After months of squabbling between Football Federation Victoria and its constituent clubs, the focus will be firmly on football come March 13 as the National Premier League kicks off.
Long-time rivals Heidelberg United and South Melbourne will butt horns in the opening match at Olympic Village in Heidelberg West on Thursday night.
Twenty-six other teams will meet in the first round of competition during the weekend, including Hume City, Whittlesea Ranges and Moreland Zebras. Surf Coast and Eastern Lions were the only two clubs not to accept NPLV licenses.
Hume City’s season begins against Pascoe Vale on March 16. Media manager Ezel Hikmet said Hume had overhauled its list, focusing on youth.
In practice matches Hume City beat Melbourne Knights and Northcote City, and drew with South Melbourne and Dandenong Thunder. It will take on all four teams for the NPL title this season.
In NPL1, Whittlesea Ranges host Kingston City on Friday night at Epping Stadium, while Moreland Zebras’ start their season on Monday with an away game against FC Bulleen Lions.
