As we approach the final round of the NPLW home-and-away season, instead of focusing on a single match we’ll examine every fixture and explore the potential implications of each win and loss.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of this weekend's NPLW Super Saturday.
Essendon Royals v Heidelberg United
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Cross Keys Reserve
Heidelberg has already secured the 2025 NPLW Premiership with two games to spare, but they’ll still be aiming to finish the season strong and head into the finals with momentum. The challenge for the Bergers is that this will be their third game in a week after last Sunday’s loss to Bulleen and a midweek trip to Genis Steel Stadium for their rescheduled Round 21 match.
For Essendon, there is plenty at stake. Claiming the three points with a win could raise them into third place, but they would need Preston to claim a result against Box Hill.
Bentleigh Greens v FV Academy
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Kingston Heath Reserve
Bentleigh Greens have the opportunity with a win to leapfrog their opponents on goal difference. A loss or draw, however, would see them finish in the bottom two.
For the FV Academy, this is their final NPLW match following the recent announcement that they will be removed from the top flight. After last week’s victory over Boroondara, the squad will be aiming to finish on a high note and celebrate a 13-year senior squad legacy spanning the NTC/Emerging/Academy program, which has produced players like Kyra Cooney-Cross, Adriana Taranto, and Alana Jancevski. A win would see the Academy finish 10th, possibly three points off Preston in ninth who come into this round two wins adrift.
Spring Hills v Alamein
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Springside Recreation Reserve
Spring Hills enter this clash in eighth place. A win could lift them to seventh if Boroondara lose to South Melbourne. Alamein, meanwhile, can move up to fifth place with a victory, but only if South Melbourne slip up in their clash with Boroondara, leaving finals just out of reach for them.
Bulleen Lions v Brunswick Juventus
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Veneto Club
Bulleen host Brunswick at home with a home semi-final up for grabs. A win against bottom-placed Brunswick would secure second place and a home final, with Heidelberg already out of reach in first. A draw could see Bulleen level on points with Box Hill, but their superior goal difference (+7) would give them confidence of staying in the top two. For Brunswick, there’s little room to move up the table, but an upset victory could lift them to 11th place and potentially send the Greens to last if they can't beat FV Academy.
Box Hill United v Preston Lions
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Wembley Park
Box Hill have their fate in their own hands with one game remaining. They are already locked into the finals, but a win could see them rise as high as second place if Bulleen slip up. Conversely, a loss to Preston could see them drop to fourth, depending on Essendon claiming all three points.
After a strong 2024 season, which included appearances in the Nike FC Cup and NPLW Finals, Preston will be aiming to finish the year on a high and secure their seventh win of 2025. They are locked in ninth place, five points behind Spring Hills and six points ahead of the FV Academy.
Boroondara Eagles v South Melbourne
Saturday April 30, 3:00pm, Wilcox Field
Boroondara enter this clash in seventh place. A win could see them move up to sixth if Alamein slip up, with just three points separating the sides and a six-goal difference. A loss could see the Eagles drop to eighth, as only one point separates them from Spring Hills, who could move ahead if they beat Alamein.
South Melbourne come into the game in fifth place. They cannot climb higher with a win, but a loss could see them drop to sixth, depending on Alamein’s result. After claiming the 2025 Nike FC Cup, South will be determined to finish strong and secure a top-five finish.