws, six losses), -1 goal difference.
Bayside's finals aspirations took a hit last week with a big loss at the hands of South Melbourne.
This week they have a chance to get their season back on track with a game against the third-placed Bulleen Lions.
Following their week off, the exciting side takes on Box Hill which will be a tough game but could be crucial if they can pick up a point.
To end the season, Bayside face Alamein, Preston, and Calder at Kingston Heath - giving them the best possible chance to cement themselves in the top four come season's end.
The Run Home
- R17: Bulleen Lions @ Veneto Club
- R18: BYE
- R19: Box Hill United @ Wembley Park
- R20: Alamein @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R21: Preston Lions @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R22: Calder United @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
5) Calder United
22 points (six wins, four draws, four losses), 8-goal difference.
Calder United survived a scare from bottom-placed Southern United last week and is still on track to possibly finish in the top four.
This week, Calder travels to Preston in what will be a defensive battle, with Heidelberg awaiting the following week.
From Round 19, Calder has three home games in a row against FV Emerging, South Melbourne, and Bulleen Lions, if they can come away undefeated from that stretch, expect Calder to feature in the finals.
Calder United will take on fourth-placed Bayside United at Kingston Heath in their final game of the season - potentially fighting for fourth spot.
The Run Home
- R17: Preston Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R18: Heidelberg United @ TBC
- R19: FV Emerging @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R20: South Melbourne @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R21: Bulleen Lions @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R22: Bayside United @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
6) Box Hill United
22 points (seven wins, one draw, seven losses), -2 goal difference.
Box Hill United kept their finals hopes alive with a commanding victory over FV Emerging last week.
The run home is one of the most difficult with every single match against top four contenders.
In their remaining five matches, they play three at home with second-placed South Melbourne first-up this weekend.
Before their bye in Round 20, Box Hill also travels to the Veneto Club to face Bulleen and host Bayside at Wembley Park in a defining three-week stretch that will define their season.
To finish the season, they face Alamein and Preston in another tough two weeks, however, if their stars can get on a run, anything is possible.
The Run Home
- R17: South Melbourne @ Wembley Park
- R18: Bulleen Lions @ Veneto Club
- R19: Bayside United @ Wembley Park
- R20: BYE
- R21: Alamein @ Wembley Park
- R22: Preston Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
7) Heidelberg United
19 points (five wins, four draws, five losses), 3-goal difference.
The Bergers remain an outside chance to make the finals, sitting two victories outside the top four.
This week, the Lions travel to B.T. Connor Reserve to face Preston, who despite sitting ninth will be a tough matchup.
Heidelberg will remain confident of making the finals, having a game in hand on the competition; with their Round 16 clash postponed against Alamein to a later date.
On the run home, Heidelberg also faces Southern United and FV Emerging, who both can't be underestimated but as they currently occupy the bottom two spots, the Bergers would go into both games as favourites.
Heidelberg has as much chance as any to squeeze into the top four, however, will need to win the matches they are expected to and pick up some points against Preston, Calder, or Boroondara.
The Run Home
- R17: Preston Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R18: Calder United @ TBC
- R19: Southern United @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R20: Boroondara Eagles @ Veneto Club
- R21: BYE
- R22: FV Emerging @ Knox Regional Football Centre
8) Alamein
18 points (four wins, six draws, four losses), -3 goal difference.
This week, Alamein will be confident of a result against FV Emerging, however, their next four scheduled matches are all against fellow top-four contenders.
Although Alamein sits two wins outside the top four, they have a game in hand against Heidelberg due to their Round 16 match being postponed due to the condition of their pitch last weekend.
Including their postponed match, Alamein will have three matches played at their home ground and could go in as favourites in all games except their Round 18 match against South Melbourne.
Alamein can still reach the top four but will need to continue in its winning ways and pick up victories against the odds.
The Run Home
- R17: FV Emerging @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R18: South Melbourne @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- R19: Bulleen Lions @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- R20: Bayside United @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R21: Box Hill United @ Wembley Park
- R22: BYE
9) Preston Lions
18 points (four wins, six draws, four losses), 0 goal difference.
Preston didn't do their finals hopes any favours last weekend, going down to Boroondara 5-2.
Although the Lions sit ninth on the table, they still have a good chance to make the finals, having a game in hand as opposed to a number of their competitors.
This week, they could go into their clash with Heidelberg as favourites at home, while they then hit the road to face the second-last FV Emerging.
Their last four matches are against contenders for the final four, making it a make-or-break month for Preston.
Preston has three matches at home in their last six matches, with victory paramount if they want to make the finals.
The Run Home
- R17: Heidelberg United @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R18: FV Emerging @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R19: Alamein @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
- R20: Bulleen Lions @ B.T. Connor Reserve
- R21: Bayside United @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
- R22: Box Hill United @ B.T. Connor Reserve
10) FV Emerging
11 points (two wins, five draws, seven losses), -11 goal difference.
FV Emerging has had a different season to last, with a host of new players.
Every week, the young guns put up a fight and would confident of claiming at least another victory on the way home with five matches at home from their last six.
In Round 20, Emerging hit the road to face Southern United in their most realistic chance at victory, however with their exciting style of play, they could surprise some teams on the run home.
Emerging will most likely finish where they currently sit with ninth place sitting over two wins above them on the table.
The Run Home
- R17: Alamein @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R18: Preston Lions @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R19: Calder United @ Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
- R20: Southern United @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R21: Boroondara Eagles @ Knox Regional Football Centre
- R22: Heidelberg United @ Knox Regional Football Centre
11) Southern United
2 points (0 wins, two draws, 13 losses), -32 goal difference.
Southern United has the bye this weekend, followed by the tough task of facing Boroondara away in Round 18.
From Rounds 19-21, Southern will enjoy three weeks of home matches, with FV Emerging in Round 20 their most likely avenue to victory for the remainder of the season.
Southern continues to improve and edge closer to claiming their first three points, however, with a tough stretch after their bye, a bottom-placed finish looms likely.
The Run Home
- R17: BYE
- R18: Boroondara Eagles @ Veneto Club
- R19: Heidelberg United @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R20: FV Emerging @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R21: South Melbourne @ Selandra Recreation Reserve
- R22: Bulleen Lions @ Veneto Club