The 2025 NPLW Match of the Round Preview
Round 17: Preston Lions v FV Academy
Venue: Genis Steel Stadium
Date/Time: Sunday, July 27 3PM
Preston and FV Academy sit neck and neck on the table — Preston in 9th, FV Academy just behind in 10th. A win for the Academy won’t be enough to leapfrog the 2024 Grand Finalists, but it will bring them within striking distance — just one win away.
FV Academy enters the match riding high after a dominant win over Brunswick Juventus, while Preston edged out bottom-placed Bentleigh in a scrappy 1-0 result.
A big result for the Academy could shrink the gap between the bottom two and Preston to just three points, turning the heat up in the battle to avoid the drop.
After such a strong campaign in 2024, relegation would be a major blow for Preston and this clash might just decide if they pull clear or get dragged deeper into danger.
Adding extra fuel to the fire, FV Academy coach Santi Escudero and several of his players are fresh off winning the CommBank Emerging Matildas U16s title giving the young squad plenty of confidence heading into the match.
Last time these two teams met? A thrilling 2-2 draw, with both sides nearly stealing it at the death. Expect another tight battle this weekend.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 7
Preston: 1
FV Academy: 3
Draws: 3
Last Time They Met
Saturday May 3 2025, 3:00pm
The Home of The Matildas, Bundoora
FV Academy 2 (2 Aitken, 52 Westaway) - 2 Preston Lions (64 Narita, 79 Yamada)
Referee: Benjamin Howell Assistant Referees: Daniel Collins and Jamie Azzopardi Fourth Official: Daniel Faircloth
FV Academy: Charlotte Hrehoresin, Annabelle Yates, Amelia Tartaglia, Jade Tam, Ehva Gutszmit, Chelsea Biggs (Gracie Clarkson 84), Kaya Jugovic, Alice Francou (Keira Sarris 84), Fiorina Iaria (Eva Kokotis 57), Clancy Westaway, Lara Aitken (Anika Dovaston 46) Coach: Santi Escudero
Preston Lions: Sophie Dehne, Elle Talevski (Summer Caponecchia 57), Emma Checker, Larni Giudice (Molly-May Ramsay 71), Ellie La Monte (Miri Nishimura 57), Eva Harrington, Eliza Ammendolia, Mizuho Yamada, Eri Narita (Mia Power 71), Valentine Pursey (Ellie Vlaeminck 57), Georgia Henderson Coach: Daniel Foden
Watch The Last Time They Met!
The Key Matchup: Georgia Henderson v Poppy O'Keefe
This Round 18 clash is shaping up to be a crucial one, with both Preston and FV Academy desperate for three points on the run home.
For the home side, captain Georgia Henderson will play a pivotal role. Sitting second on Preston’s golden boot tally with four goals, Henderson brings physicality, control, and leadership in the middle of the park. She’ll be supported by Round 17 goal scorer Emily Roach and Japanese playmaker Miri Nishimura, but it’s the captain’s performance that could set the tone.
On the other side, Poppy O’Keeffe has slotted seamlessly into the FV Academy midfield since returning in the mid-season window. Her ball control, composure, and technical quality have stood out — effectively filling the void left by departing skipper Ehva Gutszmit.
With both sides needing a result, this midfield duel could be what decides the match.
Commentator: Dan Lonergan
The 2025 NPLW Round 18 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
NPLW Round 17 Matches
- Friday 25 July, 7:30pm: Box Hill United v Heidelberg United @ Wembley Park
- Friday 25 July, 8:30pm: Spring Hills v South Melbourne @ Springside Recreation Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 3:00pm: Brunswick Juventus v Alamein @ CB Smith Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 3:00pm: Essendon Royals v Boroondara Eagles @ Cross Keys Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 4:00pm: FC Bulleen Lions v Bentleigh Greens vs @ Veneto Club
- Sunday 27 July, 3:00pm: Preston Lions v FV Academy @ Genis Steel Stadium