Luv A Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Celebrate 30 Years of Women’s Football
This Saturday presents a very special occasion on and off the pitch for the Essendon Royals women’s programme, as our Senior Women host South Melbourne at Cross Keys Reserve.
This season marks three decades of Essendon Royals women’s football, from our first trail‑blazing side in 1995 through to today’s NPLW squad, and the next generation in the JGNPL. On Saturday 24 May we’ll honour every woman who has ever laced up a pair of boots, donned a whistle or cheered from the sidelines for our great club.
We look forward to welcoming back many of our former coaches and players at a special pre-game function, sponsored by our wonderful partners from Coburg Super Finish and Power Crank Batteries. Doors open to the wider Royals community from 1:30pm onwards, and special kids meals will be available, as well as the full canteen menu and drinks at bar prices.
The two sides will contest the Coveny Curcija Plate for the first time, celebrating two legends of both clubs. Vaughan Coveny and Michael Curcija formed a fearsome strike partnership that helped Hellas to back-to-back NSL titles, and both pulled on the Royals red in the VPL. Just as significant have been their contributions as coaches and Technical Directors, where they’ve been incredible advocates for our growing female football program.
Vince Battiato’s side will be eyeing another famous result against South Melbourne, after taking four points from their two meetings last year. Essendon has endured a patchy start to 2025, but the Royals are beginning to find their groove, climbing to sixth with wins over Bentleigh Greens and FV Academy.
Fujiwara Airi has starred with three goals in her last two games, while Emma Langley has taken to her new role upfront, netting a double against the Greens.
South Melbourne remains unbeaten in 2025, reeling off five straight wins after an opening-day stalemate against Bentleigh. Three successive draws, however, has seen South relinquish top spot to Heidelberg.
Canadian winger Nikki Furukawa and midfielder Meisha Westland combined for 11 goals in their first five appearances of the season, but neither has found the back of the net since.
With so much to celebrate and silverware to contest, we can’t wait to see the Royals community come together on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3pm, with the U20s raising the curtain from 12:30pm.