Round 12 of the NPLW is here and with every game having implications on the top four, who will walk away with the advantage this weekend?
Preston Lions v Alamein
6:15 pm, Friday, June 2, B.T. Connor Reserve
The Lions slid to eighth on the ladder with a loss against Box Hill in Round 11, while Alamein remains in the top five following their bye.
After being outclassed by Box Hill in Round 10, Alamein will look to bounce back against Preston but will be no easy feat against the side sprinkled with A-League stars.
Alamein will need Ashleigh Lefevre (1 one, 3 assists) to be at her creative best this week to get through the impressive Preston defence. Forward Rebecca Saber (3 goals, 4 assists) will also return to the lineup and provide a spark, after serving her suspension from Round 9.
Sidney Allen had her colours lowered last week against the high-calibre Box Hill midfield and along with Molly Burke will come up against Miri Nishimura and Georgia Henderson, an exciting match-up to look forward to.
Miri Nishimura (Preston Lions FC) ranks second for scoring chances created from set plays, second to Sidney Allen from Alamein, while both players have also found the back of the net four times.
Preston forwards Mel Camillieri and Rachel Stirton was kept scoreless last week and face another tough challenge in full-back Chinatsu Shidara who has been impressive in the early parts of the season.
The two sides split the points in Round 1 this year, with Miri Nishimura (Preston) and Mia Cane (Alamein) scoring in the clash.
Can Preston claim its first victory in seven weeks, or will Alamein find some form and return to the top four?
Calder United v Box Hill United
3:00 pm, Saturday, June 3, Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
Calder returned to form with a huge win over Bayside in Round 11 and Box Hill picked a crucial three points against Preston.
The defending Champions' forward half looked dominant in the 6-2 win with Keiwa Hidea and the returning Raquel Darales (Western United) scoring a brace, while Larissa Walsh and Ava Groba also found the back of the net from the midfield.
Laura Pickett and Maxine Diblasi have tried their hearts out for Box Hill in defence, but will be up against it this week with the shear talent in the Calder lineup - especially if more A-League (Western United) players make their return.
Melindaj Barbieri and Sofia Sakalis have made an immediate impact since joining the team during the mid-season registration window, scoring two goals each from as many matches.
The midfield will be covered with stars this week with Kanna Moriya and Box Hill's newest signings taking on Alexis Mitchell, Ava Groba and Isabella Sewards (second for scoring chances created)
Box Hill forwards Asuka Doi and Anais Josefski (5 goals) have been outstanding this year and will likely line up against Nikola Dakic and Montanna Mathews from Calder, in what could decide the match.
Both sides couldn't be split when they met earlier in the year, with the match finishing a 3-3 draw.
Will Calder unveil more Western United returns this week and prove too much or can Box Hill continue on its charge to the top four?
Southern United v Bayside United
5:45 pm, Saturday, June 3, Selandra Recreation Reserve
Southern United was defeated by Bulleen in Round 11 and Bayside also came home empty-handed against Calder.
Southern United's defence had tightened up in recent weeks, having only conceded five goals in the past three weeks, before giving up 25 goals in their first six games of the year.
Bayside's attack has been going from strength to strength, scoring eight goals over its past four matches, with Kayla Deaver (5 goals) spearheads the attack and will lineup against Rachel Binning, while Miwa Sasaki (5 goals) has also been terrific up forward - creating 20+ scoring chances in open play (second in NPLW).
Southern United will need to focus on shutting down Olivia Bomford (2 goals, 3 assists) and Julia Budiongo (2 goals, 2 assists) who have been Bayside's main playmakers this season, while Caitlin Storay (1 goal, 3 assists) has also influenced matches.
Yuka Sato has been Southern's best player this season and will hope mid-season singing Alyssa Rose (Heidelberg) can help make an impact this week to limit the Bayside midfielders.
Returning players Erin Keyt and Brittany Dudley-Smith played up front last week and once they regain their connection should provide Southern with more scoring options.
When the two sides met in Round 1, Bayside defeated Southern 3-0 with Lauren Antonello, Olivia Bomford and Miwa Sasaki all finding the back of the net.
After its longest unbeaten run in four years being beaten, can Bayside make a statement or will Southern get their first three points of the season?
Boroondara Eagles v Bulleen Lions
6:00 pm, Saturday, June 3, Veneto Club
The Eagles lost to South Melbourne in a thriller at Lakeside Stadium last week, while Bulleen took care of business against Southern United.
In a top-of-the-table clash, the Eagles put a hell of a fight, but had their hearts broken after conceding the fourth and decisive goal in the 90th minute.
Boroondara's scoring power was on show last week, with Kristina Hall scoring a stunning free-kick, Emily Sutcliffe scoring a belting goal from the edge of the box and Kuera Okino scoring her 15th goal for the season in an impressive long-distance shot.
The Eagles have been clinical in front of goal, scoring 60% of their big scoring chances (15/25) this season (at the end of Round 10) - the best in the NPLW.
If any defence can contain Boroondara's firepower it would be Bulleen (NPLW #1 defence) who have only conceded nine goals this season. Katie Beck (NPLW #1 aerial duels), Alex Natoli, Faith Stephenson along with mid-season signee Lia Muldeary make an impressive back four and will limit the chances at goal for the Eagles' forwards.
Paige Zois, Beatie Goad and Alana Burn are a commanding duo in the midfield for Bulleen, which will make for an interesting contest against Boroondara midfielders Margot Robinne and Maggie Eudes and Kristina Hall.
After ranking equal second last for goals, Bullen's attack secondly appears scary good with A-League players Alana Jancevski and Maja Markovski coming into the lineup. The duo joins Rosie Rodger and Audrey Oastler who have shown glimpses, creating a tough assignment for Eagles' defenders Hayley Guerts, and Cassie Carmen.
Bulleen and Boroondara played out a 2-2 draw in Round 1 this year, following a big second half from forward Kurea Okino.
Can the ladder leading Boroondara regain its winning form or will the star power of Bulleen hand them back-to-back defeats?
Heidelberg United v South Melbourne
4:00 pm, Sunday, June 4, Olympic Village
South Melbourne closed the gap on the top spot with a clutch in over Boroondara last week, while Heidelberg defeated FV Emerging at home.
South claimed back-to-back wins last week for the first time since June 2022, moving within two points off the top of the ladder.
Heidelberg defenders Felicity Georgopoulos and Karina Tolios have had a great season but face the tough task of stopping the South captain Danielle Wise, who has scored five goals in the past four weeks, creating a dangerous forward three along with Tayla Christensen (4 goals) and Caitlin Pickett (1 goal).
Nicole Blackett has been one of the performers of the season, scoring five goals from midfield, while Reona Omiya has the best shooting accuracy of any player in the competition. South's Janna Lawson (3 goals) will look to have the same impact for her side, while mid-season signings Francesca Iermano and Meisha Westland may push the midfield battle Souths way.
Heidelberg will be hoping the threat of Steph Galea (7 goals) and Georgia Beaumont (3 goals) will be enough to occupy dominant South full-back Brianne Reed who has made the most passes of any player in the NPLW and leads the league in areal duels won.
The last time the two sides met, the match ended in a 1-1 draw with Steph Galea (Heidelberg) and Tayla Christensen (South Melbourne) scoring for their respective sides.
Can South Melbourne leap Boroondara to the top of the table, or will Heidelberg join them in second place?