Green Gully finally won but everyone is talking about one extraordinary moment

Absolute chaos, a long-awaited breakthrough and another twist in one of the tightest title races in recent memory headlined Round 18 in NPL VIC.

Victoria’s top flight delivered drama from top to bottom, headlined by extraordinary scenes at City Vista as Preston Lions claimed a 2-0 victory over Caroline Springs George Cross.

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The game's defining moment arrived midway through the second half.

George Cross goalkeeper Christian Siciliano brilliantly denied Preston recruit Luca Tevere from the penalty spot, only for the same player - substitute Jordan Tucker - to concede another penalty moments later while attempting to prevent the rebound.

In the chaos that followed, George Cross' goalkeeping coach was sent off before Tevere calmly converted the second spot-kick to break the deadlock. Preston sealed the points late to continue their impressive campaign.

After the game, George Cross head coach Eric Vassiliadis told club media: “He’s got some real intestinal fortitude that guy (the referee).

“… And if he wants to play by the laws of the game, they had two players inside the box before the penalty was taken.”

Elsewhere, one of the stories of the season finally had its reward.

Green Gully celebrated their first win of 2026, stunning South Melbourne 2-1 at Lakeside Stadium.

After 17 rounds without victory and the recent return of club legend Andy Vargas as head coach, signs of improvement had been building.

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Last week's collapse from 2-0 ahead against Hume City threatened to undo that progress, but goals from Bilal Habib and Kur Kur finally gave the Cavaliers something to celebrate.

While they remain bottom of the table, belief is beginning to grow.

At the other end of the ladder, Oakleigh Cannons retained top spot after Jacob Tratt's dramatic 89th-minute winner secured a 1-0 victory over defending champions and rivals Heidelberg United.

The Cannons sit one point clear after Hume City comfortably dispatched relegation-threatened Dandenong Thunder 3-0. Josh Bingham, Christopher Engelhart and Godfrey Debele were all on target as Hume kept the pressure firmly on the leaders.

Dandenong City produced one of the weekend's biggest surprises, defeating title contenders Avondale FC 3-1.

Timothy Atherinos continued his blistering form with a brace, taking his tally to five goals across his past three matches.

There was also a vital win for Altona Magic, whose 1-0 success over Bentleigh Greens strengthened their own survival hopes while leaving the Greens entrenched near the foot of the table.

Melbourne City's youth continued to impress as Roland Ballah struck twice in a 2-0 victory over St Albans Dinamo.