As the first weekend of the mid-season trade period approaches who can gain the ascendancy before the reinforcements arrive?
FV Emerging v Southern United
8:30 pm, Friday 12 May, Knox Regional Football Centre
FV Emerging picked up its fourth draw for the season against Calder last week as Southern United was smashed by Heidelberg 6-0.
Southern failed to hold their opponents at bay once again which will give Emerging the confidence they can come away with the three points.
Annabelle Yates played well last week in defence restricting Calder's Larissa Walsh, and will once again shoulder the load in the back half.
Emilie Keppens scored her fifth goal of the season against Calder, taking her into second place on the NPLW leaderboard, and will be a handful for Southern alongside Alana Cortellino.
If Southern United are going to claim its first win of the season this week they are going to need midfielders Yuka Sato, Kiera Meyers, and Sarah Johsnton to control the play and become options in the forward half.
Will FV Emerging continue to climb up the ladder or can Southern claim its first victory of the season?
Heidelberg United v Boroondara Eagles
8:30 pm, Friday 12 May, Olympic Village
Heidelberg easily defeated Southern United in Round 8, while the ladder leaders had the week off.
This massive 1 v 3 clash will show up where the two teams sit heading into the mid-season transfer window.
Boroondara has only lost one of its past six matches this season (April 15, Preston Lions), while Heidelberg has struggled for consistency; only winning more than one game in a row once this season.
Kurea Okino has been unstoppable this season with 12 goals to her name, but she sat on the bench with an injury concern, but with a fortnight's rest she should be ready to go to take on the Bergers.
The Eagles don't have anyone else who has scored double figures this season but in Okino's absence in Round 7 Maggie Eudes, Kristina Hall, and Emily Heijden all found the back of the net.
Steph Galea leads on the scoring from for Heidelberg with five for the season, while Nicole Blackett sits in second with four for the year.
Blackett has been superb this season through the midfield for the Bergers with one of the highest amount of take-ons in her own half in the league. Reona Omiya also enjoys a forward run, scoring two goals from the midfield.
Boroondara's defence has been pretty settled all season with Becky Lim, Hayley Guerts, and Zoe Austenall playing seven matches together. Lim also poses a threat in attack with five assists to her name after round six.
Can the Bergers string two wins despite coming up against together against the ladder leaders?
Alamein v Bayside United
3:00 pm, Saturday, 13 May, Dorothy Laver West Reserve
Alamein lost its second game for the season against Bulleen last week, while Bayside made light work of Box Hill United.
In Round 8, Bayside picked up its first back-to-back victory for the first time in four years and will look to make it three in a row against the in-form Alamein outfit.
This match-up looks to be a high-scoring affair with two of the top four scoring sides coming up against each other.
Miwa Sasaki has been Bayside's best with four goals this season, while American import Kayla Deaver has scored in three of her past four matches. The dangerous forwards will have to overcome Chinatsu Shidara and Jorja Thomas who have been solid over the first eight rounds in the defence.
Midfield sensation Sidney Allen has led the way for Alamein with four goals, while forwards Rebecca Saber and Savanna Anastasopoulos have found the back of the net three times, but will have to get past two-time TOTW representative Coco Majstorovic.
Alamein defeated Bayside 4-0 when they met late last season, with Amy Jackson scoring a brace.
Can anybody stop Sidney Allen?
South Melbourne v Calder United
1:30 pm, Sunday, 14 May, Lakeside Stadium
South Melbourne jumped into the top four after defeating Preston last week and Calder remains in eighth after a draw against Emerging.
This week is set to be an exciting match-up with both teams having momentum on their side heading into Round 9.
South Melbourne's Brianne Reed has been outstanding all season and will get the matchup of Larissa Walsh from Calder who was well contained against Emerging last week.
The 2022 NPLW Golden Boot winner Danielle Wise played her best game for South in Round 8, as she scored a brace in the 3-1 defeat of Preston.
Preston was the best defensive side heading into the clash and Wise alongside Tayla Christensen made light work of the Lions, in a worrying sight for Calder.
Lucy Richards was Calder's best last week and will likely square up against Wise, but will need the likes of Maia Heysen to help contain the striker.
Alexis Mitchell continues to improve week after week for Calder through the midfield alongside young guns Montanna Mathews and Elle Talevski but faces a tough task this week against Zoe Lambi, Jenna Lawson, and Caitlin Pickett.
South Melbourne has only won two out of the last seven matches at Lakeside Stadium including a 2-0 defeat against Calder in Round 20 last season.
Can South Melbourne make it two wins in a row?
Bulleen Lions v Preston Lions
8:15 pm, Monday, 15 May, Veneto Club
Bulleen pulled off a massive win over the in-form Alamein and Preston lost to South Melbourne on the road.
With both clubs just sitting out of the top four, a victory in this 5 v 6 clash will go a long way in setting up the rest of their season.
Preston and Bulleen have the equal best defensive record in the league, although Preston has leaked six goals in its last four games.
Preston defender Lia Founa will miss this week's clash after receiving a red card in last week's loss, but they will still have Olivia Edwards - who has the best win rate of contested duels in the competition.
FC Bulleen Lions duo Gabriela Garton and Emily Shields have the best save percentages on shots from inside the box of any goalkeepers in the NPLW, creating a tough selection headache for Caitlin Friend.
Miri Nishimura scored her fourth goal of the season last week with a cracking finish, earning her the Goal of the Week. Mel Camilleri (3 goals) and Rachel Stirton (2 goals) are dangerous players and Bulleen's defence will need to be on high alert.
Defender Lia Muldeary was judged best on the ground last week for Bulleen, while Katie Beck and Alex Natoli have also had a great season in defence.
Audrey Oastler has led from the front up with three goals for the season, while Caitlin O'Bryan has found the back of the net twice - including last week.
Which defensive method will prove superior?