Essendon Mazda Coach’s Comment: Battiato praises Royals spirit ahead of Bundoora trip

Vince Battiato is unrelenting in the goal he has set of a top-two finish for his Essendon Royals senior women and believes three points at Bundoora United on Sunday will be crucial to that end.

Battiato says despite his side’s comfortable 9-1 win over United last time they faced off was not a true reflection of the game.

“This is a tricky game, no doubt,” he said.

“I don’t read too much into that scoreline last time. They are the only team that managed to outpass us in a half – including the game we played against Calder United – and the tactical changes we made at half-time helped us get that result.

“We need to be in front at half-time. I think we can get a positive result if we can do that.”

Battiato has been battling illness this week but managed to get to training on Thursday and was happy with what he saw, all things considered.

“This is a hard time of the year,” he said.

“We’re so close to the end, players are tired, there are niggling injuries, but that thirst for promotion keeps pushing the players on.

“The ladies want to make certain of promotion, and the other thing driving us is that, realistically, this is the last weekend where Brunswick Juventus might slip up.

“They have to go to North Geelong, and if they were to slip up and we didn’t get all three points, we’d be pretty upset, so that just makes the three points even more important.”

With the Reserves already awarded the three points and Bundoora announcing that they have forfeited the earlier kick-off, Battiato was looking forward to giving Ressies leading goalscorer Kiana Kyriazis a chance in the firsts.

“She was meant to play last week against Keilor Park, but she scored a hat-trick in 10 minutes and then copped an elbow that left her a bit sore,” he said.

“She’s unfortunate that the strikeforce we have this season, it’s been an incredibly tough forward line to break into.

“I’m not sure how much she will play, but she’ll be on the bench, and I think it will be nice to see her on the park for the seniors.”