After months of thrilling men’s football action, we are gearing up for our final round of the season – and there is still so much on the line for many of our clubs across the National Premier League Mens (NPLM) and Victorian Premier League Mens (VPLM).
This weekend, we are happy to confirm that, as well as streaming every NPLM and NPLW match on the NPL YouTube channel, we will also be streaming five crucial VPLM1 and VPLM2 matches on the Football Victoria YouTube channel.
While we would encourage you to get down and cheer on your local sides as they look to finish the regular season strong, rest easy knowing the biggest matches this weekend will be watchable, live and free on our YouTube channels.
Let’s break down some of the matches coming your way this weekend.
VPLM1
Bentleigh Greens vs Northcote City – Sunday 3pm @ Kingston Heath
The VPLM1 Premiership is on the line for Bentleigh on Sunday against Northcote City.
A win for the Greens, who currently sit one point clear on top, would put it to bed. But things get dicey from there if they can’t get the win.
A draw over Northcote and a win to either Melbourne City or Caroline Springs George Cross and Bentleigh could fall as far as third place, a terrifying prospect given the top two sides are automatically promoted to NPL while third place gets thrown into the playoffs for the final spot.
Watch Bentleigh Greens vs Northcote City
Caroline Springs George Cross vs Western United – Sunday 3pm @ City Vista Pavilion & Sports Field
This game between third placed Caroline Springs George Cross and fourth placed Western United promises to be a cracker, with the red-hot United hoping to throw a spanner in George Cross’ premiership and automatic promotion plans.
George Cross are just one point behind the ladder leading Bentleigh Greens and level on points with second placed Melbourne City, so a win and losses or draws to those two clubs above them would see them enter the NPLM in 2026 as reigning VPLM1 Premiers.
With the clubs who finish from third to sixth competing in a playoff for that third and final promotion spot, even a move from third to second would be huge for George Cross.
Caroline Springs George Cross vs Western United
Brunswick City vs Melbourne City – Sunday 3pm @ Dunstan Reserve
A massive game for both clubs, with Melbourne City battling for the Premiership and an automatic NPLM promotion while Brunswick City try to set themselves up for the best shot at success in the upcoming promotion playoffs.
Melbourne City currently sit just one point behind ladder leaders Bentleigh and hold a massive goal difference. A win here and a Bentleigh draw or loss would see Melbourne City win the Premiership and automatically jump into the NPL.
On the flipside, a loss to Brunswick City and a George Cross win or draw would mean Melbourne have to battle it out for that third promotion spot in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, fifth placed Brunswick City can only go down a spot in ladder position, as a loss to Melbourne City and a North Sunshine Eagles win would see them fall to sixth place and have to play whichever club finishes third in the playoffs.
Watch Brunswick City vs Melbourne City
VPLM2
North Geelong Warriors vs Brunswick Juventus – Sunday 3pm @ Elcho Park
North Geelong Warriors are in the box seat for the VPLM2 Premiership, sitting three points clear of second.
Close the season out with a win or a draw and the Premiership is theirs.
Their biggest concern is goal differential, which second placed Eltham hold a three-goal lead in.
Should Brunswick Juventus, who can’t go up or down from third place, knock off North Geelong on the road and Eltham beat Geelong SC ten minutes down the road at Stead Park, I suspect every Juventus player will be invited to the Redbacks Premiership party.
Watch North Geelong Warriors vs Brunswick Juventus
Geelong SC vs Eltham Redbacks – Sunday 3pm @ Stead Park
Speaking of Eltham, they have quite the task ahead of them before any Premiership parties can even be pondered.
They’ll have to travel to Corio and beat twelfth placed Geelong SC while praying to the football gods that Brunswick can beat North Geelong.
And Geelong won’t make that easy for Eltham, as they desperately try to stave off relegation. An upset win over the Redbacks and a loss or draw for either Nunawading or Whittlesea United and they’ll dodge the dreaded drop.
Watch Geelong SC vs Eltham Redbacks
NPLM
Avondale vs Green Gully – Saturday 3pm @ Avenger Park
A classic “win and the league is yours” situation for Avondale, who now sit two points clear on top.
A win is just the easiest route to claiming the premiership for the Avengers – a draw would put them three points clear of second placed Heidelberg who would then need to win by at least nine and, of course, even a loss to Green Gully would give Avondale the title should Port Melbourne stun the Bergers.
Unfortunately for Gully, it’s just pride on the line in this matchup, as the highest they can finish is eighth. But wouldn’t a win over the current ladder leaders and Hahn Australia Cup semi-finalists be the perfect way to close out a tough season for Gully?
Port Melbourne vs Heidelberg United – Saturday 3pm @ JL Murphy Reserve
If Heidelberg want to claim the 2025 premiership, they need to beat Port Melbourne by nine goals and hope for an Avondale loss or draw against Green Gully.
A loss to a Sharks side with nothing but pride to play for, and a Dandenong Thunder win over Preston would see the Bergers go from top-spot hopefuls to suiting up next weekend for the third vs sixth fixture.
A bit in this one.
St Albans vs Hume City – Saturday 3pm @ Churchill Reserve
A must win game for seventh placed Hume City, plain and simple.
They currently sit two points behind Dandenong City, so a win for Hume and a Dandenong City loss to Victory would be enough to flip the teams. A Hume win and Dandenong draw is also an option for the men in red, but that win would have to be by an eye-watering 13.
Surely the Saints aren’t going to let that happen on their home deck?
Preston vs Dandenong Thunder – Saturday 3pm @ Genis Steel Stadium
Home-field advantage and week one byes are on the line in this top-six clash between Preston and Thunder.
A Thunder win and Heidelberg loss would see Dandenong leapfrog the Bergers and finish in second place.
A win for the Lions and an Oakleigh loss would setup a massive week one clash between those two clubs at Genis Steel Stadium.
Neither can fall any further down the ladder, so it will be interesting to see how both sides approach this regular season finale.
Melbourne Victory vs Dandenong City – Saturday 3pm @ The Home of The Matildas
A huge game for Dandenong City, who are still in a battle for that final place in the finals.
A win over the Victory, who cannot lift themselves out of a relegation position, would be enough to secure sixth place for City.
A draw for City and a Hume win could also be enough, provided Hume don’t pull off something unfathomable against St Albans and win by 13+.
A City loss and Hume win would put a full-stop on Dandenong’s 2025 season.
Oakleigh vs South Melbourne – Saturday 3pm @ Jack Edwards Reserve
Unusual to have an August clash between these two sides having such little on the line, but here we are.
South will be eyeing off a strong finish to what has ultimately been a disappointing season while Oakleigh will be desperate to hold on to the home field advantage they currently hold going into finals.
A Cannons loss and Preston win would see Oakleigh travel to Genis Steel Stadium to take on the Lions, rather than host them in the friendly confines of Jack Edwards Reserve.