We are now two months into the 2023 NPLM season, and with teams starting to separate themselves from the rest of the competition, who will stand up in Round 9?
Green Gully v Hume City
8:00 pm, Friday 14 April, Green Gully Reserve
Can Hume City jump into the top six?
Green Gully cemented its position in the top four with a huge win over Moreland City last week.
Josh Hope put in yet another impressive performance in midfield, scoring a brace and controlled the game in the second half.
Defender Justin Spiteri was a standout, also managing to get on the scoresheet, while Liam Driscoll pulled off many good saves in goals.
Forward Pierce Waring became the outright leading scorer in the league with a fine finish against Moreland, to bring his total to seven for the season.
The Cavaliers have scored 15 goals over the past three weeks to become the second-highest-scoring team in the competition, only behind Avondale.
Hume continued its push for a top-six place with a hard-fought draw against South Melbourne.
Dylan McGlade was Hume's best through the midfield, creating many chances on goal, earning himself a spot in the TOTW.
Midfielders Harry Monaghan and Hayden Tennant played an important role in restricting South's strong attack, while winger Jawad Rezai provided plenty of run on the flanks.
Green Gully defeated Hume in Round 23 last season, Josh Hope and Luke Adams were the goal scorers for the away side.
Altona Magic v St Albans Saints
8:30 pm, Friday 14 April, Paisley Park
Can St Albans contain Tommy Semmy?
The Magic continue breathing down the top six's necks with a brave 2-1 victory away from home in Round 8.
Defender Alex Castiello put in a solid performance in defence, scoring a goal from a corner and being named in the TOTW.
Tommy Semmy was at his dangerous best, scoring another great goal and providing headaches all game.
St Albans lost its third game for the season last week against Port Melbourne on the road.
Midfielders Zelfy Nazary and Joey Monek can hold their heads up high, as they didn't give in all match.
Michael Grgic scored a brilliant captain's goal against Port Melbourne, with his side two goals down, he stepped up and scored a terrific free kick from just outside the box.
The match-up looks exciting on paper with two of the league's prolific strikers going head-to-head. Jonas Markovski (Altona) has been in superb form all season, while George Ott (St Albans) has gone quiet after starting the season on fire, can either of these players guide their sides to victory?
In the last round of last season, St Albans defeated Altona 5-1 with Michael Grgic Mouad Zwed scoring a brace.
Tommy Semmy against Heidelberg in Round 8. Picture: MP Images.
Avondale v Heidelberg United
3:00 pm, Saturday 15 April, Avenger Park
Will Heidelberg end Avondale's dream run?
Heidelberg's momentum was halted last week as they fell to Altona in front of their home crowd.
Bilal Habib scored his first goal for the season with a wonderful run and fancy footwork to fool the Altona defenders and keeper.
Avondale continued its unbeaten run to the season with a 3-1 victory over the Thunder.
Zander Guy was terrific in the forward half; setting up many shots on goal, while Manyluak Aguek scored a brace.
Kristian Trajceski continued his early season form alongside Yitay Towns in the midfield.
Avondale will want to clean up its possession after a sloppy defensive mistake allowed Dandenong to score a consolation goal.
In Round 25 last season, Avondale put Heidelberg to the sword, winning 4-1 away from home with Kristian Trajceski scoring a brace.
Moreland City v Melbourne Knights
3:00 pm, Saturday 15 April, CB Smith Reserve
Can Moreland stay in touch with the top six?
The Knights clinched a close 3-2 victory at home against the winless North Geelong Warriors in Round 7.
Gevaro Nepomuceno was a standout for the Knights on the wing, scoring a goal in the second half; earning a spot in the TOTW.
Corey Sewell scored a crucial goal from the left-back, while Ivan Franjic was also influential in the back half.
Steve Whyte played a great game through the middle of the ground against the Warriors, while forward Ciaran Bramwell played himself back into form against North Geelong, scoring his second game for the season.
Moreland suffered another hefty defeat last week, this time at the hands of Green Gully.
Captain Jamie Latham didn't give up all game, he provided his side with lots of energy in midfield going box-to-box, and scored a goal as well.
North Geelong Warriors v Dandenong Thunder
3:00 pm, Saturday 15 April, Elcho Park
Can the Warriors end their seven-game losing streak?
North Geelong showed promising signs but was ultimately defeated for the seventh straight week.
In the 3-2 defeat, the Warriors scored their highest tally since defeating Bentleigh in Round One, a sign the side could be turning a corner.
Midfielder Nikola Jurkovic was the side's best, while Aden Gardner provided a spark along the wings.
Dandenong sits in the 11th spot on the ladder after losing 3-1 to Avondale last week.
Mamadi Kamara was able to capitalise on a defensive error by an Avondale defender to score his side's only goal of the match.
Leo Mazis showed glimpses of promise in the defeat, while Scott Lochhead was his reliable best in the midfield.
Dandenong will be eyeing this week's clash as their chance to close the gap to the top six, and the Warriors will be desperate to claim its second victory of the season.
South Melbourne v Bentleigh Greens
3:30 pm, Saturday 15 April, Lakeside Stadium
Second-placed South Melbourne played out its first draw of the season against Hume last week.
Javier Lopez was a standout for South as the goalkeeper, stopping countless shots on goal to earn a spot in the TOTW.
Despite their impressive start to the season, South sits ninth for goals and will look to improve their record on the scoring front against Bentleigh.
Following their first victory of the season last week, Bentleigh Greens lost to Oakleigh Cannons 3-0 in Round 7.
Shot-stopper Bon Scott was immense in defeat, ensuring the end result didn't blow out the Cannnons' way.
Tom Strickland and Mario Barcia were Bentleigh's best through the midfield and will need to step up again if they are to defeat South.
South Melbourne defeated Bentleigh 3-2 the last time they met with NPLM Golden Boot Harrison Sawyer scoring the winner.
Oakleigh Cannons v Port Melbourne
8:30 pm, Monday 17 April, Jack Edwards Reserve
Can the Sharks pull off an upset away from home?
Port Melbourne finds themselves in the top six following an impressive 2-1 victory against St Albans last week.
Jackson Courtney-Perkins was outstanding once again, claiming a spot in the TOTW.
Chris Duggan has also continued his good form of late, scoring his fifth goal for the season.
The Port Melbourne defence of Jalil Regague, Michael Eagar, Caio De Godoy and Daniel Edwards has been impressive this season but will need to be at their best this week, coming up against the defending Champions' attack.
Oakleigh solidified the third spot on the ladder with a 3-0 victory over the improving Bentleigh Greens in Round 8.
Zander Guy pulled off an impressive performance up forward with a TOTW nomination, and forward Daniel Clark was one of his sides' best with a second-half goal.
Captain Joe Guest led from the front with a great game from the midfield, scoring in the first half, and was well supported by Stefan Valentini.
Port Melbourne will look to avenge their 2022 extra-time Preliminary Final loss to Oakleigh Cannons. Joe Knowles scored a brace for the Cannons and Chris Duggan was the Sharks' best.