NPL Victoria Men’s (NPLM) Round 3 provided original rivalries, close wins and spirited performances.
In Round 4, we look ahead to another exciting round of NPLM football as the table starts to take shape.
Green Gully v Port Melbourne
8:00 pm, Friday 10 March, Green Gully Reserve
Can Green Gully continue in their winning ways or will Port Melbourne prove too much to handle?
After a tough start to the season against South Melbourne and Oakleigh, Green Gully kickstarted their season last week with a 2-0 win over Bentleigh.
The Greens have shown they possess many different outlets to goal, scoring in every match this season with four individual goal scorers.
The clash against Port Melbourne will be decided through the midfield with Luc Jeggo having a strong start to the season alongside Josh Hope, while George Mells, Luke Tevere, and Michael Eagar have been impressive thus far for the Sharks.
Port Melbourne is yet to suffer a loss this season, with two draws and a win in Round 2 against the North Geelong Warriors.
For the second time this year, Ross Archibald will be forced to watch from the grandstand after the defender was shown a red card in the second half.
Chris Duggan has played himself into form, scoring two goals in successive weeks, and should be a handful for Green Gully this week.
In round 16 last season, Port Melbourne defeated Green Gully 3-1 in the most recent encounter between the two sides.
Heidelberg United v Oakleigh Cannons
8:30 pm, Friday 10 March, Olympic Village
Can Heidelberg finally get off the mark against the defending Champions?
Round 3 saw the return of Kenny Athiu to Olympic Village, however, it wasn't enough as the Warriors went down to St Albans 1-0.
The Bergers frontline has struggled to fire this season, however with six shots on target in the second half last week, perhaps a breakthrough is due and Heidelberg claims their first win for the season.
Oakleigh continues to impress, claiming their second win for the season in Round 3 against Dandenong Thunder 2-1.
After trailing at the break, the Cannons wrestled back momentum with defender Connor Hampson scoring a clutch 90th-minute winner from a corner. Stefan Valentini
Cameron McGlip was dominant through the midfield, with Oliver Kubilay partnering with him nicely.
In the Elimination Final last year, Oakleigh Cannons defeated Heidelberg 3-1 in penalties after the two teams couldn't be split. If the two teams put on a repeat of last year's classic, we will be in for a great match.
Moreland City v Altona Magic
3:00 pm, Saturday 11 March, CB Smith Reserve
Can Altona make it two wins in a row against the in-form Moreland City?
Moreland has been nothing but impressive in their return to the NPLM, narrowly losing to South Melbourne, defeating Bentleigh Greens, and sharing the points with Port Melbourne in round three.
Fletcher Fulton was the danger man once again for Moreland, earning a penalty against the Port Melbourne goalkeeper, however, after a tussle he will find himself in the stands next week after receiving a red card.
Altona Magic claimed the three points last week against North Geelong with Jonas Markovski scoring the winning goal after Tommy Semmy's brilliant forward run and assist.
Cain Cuba was influential through the midfield and Christian Rossi was once again amongst the best for the Magic.
RUN: Altona's Tommy Semmy assisting Jonas Markovski's match-winner in round 3. Picture: MP Images
North Geelong Warriors v Avondale
5:00 pm, Saturday 11 March, Elcho Park
Can North Geelong deliver Avondale their first loss for the season?
Avondale has been on a roll to start the season, winning their past two matches after sharing the points with Port Melbourne in round one.
Having not yet recorded a clean sheet this season, North Geelong may struggle to contain the Avondale forward line as the avengers have illustrated their versatility in front of goal with seven individual goal-scorers from only three matches.
Following their 3-1 victory against Bentleigh Greens in round one, they have lost two matches in a row and will be looking to get back on track this weekend.
The Warriors will be without key midfield playmaker Aden Gardner who was given a red card for a late tackle against Altona.
PENALTY: Joseph Katebian scoring in the 6th minute for Avondale against Hume
Hume City v St Albans
7:00 pm, Saturday 4 March, George Andrews Reserve
Can George Ott continue his scoring run for St Albans?
St Albans have made a positive start to the season with one win and two draws to sit fifth on the ladder.
George Ott has been a revelation for the Saints this season, he scored in his Club debut and he followed this up with a hat trick in round two and last weekend he scored the winner with a backheel goal against Heidelberg.
Hume City has put in quality performances so far this season without registering their first win. Their only loss came last weekend in a close 3-2 loss to the undefeated Avondale.
Yagoub Mustafa has been the main man up front this season for Hume scoring in rounds one and three and will need to stamp his authority on the match if his side is to come away with the three points.
Hume claimed the three points in their last encounter in round 21 last season with Josh Bingham scoring the only match of the game.
Dandenong Thunder v South Melbourne
7:00 pm, Saturday, 11 March, George Andrews Reserve
Can Dandenong Thunder dethrone the all-conquering South Melbourne?
South Melbourne has been dominant so far this season, with wins over Moreland City, Green Gully, and the Melbourne Knights.
Ajak Riak will be the focal point-up forward for South Melbourne and showed how dangerous he can be with a brace in Round 2. Midfielder Pat Langois (two goals) and attacker Alun Webb (one goal) have also been able to get forward and provide a threat in the final third.
Dandenong remains in the top six despite their 3-2 loss to reigning Champions Oakleigh Cannons in Round 3.
After leading at half-time, the Thunder will be kicking themselves this week that they weren't able to get a result against the Cannons, conceding two second-half goals including a 90-minute winner from a corner.
The last time the teams met, Pat Langlois scored the winner in the 68th minute to hand South Melbourne a tense 2-1 victory in round 21 last season.
7:00 pm, Saturday, 11 March, George Andrews Reserve
Melbourne Knights v Bentleigh Greens
7:30 pm, Sunday, 12 March, Knights Stadium
Can Bentleigh lift themselves off the bottom of the ladder?
In a clash of 12th v 14th, both sides will be desperate to claim their first victory of the season.
The Knights may only have two points to their name, but panic wouldn't have settled in yet as they have had a tough start to the season, facing three of the top five sides.
In Round 1 and 2 the Knights came away with 1-1 draws to St Albans and the Cannons, while last weekend they fell just short of South Melbourne, losing 2-1.
The Greens lost to promoted sides North Geelong and Moreland City before falling to the improved Green Gully 2-0 in round three.
Bentleigh's forward mix has yet to fire so far this season, with only two goals scored so far - from their midfield.
In round 17 last season, Bentleigh defeated the Knights 2-1 with George Lambadaridis scoring the winner in the 91st minute.