Luv A Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Look To Preserve Perfect Record Against Box Hill

After a winning start to 2025, the Essendon Royals women travel to Wembley Park on Friday night, hoping to repeat the feats of last season. 

A brilliant debut goal from Japanese import Airi Fujiwara was enough to secure all three points against Brunswick Juventus in Round 1. Lining up from a free kick 20 yards from goal, Fujiwara cleverly deceived the goalkeeper and picked out the bottom corner to send the Royals home with the win. 

Essendon hold a perfect record against ‘Pythagoras’ from last season, prevailing 2-1 in both meetings. Ava Groba was the difference at Cross Keys Reserve, scoring the opener before laying on the second for Reona Omiya.

The Royals trailed early in the return fixture at Wembley Park thanks to a neat finish from A-League Women’s star Rhianna Pollicina, but Dani Marshall soon equalised after Julia Sardo’s long-range effort came back off the woodwork. Omiya popped up again with what proved to be the winner – an unstoppable left-footed drive from the top of the box.

Box Hill were highly competitive in their Round 1 defeat, falling 2-1 away to the reigning minor premiers FC Bulleen Lions. Danella Butrus found an early opener for the home side, before Anais Josefski doubled the lead after 35 minutes with a dazzling solo goal. A giveaway from Bulleen custodian Emily Shields allowed Gabrielle Simpson to pull a goal back midway through the second half, chipping the backpedaling goalkeeper from well outside the box. The visitors mustered eight shots on target to Bulleen’s five, but failed to convert their opportunities to equalise. 

With the successes of last season still fresh in the memory, Vince Battiato’s side are every chance to make it two wins from two to start the year.

Kickoff is set for 7:30PM at Wembley Park on Friday night, with the U20s in action on Saturday from 12PM.