ALL ON THE LINE: Youth seasons set for dramatic conclusions

It’s set to be a blockbuster Sunday in Brunswick as Melbourne City’s youth sides head into the final day of the VPL1 season with everything still to play for.

Our Youth Team, led by Head Coach Alessandro Diamanti, will line up for a decisive clash with Brunswick City knowing promotion to the NPL top-flight is within reach – and with the right results elsewhere, even the title could be theirs.

The top two VPL1 sides will achieve automatic promotion, while positions three through six will play off for the final promotion spot

Diamanti’s side has been a model of consistency throughout the campaign, losing just three matches in 2025. Going into the final round, City has shone at both ends of the pitch, boasting the league’s second-best attacking and defensive records.

Leading the charge has been Beckham Baker with 20 goal involvements, while 15-year-old Akeem Gerald and fellow forward Aaron Cartwright have impressed in attack.

At the other end, captain Marcus Humbert has anchored the backline alongside Ryan Kalms, with shot-stopper Lachie Charles also enjoying a standout campaign between the sticks.

Sunday’s permutations are simple: a win over Brunswick City at Dunstan Reserve will be enough to secure automatic promotion, barring a highly unlikely seven-goal swing elsewhere.

Should Bentleigh, currently sitting a point above us, drop points against Northcote, a City win would also see us crowned Champions. A Bentleigh loss and a City draw would also see us jump into first, given our superior goal difference.

Anything less than three points for City does still keep the door open for automatic promotion, but leaves our fate in the hands of other results, with all fixtures kicking off simultaneously on Sunday afternoon.

It promises to be a dramatic end to what has already been a remarkable campaign, and we’d love to see as many City fans as possible in Brunswick to support the boys in their push for promotion!

Development Squad also in the race

Lewis Potter’s U23 Development Squad has enjoyed a sensational year in front of goal, scoring a remarkable 123 times to date, and will also head into the final day with silverware in sight.

They sit just one point behind Western United heading into Sunday’s finale, where they’ll also take on Brunswick City.

With a superior goal difference, a Western defeat would see City crowned Champions with either a win or a draw, while victory for Potter’s side, combined with dropped points for Western, would seal the title outright.