Round 6 is shaping up to be a big week of NPLM action with plenty of storylines set to play out.
Can Green Gully hand Avondale their first loss? Will Heidelberg continue their momentum? Can Bentleigh pick up their first win of the season? All will be answered this weekend.
Melbourne Knights v Altona Magic
7:30 pm, Friday 24 March, Knights Stadium
The Knights jumped into fifth spot following a hard-fought 3-2 victory in Round 5 over Port Melbourne.
Second -half substitute Mohamed Sumaoro was the hero for the Knights, scoring in the 87th minute after being released into a one-on-one chance with the keeper.
Corey Sewell was influential through the midfield for the second week running and was supported well by Mitch Hore, while Captain Ivan Franjic was immense in the back half, leading his side to a second straight victory.
Their opponents Altona Magic were valiant in defeat last week, but fell just short of Green Gully, losing 2-1.
Jonas Markovski continued his rich vein of form on the weekend with yet another goal and will once again need to be at his best against a resurgent Green Gully side.
Young shot-stopper Zac Bowling was once again impressive last week. The keeper was highly touted when he joined from Broadmeadow Magic in the offseason and is already showing his potential early into his Altona career.
While the Magic have been competitive in all their games this season, just one win in five has left them languishing in tenth place. A win would be a vital momentum builder and a positive reward for their positive early season form.
The two sides last faced off in Round 25 last season, where they shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw.
Heidelberg v Bentleigh Greens
7:30 pm, Friday 24 March, Olympic Village
Can Heidelberg back up last week's shock win?
After struggling in the early part of the season, Heidelberg finally registered their first win of the season in head coach George Katsakis' 350th game at the helm against old rivals South Melbourne.
The previously winless Heidelberg defeated the undefeated South Melbourne 2-0 with Kaine Sheppard (one goal) returning to his 2022 Gold Medal-winning form.
Anthony Lesiotis and Adrian Zahra dominated the midfield battle, Aydin Fetahagic provided many goal-saving tackles, and keeper Hayden Browne refused to let the ball find the back of the net.
Heidelberg will welcome back defender Deion Nikolaidis following picking up a red card in Round 4 against the Oakleigh Cannons.
Bentleigh remain at the bottom of the table, recording their fifth straight loss over the weekend against the Thunder.
Adrift at the bottom of the table, another uninspiring defeat this weekend would see concern rise in the Greens' camp. That being said, margins are fine in football and a win could kickstart their season.
Having conceded 11 goals in five games tightening up the defensive side of things will be vital for Bentleigh if they're to stop a revitalised Heidelberg.
Captain Benjamin Carrigan will return to Bentleigh's side this week after serving his suspension for a red card two weeks ago.
In Round 16 last season, Heidelberg and Bentleigh played out a thriller, drawing 2-2 at Olympic Village.
Moreland City v North Geelong Warriors
3:00 pm, Saturday 25 March, CB Smith Reserve
Can either side notch win number 2?
Following a promising month of football, Moreland was humbled by the rampaging Avondale 7-0 last week.
It was a day Moreland would like to forget in a hurry with skill errors and sloppy defending costing them four goals.
With a winnable clash ahead of them in Round 6, Moreland will need to regain their self-belief and be more proactive to get the three points.
North Geelong lost their fourth game in a row against Hume in Round 6, losing 4-0 at home.
The Warriors didn't have any answers for Hume as they conceded a worrying 10 shots on target to 0.
Forwards Caleb Mikulic and Ryan Oppermann are yet to register a goal this season and there would be no better time than this week.
Moreland sealed their NPL2 Championship with a 1-0 victory over North Geelong in the last round of last season.
Avondale v Green Gully
3:15 pm, Saturday 25 March, Avenger Park
Can Green Gully hand Avondale their first loss?
Avondale is one of only two teams to remain undefeated after Round 5, following their 7-0 drubbing against Moreland City.
Stefan Zinni was electric with two goals from the wing, while Kristian Trajceski was a level above before being subbed off at half-time.
Avondale has found success this season with numerous avenues to goal with six players already scoring multiple goals.
The Avengers will be without Dillon Jakupi this week after he picked up a straight red card for an ugly tackle against Moreland City.
Green Gully won its fourth game in a row against Altona in Round 5 to move into the top four.
Pierce Waring looks to have found his feet at his new club, scoring in back-to-back games, while Luc Jeggo was once again influential through the midfield in the Cavaliers' 2-1 victory over the Magic.
In Round 18 last season, Green Gully and Avondale played out a 1-1 draw after Manyluak Aguek scored a 90th-minute equaliser.
Dandenong Thunder v Port Melbourne Sharks
7:00 pm, Saturday, 25 March, George Andrews Reserve
Can the Sharks get back on track?
Port Melbourne started the season well with one win and two draws, however, they have lost their past two matches.
The Sharks' defence will want to respond this week after giving up an 87th-minute winner to the Knights in Round 5, while Caio De Godoy scored an own goal which proved to be costly.
Luca Tevere and Chris Duggan continue to lead from the front for Port Melbourne, both registering their third goal of the season in defeat against the Knights.
Jackson Courtney-Perkins has again been a shining light in the midfield for Port Melbourne and Vali Cesnik continued to try hard on the wing.
Dandenong Thunder moved into the top six with a comfortable 3-0 win over the struggling Bentleigh Greens.
The Thunder's midfield looked dangerous all game against the Greens with Harry Ascroft and Goffry Lino getting on the end of half-time goals.
Dandenong may bring back Sevdim Ismaili after he served his suspension following being shown a red card in Round 4.
The last time the two sides met it was Port Melbourne who came away with a 2-0 win with Jackson Courtney-Perkins and Ross Archibald scoring the goals.
Oakleigh Cannons v Hume City
7:45 pm, Saturday, 25 March, Jack Edwards Reserve
Can Hume deliver Oakleigh's first defeat?
Oakleigh remains one of two teams undefeated in the competition, following their 1-1 draw with St Albans last week.
Stefan Valentini put in another strong performance scoring the side's only goal and Oliver Kubilay was also impressive.
Hume played themselves into form last week with a 4-0 win over North Geelong, however, Oakleigh has the best defensive record in the league - only conceding four goals so far.
Brandon Lauton was superb up forward for Hume in Round 5, scoring two goals, while Zach Maltby played his part through the midfield.
Hume will have a tough task against Oakleigh's forward threats with four multiple-goal scorers, however, defenders Tomas Maricic and Mark Ochieng have put in strong performances and are up for the battle.
In Round 26 last season, Hume defeated Oakleigh 1-0 with Samuel Ford scoring the winner in the dying minutes
St Albans v South Melbourne
3:00 pm, Sunday, 26 March, Churchill Reserve
How will South Melbourne respond after their shock loss to Heidelberg?
Following four straight wins to start the season, South found themselves searching for answers after going down 2-0 to Heidelberg in Round 5.
Despite their winning record, South sits seventh for goals so far this season with the likes of Max Mikkola and Alun Webb only finding the back of the net once in the first five rounds.
St Albans recorded their fourth draw for the season against Oakleigh last week after defender Chris Dib scored the equaliser in the 75th minute.
Anthony Dezic was influential through the midfield against the star-studded Cannons outfit, while Shaun Timmins was important in defence.
In a major boost for St Albans, NPLM leading goal scorer George Ott will return to the lineup after being shown a red card in Round 4.
It was a one-sided affair when the teams last met, South Melbourne comfortably defeated St Albans 4-0 with Max Mikkola scoring a brace.