Men’s Geelong Holiday Inn & Suites Match Preview: Royals Set For Blockbuster Local Derby Against Juve

After an impressive road win over Springvale White Eagles, the Essendon Royals return home to JH Allan Reserve on Saturday for a mouthwatering clash with Brunswick Juventus.

With four wins from the first six games of the VPL2 season, the Royals find themselves in 2nd, a point clear of Brunswick. Juventus, however, still have a game in hand, after their Round 4 fixture against Werribee was abandoned due to a power outage.  

Brunswick were victorious in their first meeting with Essendon last season, winning 2-0 at CB Smith Reserve, but the Royals flipped the script in the return leg at Cross Keys. Dean Clarke and Jordan Adeyemi helped themselves to a brace each, with Marcus Kotronis nabbing a goal off the bench in a 5-0 demolition. Clarke’s long-range drive from a short free kick routine and Adeyemi’s cheeky backheel were particular highlights in Essendon’s biggest win of the season.

Despite their strong start to 2025, Juventus come into Round 7 off the back of a surprising 3-0 home defeat to Box Hill United. After Lewis Gilboy missed from point-blank range in the first half, Brunswick went behind early in the second thanks to a tidy finish from Ruben Sanchez Marcano. Juventus had the chance to equalise from the penalty spot on the hour mark, but Max Batchelor’s attempted panenka came back off the crossbar. A horror giveaway from goalkeeper Liam Price then allowed Nick Stefanidakis to score into an empty net from just over the halfway line, before another defensive error from Luca Lovic let in Agustin Casco, who audaciously chipped Price from outside the box. 

Brunswick will still be without Jamie Gazelle, who was sent off against Geelong in Round 5. Lachlan Smith leads the Juve scoring charts, but hasn’t found the back of the net since his brilliant hat-trick against Pascoe Vale in Round 2.

Essendon will be sweating on the fitness of match-winner Seb Lo Monaco, who was stretchered off shortly after his decisive strike. Phil Riccobene was also forced off early, with his replacement Vincent Nicoletti scoring his first goal of the season. A big congratulations is in order for Will Thomason, who is away in camp with Sri Lanka and preparing to face Thailand in AFC Asian Cup qualification.

Following back-to-back away wins, we can’t wait to hear the Royals fans in full voice on Saturday afternoon for a massive Italian derby.

🆚 Essendon Royals SC vs Brunswick Juventus FC

📍 JH Allan Reserve

📅 Saturday, 22 March

⏰ Seniors at 3 PM, U23s at 12:45 PM