After a fantastic 2022, the National Premier Leagues (NPL) Victoria Men competition returns this week for the 2023 season.
Ahead of the season opener on Thursday night, check out the season preview for all 14 clubs.
Altona Magic SC
After a disappointing 2022, optimism is high at Paisley Park on the eve of the new season. In Head Coach John Markovski's third season in charge, Magic fans will be hoping the Club can springboard up the NPLM table and back into finals contention.
After sitting comfortably in mid-table for most of 2022, one win in the final eight games of the season led the Magic to slide dangerously close to the drop zone.
The Club eventually finished seven points clear of relegated Dandenong City but despite their challenges in the home straight, Magic fans will feel there are strong foundations in place for the new campaign.
Up until Round 18 Altona held the equal third-best defensive record in the league and even when things went south, the side rarely conceded heavily - positives John Markovski will undoubtedly draw on as the Round 1 clash with Hume City draws closer.
Altona has recruited a host of players ahead of the new year, ranging from young guns to interstate and local NPLM talent.
Altona has enjoyed an impressive run throughout the pre-season, defeating Port Melbourne and Bentleigh Greens before claiming the Maso-Cup in Newcastle. A 2-0 win against Melbourne Victory last weekend added to the positive momentum at Paisley Park ahead of the NPLM season kicking off.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Altona Magic v Hume City
Round 2: Avondale v Altona Magic
Round 3: Altona Magic v North Geelong Warriors
Avondale FC
After narrowly missing the top six last season, Avondale is poised to bounce back in 2023. The Avengers have consistently been at the business end of the table in recent years and following some astute recruiting, Head Coach Zoran Markovski says the “sky is the limit” for his side ahead of Round 1.
2022 was a frustrating season for the club, with a number of key players being hampered by injury throughout the campaign. Despite being in the finals running the lack of squad continuity eventually took its toll, as Heidelberg beat the Avengers to sixth place.
To date, the Avengers have welcomed six new players into their ranks providing added depth and quality to a squad that is already imbued with elite NPLM talent.
Avondale start the 2023 season on the road against Port Melbourne on Saturday, February 18 in what will be an enthralling encounter before returning to Avenger Park for back to back home games against Altona Magic then Hume City.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Port Melbourne v Avondale FC
Round 2: Avondale FC v Altona Magic
Round 3: Avondale FC v Hume City
Bentleigh Greens SC
With a major squad overhaul and a new Head Coach, Bentleigh might just be the biggest unknown heading into season 2023 of NPLM Victoria.
The Greens are coming off a terrific 2022 campaign where they claimed the Dockerty Cup in dramatic fashion, scoring a late winner against rivals Oakleigh Cannons. Strong showings in both the Australia Cup and league followed, where they made the Round of 16 and finished fifth respectively.
On the eve of the new season though, those results will be firmly in the rear-view for Bentleigh fans as new Head Coach Peter Tichy aims to lead the club into a new era.
Bentleigh have made dramatic changes to their squad, adding a mix of experience and youth.
A chance for early silverware is on the cards for the Greens as they kick off their competitive fixtures tonight in a tantalising matchup against Oakleigh Cannons for the Community Shield, with matches against the two newly promoted to follow.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Bentleigh Greens v North Geelong Warriors
Round 2: Moreland City v Bentleigh Greens
Round 3: Bentleigh Greens v Green Gully
Dandenong Thunder FC
After finishing just four points adrift of the NPLM finals last year, momentum and a strong off-season has Thunder Head Coach David Chick believing the Club can take the next step in 2023.
Thunder fans will be full of optimism heading into the new season, but there will be plenty of anticipation on who can fill the void left by two of the side's key attacking weapons.
The Club has focused on recruiting creative talent and there will be plenty of opportunities for the new signings to make an impression.
The Thunder kick off their campaign against Heidelberg at Olympic Village followed by clashes against St Albans and reigning champs Oakleigh Cannons.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Heidelberg United v Dandenong Thunder
Round 2: Dandenong Thunder v St Albans Saints
Round 3: Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons
Green Gully SC
Following a preliminary final loss at the hands of South Melbourne, Green Gully is looking to go a step further this year and claim their first NPL Championships since 2011.
The Cavaliers finished last season in fourth spot with 14 wins from 26 matches, with the side's biggest wins coming in round one against eventual Champions Oakleigh Cannons (1-0) and in round 11 when they convincely defeated Heidelberg 4-0.
The men in green and white have been hard at work over the pre-season and have been able to fine-tune their game plan in practice matches since the new year.
To start the season Green Gully once again hit the road to take on Oakleigh Cannons, after claiming a 1-0 victory in the same fixture last season.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully
Round 2: Green Gully v South Melbourne
Round 3: Bentleigh Greens v Green Gully
Heidelberg United FC
Following an early finals exit last season, Heidelberg will be looking to regain their status of one of the league's best in 2023.
Heidelberg scraped into sixth spot last year with 14 wins, however, would lose to eventual champions Oakleigh Cannons in the elimination final.
The squad have been hard at work since November to ensure they can go deeper into finals this season. And with the addition of ‘King’ Kenny Athiu returning home to Heidelberg, that will certainly be the aim.
The 30-year-old striker netted over 40 goals in more than 70 games with Heidelberg between 2014 and 2017. Athiu is also best remembered for his stunning finish in Heidelberg's 1-0 win in the Australia Cup 2017 Round of 32 against Perth Glory.
Heidelberg United kick off their campaign against Dandenong Thunder on Friday night.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Heidelberg United v Dandenong Thunder
Round 2: Hume City v Heidelberg United
Round 3: St Albans Saints v Heidelberg United
Hume City FC
Hume City is keeping last season in the rear-view mirror in the hope they can turn their misfortune around in 2023.
The men from Valley Park finished last season in 12th position with seven wins for the season, only one spot above the relegation zone.
Hume managed to play two practice matches before Christmas, and upon returning they had a camp in Queensland and faced NPL outfits Green Gully and Dandenong Thunder.
Hume’s major weakness last season was their defence as they were ranked 12th for goals against. The addition of Tomas Maricic (Dandenong Thunder) will be massive for the club this season, as the 200cm big man will provide assurance in the air.
Despite enduring a disappointing season last year, Hume will not be satisfied with just avoiding relegation once again.
Hume City starts their campaign on the road against Altona, before playing Heidelberg (home) and Avondale (away).
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Altona Magic v Hume City
Round 2: Hume City v Heidleberg United
Round 3: Avondale v Hume City
Melbourne Knights FC
The Melbourne Knights have started from scratch in a bid to reach its first NPL finals campaign in seven years.
In 2022, the Knights finished ninth on the NPL ladder with nine wins from 26 matches, four points short of the top six.
The club has appointed Ben Cahn as their senior coach for the upcoming season, having previously worked at Olympic FC and Central Coast Mariners.
It is the clubs 70th anniversary so it is a special year for the club and high-profile recruit Ivan Franjic has been selected to lead the club through such a momentous year.
The club has a tough run of matches in the first month, including taking on both Oakleigh and South Melbourne, however that won't faze the Knights.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: St Albans Saints v Melbourne Knights
Round 2: Melbourne Knights v Oakleigh Cannons
Round 3: South Melbourne v Melbourne Knights
Moreland City FC
After clinching the NPLM2 title in 2022, Moreland City hopes to make a splash in the NPLM and prove they belong in the top-flight.
In 2023, Moreland City SC makes their return to the NPL Men’s after 75 years dreaming of making a return.
In 2022, Moreland City finished top of NPL2, one point above fellow promoted side; North Geelong Warriors.
To secure the premiership, Mathers’ side needed to secure back-to-back victories against third-placed Pascoe Vale (2-1) in round 21 and second-placed North Geelong in round 22 (1-0).
In 2023, Moreland City wants to be known as a tenacious side that is hard to beat but it is going to be a tough ask against South Melbourne in Round 1.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: South Melbourne v Moreland City
Round 2: Moreland City v Bentleigh Greens
Round 3: Port Melbourne v Moreland City
North Geelong Warriors FC
North Geelong Warriors are back in the NPLM for the first time since 2017, and with a host of handy recruits, they look here to stay.
The Warriors secured promotion from NPL2 after finishing one point behind top-placed Moreland City FC with 15 wins for the season.
The Club has bolstered defensive stocks with the signing of 24-year-old Charlie Fleming from Cobh Ramblers. The full-back has played several seasons in Ireland's Premier League and displayed his tenacity and work rate over the Geelong Cup weekend, not to mention, his knack for popping up in the box to score a goal.
Nelson Tshongo has made the move to North Geelong from the NPLWA with stints with Perth, Balcatta and Gwelup Croatia. 20-year-old winger Steve Fidele also joins the club after stints with Box Hill and the Melbourne Knights along with Ibrahim Mohamed from Geelong, who has NPLM experience.
North Geelong is not looking to make up the numbers in 2023, but look to place as high as possible.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1:Bentleigh Greens v North Geelong
Round 2: North Geelong v Port Melbourne
Round 3: Altona Magic v North Geelong
Port Melbourne SC
With only an extra-time goal separating Port Melbourne from a grand final berth last season, the Sharks are primed for another assault on the top of the table
Port Melbourne had a stellar home and away campaign, finishing second with 17 wins, however, their season would end at the hands of eventual premiers Oakleigh Cannons in the preliminary final.
Reigning NPLM Coach of the Year, Adam Piddick will hope his team can go one better this season.
Despite their terrific defensive record (#1), the Sharks were sixth for goals and Piddick aimed to address this over the pre-season
Despite the Sharks' impressive defensive record (NPLM #1), they were ranked sixth for goals and only had three players score more than three goals (Chris Duggan 15, Jackson Courtney Perkins 9, and Luca Tevere 6).
Port Melbourne starts the season against Avondale in front of their home crowd in a big clash between two potential finalists.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1:Port Melbourne v Avondale
Round 2: North Geelong v Port Melbourne
Round 3: Port Melbourne v Moreland City
Oakleigh Cannons FC
After a dream finals campaign in 2022, Oakleigh know they will have a target on their back this campaign. But with a strong off-season, Head Coach Chris Taylor is confident the Cannons can again be among the teams to beat.
A 5-0 victory in the NPLM Final against South Melbourne was the icing on a spectacular 2022 for the Cannons, who also reached the Dockerty Cup Final and Semi-Final of the Australia Cup.
2023 has started just as well, with Oakleigh claiming the 2023 Community Shield in a brilliant 4-0 win over Bentleigh Greens with Joe Guest, Alex Salmon, Alex Fietchner and Chris Lucas getting on the scoresheet.
The Cannons have bolstered their defence over the off-season through recruits Anton Mlinaric (Brisbane Roar) Brandon Lundy (Avondale) and Emlyn Wellsmore (Port Melbourne).
In the final third, Alex Salmon (Green Gully) and Stefan Valentini (Avondale) will add serious pedigree to an already lethal frontline. Alex Fietchner (Lions FC, NPLQ) also arrives and will be an exciting one to watch.
Connor Hampson (Curzon Ashton) has also been signed as the reigning Champions' visa player and will add even more experience to the side, alongside Cameron McGlip, who has crossed from the Dandenong Thunder.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: Oakleigh Cannons v Green Gully
Round 2: Melbourne Knights v Oakleigh Cannons
Round 3: Dandenong Thunder v Oakleigh Cannons
South Melbourne FC
2022 was so nearly the year for NPLM juggernauts South Melbourne FC. With a strong pre-season and some key signings, can Head Coach Esteban Quintas go one better and bring glory back to Lakeside Stadium?
After topping the table for the entirety of the 2022 season, a collapse in the NPLM Final was a bitter pill to swallow for the South faithful. But despite falling at the final hurdle, the Club had a terrific year on the park and will take plenty of positives into the season.
A targeted recruiting campaign has South Melbourne’s coaching staff to feel confident in the squad depth and more importantly, competition for places.
After kicking off last season with a win against the Bergers, Lakeside Stadium will once again be the launchpad for NPLM football in 2023.
South have an intriguing matchup with reigning NPLM2 Champions Moreland City to look forward to, with Quintas saying he has nothing but respect for his opponents ahead of the clash.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: South Melbourne v Moreland City
Round 2: Green Gully v South Melbourne
Round 3: South Melbourne v Melbourne Knights
St Albans Saints
After making more than 100 appearances for St Albans across six seasons as a player, Ryan McGuffie has returned to the Churchill Reserve as Head Coach. With an influx of signings to complement a strong core of returning stars, how far can St Albans go in 2023?
St Albans turned heads at the beginning of 2022 after earning some surprise victories and sat as high as second place by the end of Round 3.
Deeper into the season results evened out, but an eleventh placed finish was a positive finish for the Club, particularly after struggling to break free of the relegation zone in the incomplete 2021 season (The season was ultimately voided).
With Kruni Razov departing Churchhill Reserve at the end of the campaign, former player Ryan McGuffie has now taken the reigns and will be looking to leave his mark on the league.
Among the new signings are experienced midfielders Brian Summerskill and Troy Ruthven, who arrived from Heidelberg United and Port Melbourne Sharks respectively. The pair are proven performers at NPLM level and will add experience and steel to the Saints spine.
On the defensive end, full-back Aaron Oppedisano has made the switch from New South Wales side Broadmeadow Magic. With a strong engine and an ability to bomb down the flank, Oppedisano looks a quality signing who can make an instant impact.
The Saints will kick-off their campaign against the Melbourne Knights on Sunday at home, in what should be a thrilling contest.
OPENING FIXTURES
Round 1: St Albans Saints v Melbourne Knights
Round 2: Dandenong Thunder v St Albans Saints
Round 3: St Albans Saints v Heidelberg United