Melbourne Knights FC Official Website The stage is set for battle under the lights of Tompsett Stadium this week, where the Melbourne Knights look to defend their fortress against a determined Avondale FC, on Friday, February 21st at 7:30pm.
On the back end of the O.G Melbourne Derby, the Knights find themselves in another rivalry battle, as NPL challengers Avondale attempt to match the home squad’s grass roots with a new-aged legacy.
Standing tall at home, the Knights’ last appearance at Tompsett Stadium saw them defeat Heidelberg United 3-2, in a goal frenzy battle. With their Round 2 class named the ‘Match of the Round’ by Football Victoria, a testament to the Knights’ fighting spirit, the 3-1 loss to South Melbourne sees the boys entering Friday with heads held high, and a point to prove.
Entering Round 3 with 6 points on their tally after pinching the win over the Cannons in Round 1 and firmly taking the win against the Sharks 4-1 last week, Avondale can be expected to match the Knights’ frenzy and come out firing. Under the leadership of footballing veteran Zoran Markovski, a character who is no stranger to the Knights, new talents Maggy Aguek and Luca Tevere have been ones to watch, landing themselves on the scoreboard in the opening rounds.
Despite a strong start to the 2025 season, the notoriety of the Knights at Tompsett Stadium gives the home side an upper hand against the Avengers. The familiar faces in blue will no doubt recall their last battle at Somers St, a night etched into the memories of players and fans alike. It was at this very stage in last year’s campaign that the Knights, starting frown a 3-0 deficit with just 30 minutes to go, summoned each ounce of determination, and clawed their way back to secure a 3-3 draw in front of an electric home crowd. The moment wasn’t just a comeback – it was a statement, with the clubs second meeting of the 2024 season ending in another draw.
Now, under the floodlights of Tompsett once more, the home side stand ready to prove, in true Knights fashion, that when odds are stacked against them, they have the power to rise.
