Football is back, and excitement is building for the new season of the NPL in Victoria. The opening round will feature a clash of traditional rivals: Heidelberg United, known as Alexander, versus Melbourne Knights, known as Croatia. This derby tradition dates back to 1962 and continues to thrill fans to this day.
This year, many clubs have chosen to embrace their historical names. The governing bodies had previously barred traditional names like Alexander and Croatia due to unfounded concerns about ethnic tensions in the stands. However, on Thursday, Heidelberg will officially adopt the name Alexander, and Melbourne Knights will don the red and white colors of Melbourne Croatia.
The connection between clubs and their traditional communities holds significant importance for the fans. Alexander celebrates its strong ties with supporters from Northern Greece.
The Thursday night match promises some intense clashes to watch. Notably, Kaine Sheppard, Dion Nikolaidis, and Leo Mazis have switched from the yellow and black jerseys to the red and white of Melbourne Croatia. Coach Johnny Anastasiadis will be acutely aware of the trio’s abilities and will be strategising on how to neutralise their impact on the game.
Heidelberg enters the season with new players, having seen the departure of eight senior players. Pre-season results for Alexander have been encouraging, leading the coach to feel optimistic about the upcoming season.
Match Details
Melbourne Croatia v Heidelberg UTD Alexander
Date: 6/2/2025
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Knights Stadium
Outs
Sean Ellis – Retired
Adrian Zahra – Bentleigh Greens
Kaine Sheppard – Melbourne Knights
Dom Falla – Northcote City
Eion Ashton – Northcote City
Josh Pin – QLD
Leo Mazis – Melbourne Knights
