Round 6 Preview – NPL Men’s NSW
Round 6 of the NPL Men’s NSW competition looks set to be a thriller, as some of the biggest sides in the state take on each other throughout the weekend.
Manly United FC vs Western Sydney Wanderers
7:30pm, Friday 13 March – Cromer Park
Manly United will open Round 6 when hosting Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night.
After a strong opening three matches of the season, in which they gained impressive draws over Blacktown City and APIA Leichhardt, as well as defeating St George City, the home side experienced back-to-back defeats.
Their most recent game saw them lose deep in stoppage time to St George FC, and they will be motivated to respond and return to scoring points this weekend.
Western Sydney Wanderers, meanwhile, are coming off a mightily impressive victory over Sutherland Sharks, and will be looking to continue that momentum this weekend.
Sydney Olympic FC vs St George FC
5:00pm, Saturday 14 March – Belmore Sports Ground
Sydney Olympic will be looking to kickstart their campaign by handing St George FC their first defeat of the season on Saturday evening.
Olympic have picked up just four points this campaign in a difficult first five matches, with a victory over SD Raiders and a draw against St George City their only positive results thus far.
On the other hand, St George FC have had an electric start to the campaign, being one of two sides undefeated thus far, and, amazingly, haven’t yet conceded a goal in the competition.
They will be looking to continue that record when facing off against the famous Olympic side, as they continue to cement a genuine finals push in 2026.
Sutherland Sharks FC vs UNSW FC
5:30pm, Saturday 14 March – Seymour Shaw
Sutherland Sharks will host UNSW FC later on Saturday at Seymour Shaw.
It’s been a difficult start to the campaign for both sides, who sit third and second bottom on the ladder respectively.
The Sharks recently went down to the Wanderers in a Friday-night thriller, while UNSW picked up a positive point against Marconi Stallions.
The visitors will be aiming to claim their first victory in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, while the Sharks will be desiring three points as they aim to push up the ladder.
Rockdale Ilinden FC vs APIA Leichhardt FC
7:00pm, Saturday 14 March – Rockdale Ilinden Sports Centre
Rockdale Ilinden and APIA Leichhardt will go head-to-head in an exhilarating Grand Final rematch on Saturday night.
Both sides have had strong starts to the season, sitting third and fifth respectively, and have only been defeated once – both to Marconi Stallions.
Rockdale will come into this match on a win streak of three matches, with their most recent game seeing them defeat Sydney Olympic 4-1, with a brace from Moudi Najjar supplemented by goals from Brendan Cholakian and Oliver Wiggin.
APIA, meanwhile, are four games undefeated, with their most recent result an exciting 3-2 match over Blacktown City.
Three points are crucial for both sides, but there is the additional excitement of pride on the line, as Rockdale look to avenge their Grand Final defeat from 2025.
St George City FA vs SD Raiders FC
7:15pm, Saturday 14 March – Penshurst Park
To conclude Saturday’s fixtures, St George City will host SD Raiders at Penshurst Park.
In what promises to be an exciting fixture, St George will be looking to bounce back from a defeat to NWS Spirit after going on a three-game unbeaten run.
SD Raiders, on the other hand, will see this as a potential opportunity to pick up their first victory in the NPL Men’s NSW competition, after experiencing a 1-0 defeat to Sydney United 58 last weekend.
However, the away side will be without key player Sebastian Malfara, who was sent off late in their previous fixture.
Blacktown City vs Marconi Stallions
3:00pm, Sunday 15 March – Landen Stadium
In another battle of the heavyweights, Blacktown City will face off against Marconi Stallions at Landen Stadium.
Blacktown have experienced a difficult beginning to the campaign, and are coming into this match with three straight losses to their name – courtesy of Rockdale Ilinden, Sutherland Sharks and APIA Leichhardt.
They will be looking to respond with a statement victory this weekend, as they aim to once more return to the NPL Men’s NSW finals series.
Marconi have been going through a difficult patch of their own, having experienced defeat to Sydney FC and drawing with UNSW FC in their last two matches, but they are still sitting strongly in fourth place.
Nevertheless, both sides will be highly motivated to emerge victorious in this exhilarating, high-profile fixture, which promises to provide plenty of exciting football at Landen Stadium.
Wollongong Wolves FC vs NWS Spirit FC
3:00pm, Sunday 15 March – Macedonia Park
Wollongong Wolves will take on NWS Spirit at Macedonia Park in the other Sunday 3pm fixture.
Wollongong have picked up two victories thus far this season – both at home – with their most recent coming last round, with goals from Alex Masciovecchio and Kazuya Yamamura earning them the three points over Sydney FC.
That win came in spite of a red card to Dylan Ryan, who will be consequently unavailable this weekend.
NWS Spirit, meanwhile, comes into this match in impressive form, having opened their season with three wins and two defeats.
The reigning Premiers will be motivated in knowing a victory could see them enter the top-six, making this an exciting fixture down South.
Sydney United 58 FC vs Sydney FC
5:00pm, Sunday 15 March – Sydney United Sports Centre
To conclude Round Six, top of the table Sydney United will host Sydney FC at Sydney United Sports Centre.
United 58 have enjoyed an extraordinary start to the campaign, taking maximum points out of their first five games.
They will be looking to continue their streak as the only side to win every match this weekend in front of an excitable home crowd, in what has been a brilliant start to life under Miro Vlastelica.
Sydney FC, however, will be looking to spoil the party, having experienced a strong start to 2026 themselves, with three victories from five games.
Looking to secure a top-six spot for another week, the Sky Blues will be bringing their A-game to Sydney United Sports Centre in what could be an enthralling encounter.
–By Jack George
