Geelong Holiday Inn Match Preview: Blockbusters continue for Royals as Juve test awaits
Essendon Royals’ busy week continues on Friday night when they head to CB Smith Reserve to take on fellow fast starters Brunswick Juventus at 8:30 PM.
Our weekly previews are brought to you by the Geelong Holiday Inn, as we look ahead to the upcoming rounds of action in both the league and Dockerty Cup.
Friday night will be the Royals’ third game in seven days, after defeating Nunawading City last Friday night in the league and seeing off FC Bulleen Lions in a Dockerty Cup classic on Tuesday night.
Royals showed tremendous grit throughout the contest, twice coming from behind to eventually win it in extra time thanks to an Ali Eyigun penalty.
Watch the highlights from our 4-3 win over FC Bulleen Lions below.
Michael Ferrante was able to shuffle the deck for the clash with Bulleen, resting the likes of Phil Riccobene, Will Thomason, Brad Norton and Ethan Georgopoulos, while Jordan Adeyemi – who scored a brace – started from the bench.
Essendon are still undefeated in the league, but their brilliant start will be put to the test against a Juve side who sit just above them on the standings.
Juventus are only goal difference clear of the Royals to start the season after five wins and two losses, with the most recent of those being a 1-0 defeat at the hands of North Sunshine Eagles last week.
Oliver Stankovski’s side also bowed out of the Cup in midweek, falling to a 4-2 loss against Heidelberg United.
Despite their recent dip in form, they’re not a team to be taken lightly, boasting a tonne of quality across the pitch including Thomas Barforosh, Wonsuk Choi, Phil Petreski, Matthew Whatley, Steve Sokol and more.
Royals will also be without Davey Van’t Schip as he serves the final match of his two game ban following his red card against Nunawading, but should regain Dean Clarke after his suspension came to an end this week.
The Under 23s will take the field just prior to kick-off at 6:15 PM, looking to get back on the winners list after a 1-1 draw with Nunawading.
Juventus’ 23s sit top of the league, and come into the contest off the back of a thirlling 5-4 win over North Sunshine.