We're just a few hours away from the 2024 Premier in the VPLW in Spring Hills FC hosting the reigning Premier of the NPLW, FC Bulleen Lions in what is set to be a big test for the newly promoted side.
The clash has been billed as The Match of the Round, and with the pedigree of the two sides, the hype should be justified once these two sides take the field.
In 2024, Spring Hills finished the season with 59 points, with two draws and a loss the only blemishes on their record and this season they have already proved they are up for the challenge, coming away with a 1-1 draw with Preston in Round 1.
Ahead of another major test this weekend, Spring Hills Head Coach Tom Markovski said it was "very exciting" to come up against Bulleen this week.
"They have been the best team over the last three years during the home and away season, they have a great coach and a consistent team - it is a great test to see where we are at this stage of the season." he said.
"I also think it is always better to catch these teams at the start of the season to find out where you sit."
Watch Spring Hills vs Bulleen Lions
Last week, Spring Hills were able to hold on for a 1-1 draw after giving up an early lead, but Markovski was still proud of his team's efforts.
"You can either sit back and absorb pressure and hopefully you can get away with a draw, but our point was we need to take it to them," he said.
"We had a good first half and we had an opportunity to make it 2-0 just before they scored so that was probably the turning point from our point of view, but I was pleased with the result.
"This week though, we need to show them respect but also rely on our game plan and see how that stands up against them."
For their first home game in the NPLW, Markovski was delighted to see so many supporters watching his team and is hoping to see similar numbers at this week's match at Springside Recreational Reserve.
"Last week's crowd was so good, the support we have had has been brilliant," he said.
"We are renowned for our women's program so everyone from the local area gets behind us. It was also good to see some girls who were at the club in previous years come to watch and obviously being a Friday night game with not too many games on, so we had opposition come to have a look. It was a great atmosphere."
The Bulleen Lions, under the leadership of Caitlin Friend, are no strangers to high-stakes games and are treating this match with the utmost respect. There is an element of the unknown in this match-up, and they do not want to get caught backing off.
"Spring Hills shouldn't be underestimated by any means but, usually, it is a little bit of an unknown with these teams that get promoted. Fortunately for us we have actually played Spring Hills quite a few times in the last couple of years," she said.
"I know (Tom) Markovski quite well so we are kind of familiar with them and their field which is good because I do think if you're not familiar you will go in underestimating them and they will beat you.
"They are going to be a strong side because he knows his players and recruits well, he has also got a group of very loyal players that really enjoy the club and really enjoy him and really enjoy each other. Those sides are always hard to break down so we will need to bring our A-game."
After coming up against their opponents in a pre-season friendly, Friend knows what to expect but is aware of the team that they will face this week will be a much different proposition.
"Aleks Sinclair is extremely important for them. We played them in a practice game this year without her and they did seem to really miss her," Friend said.
"She scored against a strong Preston side last week so we know how massive she is for them. They have also got (Natasha) Dakic and players who have plenty of experience as well as a couple of strong visa players so there will be some tough matchups."
Despite the hype building around Spring Hills, Friend is confident in her side coming away with a good result.
"I think the biggest thing for us this year is the excitement of our width and our wingers who are killing it so far," she said.
"To have two strong wingers on both sides is just really hard to defend against because when you have one winger to contend with you can maybe work it out but when you have two that are swapping and then you have a six-foot striker, it is difficult to defend against us.
"I think if we can get the ball down there, we will be extremely dangerous every single time."