In this new segment we look at the weekend ahead, bringing you each team’s form, players to watch and predictions heading into the next round. It’s like a regular preview, with some novelty points you may have missed during the past week. It’s also seven weeks late in the making. Whatever.
Melbourne Knights vs Bentleigh Greens
The form
Melbourne Knights are the competition’s current benchmark, the only team to boast a 100% win rate so far. One may argue they haven’t yet tested themselves against the other top five or six sides in the competition, so this clash against Bentleigh will go a long way to proving their title credentials. The Greens have shown patches of what they can achieve as a team – namely their first half against South Melbourne – but haven’t been consistent enough yet, dropping points at home to the likes of Werribee and Green Gully.
The players to watch
Goals-wise, Matt Thurtell just can’t stop scoring. Meanwhile, watch Steven Topalovic from an aesthetic perspective, with the former Dandenong City player revealed to be a Bonds Model. He’s also a solid centre-back.
Elsewhere, shockwaves were felt back at Galvin Park last week as Tomislav Uskok left the late winner duties to teammate Milan Batur, opting to score the opening goal against Werribee instead. What will the captain think of next? Another player to mention is Adrian Zahra, who is itching to break his league duck. Will it be against the Greens?
The prediction
Expect a high intensity contest. The Knights will want to get one up against the best of the rest, while Bentleigh will be seeking some consistency and turning draws into wins. That win may not come this week, with our predicted 2-2 draw featuring Thurtell on the scoresheet and the Knights – probably Uskok – scoring a dramatic late equaliser.
Pascoe Vale vs Dandenong Thunder
The form
The two sides are experiencing polar opposite trajectories at the moment. Pascoe Vale have backed up a hat-trick of losses to start the season with a brace of wins, while Dandenong have lost every game since their opening round victory over Werribee City. Here’s a diagram:
The players to watch
Leading Paco’s charge have been Jake Nakic and Joseph Youssef, with the latter nabbing a hat-trick of headers last week against North Geelong, while the former has two goals in as many games. Not to be outdone, brother Adam Nakic is also seen as an advocate of the beautiful game by the Real Hotties of RMIT University admin:
For Dandenong, favourite son Veton Korcari is the go-to man to help Thunder’s fledglings wake up from their early season slumber.
The prediction
A bit more of the same. Pascoe Vale seem to have overcome their mental hurdles earlier in the season – as their technical ability was never in question – where they’d drop their heads after conceding a goal despite dominating proceedings and capitulating thereafter. Dandenong were always going to be up against it and it might be too big of an ask to take away anything more than a point against the in-form hosts. 2-0 to Pascoe Vale, Nakic to continue his scoring form and Davey van’t Schip to make his mark.
Avondale FC vs Oakleigh Cannons
The form
One win between the two sides after six rounds really paints the picture here. Avondale can be excused for their results so soon after promotion though, with an historic first NPL victory against Northcote last week just the confidence boost they needed. Title contender Oakleigh has been imploding, however, as despite boasting a superstar squad and experienced coach, they are yet to earn a point, let alone score a goal.
The players to watch
Avondale’s Chris Irwin has been electric so far for Avondale, while Oleksiy Khrapko grabbed his first goal for the season in the win against Northcote City. There’s plenty of talent in the Oakleigh stocks, but it’s just a matter of getting them firing on all cylinders.
The prediction
This one could be a real grind. Oakleigh’s quest for that elusive first goal will be made all the more difficult by Avondale’s miserly defence. A combined four goals in nine games from these two sides bodes well for a 0-0 draw. But having said that, it’ll probably be a 7-8 game of the season contender.
North Geelong Warriors vs Port Melbourne Sharks
The form
North Geelong’s last two games have been emotional rollercoasters featuring more twists and turns than Essendon’s supplements saga, both ending in heartbreaking 4-3 losses. They were undone by a late set-piece bundled over by Petar Franjic one week, and haunted by Joseph Youssef’s headers the next.
Meanwhile, Port Melbourne keep plugging away, this time notching commanding 4-0 win over the misfiring Oakleigh Cannons.
The players to watch
There are a few battles within the war here. This clash can be touted as a tussle between the competition’s two in-form wingers, Kamal Ibrahim and Robert Zadworny, who are both wreaking havoc and scoring for fun. Furthermore, both teams’ ‘keepers, Stjepan Gal and Daniel Zilic, have also been enjoying stellar seasons between the sticks so far.
The prediction
North Geelong will hope they don’t suffer the same result four three games in a row. This won’t be a drab affair, with both sides playing an enjoyable style (for the neutrals at least) and not content with sitting back, so expect a high scoring encounter. The outcome of this contest could really depend on how well Ibrahim is contained. With Geelong desperate for some points in their current run of games at home, we’ll call this one a 2-2 draw.
Green Gully vs South Melbourne
The form
After patches of disastrous form last season, Green Gully seem a much more settled and cohesive side this time around despite the high turnover, and notwithstanding the 6-1 abberation against North Geelong. They showed real fortitude to snatch a 1-1 draw against Bentleigh last week despite being a man down. South Melbourne may be unbeaten on the ladder, but physically they are fairly beaten, suffering a few injuries early on and struggling to run out games. A few scrappy wins have been followed up by tight draws, though one feels there’s plenty of room for improvement in the defending Champions.
The players to watch
Andy Kecojevic. He might not start, but he’ll be on within 10 minutes after a probable injury to a teammate and will impress in South’s midfield. Despite a fairly healthy return of three goals this season, Milos Lujic seems to be missing Jamie Reed alongside him, and is yet to strike a dynamic combination with the likes of an Andy Brennan or David Stirton – the latter not even getting a run off bench last week. Watch to see how Chris Taylor decides to line up his front third this time around. Nick Epifano has also been dangerous and deserves a shoutout. For Green Gully, centre-back Daniel Jones has been scintillating, showing his form at back and on the set piece (as in taking a free kick and scoring). Rani Dowisha, of South Springvale FFA Cup fame, has been given a run in goals and had actually attracted the attention of the Iraqi national team in recent times.
The prediction
We predict extra tight security for Milos Lujic’s belongings after the Heidelberg debacle (the Facebook comment has since been deleted). Tim Mala might again have to be substituted with injury before or just after half-time. Despite South Melbourne’s depth, the injury crisis becomes so crippling that Jake Barker Daish runs out as Mala’s substitute, despite not being listed in the squad. South Melbourne then races out to a lead of any sort, before running out of legs and substitutes and giving up their lead. 1-1, 2-2, 3-3. Take your pick.
Northcote City vs Heidelberg United
The form
Northcote’s form has resembled a bell curve this season, losing a few consecutive games, then winning a couple in a row, then losing some more. Heidelberg have been solid without being outstanding just yet, overcoming teams by a goal here or there. They’re yet to hit their straps, but if the team’s second half against South Melbourne last week is any indication, the signs are good for the Bergers.
The players to watch
Kaine Sheppard is firing again despite missing his strike partner Dan Heffernan. Watch for Kenny Athiu – not just for his height and skill – but his offside count, which was in Archie Thompson territory last week. Andreas Govas was so close to scoring one of the goals of the season last week but was denied by Nikola Roganovic’s heroics in goal, so keep an eye out for his ability to produce something special. For Northcote, there’s still plenty of talent that can help the club out of its slump, including former Box Hill man Nick Kokolakis, Jordan Wilkes and Marino Gasparis.
The prediction
Heidelberg may be sitting in 7th currently on a pretty cluttered table, but don’t expect it to stay that way for too long. Their rise will most probably be at the detriment of Northcote City, who will have to pull out something special to gain something from this match. 1-3 to Heidelberg United via a Sheppard double and an Athiu single.
Werribee City vs Hume City
The form
It’s been close but no cigar against five of the top seven sides so far thus season for Werribee, losing by the solitary goal most games and drawing a couple of others. They’re in for another tough encounter against 2nd placed Hume City who, despite an early season loss, have been going from strength to strength since then as their new recruits continue to gel.
The players to watch
Attacking midfielder Marcus Schroen has been in top form recently, so have Nick Hegarty and Jai Ingham. Like Zahra, Calvin Mbarga is itching to get off the mark in the league, and you’d suspect a maiden NPL goal is just around the corner. At the Bees, Chris Cristaldo provides that attacking spark so desperately lacking last season, whilst the back four are looking more assured despite a few soft goals here and there.
The prediction
Expect the Bees to keep plugging away throughout the 90 minutes. It might not always be pretty, it’ll be a bit scrappy with a few good passages of play in between, but they’ll frustrate the visitors to the very end. Then Hume will score the late winner to make Werribee’s effort feel like it was all in vain. 0-1 to Hume with Ingham netting the decisive strike.