Luv-A-Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Set for Finals Warm-Up at Cross Keys

The Essendon Royals close out their home-and-away campaign on Saturday with a blockbuster clash against ladder leaders Heidelberg United at Cross Keys Reserve.

Finals football is already locked in for the Royals after a strong second half of the season, but the Royals know there’s still plenty to play for.

Sitting fourth, Essendon could yet shuffle the order of the top four – and with Heidelberg a potential opponent in finals, this weekend’s meeting doubles as both a test and a dress rehearsal.

The Royals come into the game off the back of a narrow 2-1 loss away to South Melbourne, a result that ended a six-match unbeaten run but didn’t derail their top-four push. Before that, Essendon rattled off five straight wins, including clean sheets against FV Academy and Boroondara, and a five-goal showing away at Bulleen.

Saturday’s contest will also mark Grace Maher’s first potential start since returning from injury. The midfielder came off the bench at Lakeside last week, and her calm presence in possession is a timely boost ahead of the finals.

Emma Langley (eight goals) and Airi Fujiwara (12 goals) remain key outlets in attack, while Olivia Wood has chipped in with valuable goals and energy in her debut Royals season.

Heidelberg, meanwhile, have been the benchmark for much of 2025, but they arrive at Cross Keys on the back of a surprise 4-1 defeat to Bulleen. 

With Sawa Matsuda (18 goals) leading the line, supported by experienced campaigners like Cameron Barreiro and Bronte Peel, the Bergers remain a formidable unit and will be eager to rebound before finals begin.

With finals locked in but momentum on the line, the Royals will view this as the perfect chance to measure themselves against the competition’s frontrunners – and perhaps lay down a marker ahead of a potential rematch in just a week’s time.

Kick-off at Cross Keys Reserve is set for 3pm, with the U20s in action earlier at 12:30pm.