Evado Studios Match Report: Royals press, punish and power past champions

Essendon Royals did not ease into 2026. They attacked it.

In Jaiden Van Der Heijden’s first competitive match in charge, the Royals travelled to Wembley Park and defeated reigning champions Box Hill United 3–1, producing a performance built on structure, bravery and clinical finishing.

The opener was crafted, not forced.

The move began with Royals recovering possession in the middle of the park. Kendra Smith found Ayana Kawasumi, who quickly fed the ball into Callie McGrawdy. McGrawdy controlled cleanly, beat her defender and slid a perfectly weighted reverse pass into the path of Isabella Sewards. Sewards timed her run, met the ball in stride and finished with authority to give Essendon a deserved early lead.

Box Hill responded almost immediately. Sydney Minarik latched onto a long clearance, broke beyond the Royals’ high line and raced through on goal before producing a composed finish to level the scores. It was direct, efficient and a reminder of the danger the champions carry in transition.

The home side nearly took the lead before the break. A sharp save from Zara Board initially denied Box Hill, and in the scramble that followed the champions struck the post with the net gaping. It was a defining moment. Essendon survived.

The second half shifted the tone.

The go-ahead goal arrived through quality and conviction. Bronte Peel delivered a beautiful ball into the box, and Kelli McGroarty, unmarked centrally, stretched to steer home a superb finish. It was the type of striker’s movement and touch the Royals recruited her for.

The third sealed it.

Substitute Alessia Bresciano, freshly introduced, surged down the right wing and whipped a dangerous cross into the area. The initial effort was blocked, but the rebound spilled just outside the box where McGroarty reacted first. Her first-time strike bent into the far bottom corner. Precise. Controlled. Emphatic.

A brace on debut. A 3–1 away win against the defending champions. A statement to open the campaign.

For Van Der Heijden, it was proof that his side can press, recover possession and attack with purpose. For McGroarty, it was a wonderful start to life at the Royals. For the competition, it was notice.

Essendon Royals have arrived in NPLW in 2026.