Women’s Match Preview: Royals take on Alamein in last tune-up before finals as they look to secure all-important top two finish

Essendon Royals’ senior women will be in action for the final time in the NPLW Victoria home and away season, when they take on Alamein in their final tune-up before finals football at Cross Keys Reserve.

Royals were held to a 2-2 draw against second-placed Preston Lions in wet and wild conditions at BT Connor Reserve last Friday night, which had major ramifications for not only the race for a top two finish, but the Premiership.

Despite being on equal points, the draw meant Preston were able to remain clear of Essendon on the ladder on goal difference heading into the final round, while league leaders FC Bulleen Lions took full advantage of the stalemate, when they defeated Alamein 4-1 the following day to wrap up the Premiership.

Watch the highlights from our 2-2 draw with Preston Lions.

However, fourth-placed Heidelberg United – who could have jumped into a third with a win – went down against relegation contender Bentleigh Greens, in a major boost for the Royals and remain three points adrift of Essendon heading into this weekend.

Now, the stage is set for this weekend, where Essendon will be hoping to still secure a top-two finish and as a result, a home semi-final.

Here are the scenarios in play for this weekend:

Essendon will simply need to better Preston’s result against Heidelberg on Saturday to finish in second-spot.

• A Royals win and a draw between the Bergers and Preston, a Royals win and Heidelberg win or a Royals draw and a Heidelberg win will ensure Essendon finish second.
  
• A Royals win and a Preston win would mean Essendon finish in third on the ladder and take on the latter on the road in an away semi-final, as would the Royals being held to a draw or losing against Alamein should Preston win or draw against Heidelberg.
  
• An Essendon loss and a Heidelberg win would mean Royals fall into fourth spot on the ladder.

Their opponents this weekend, Alamein, fell to seventh on the ladder after going down against Bulleen and will be hoping to end this season on a high note, having already beaten the Royals once this season.

Goals from Catherine Renehan and Rebecca Saber cancelled out Dani Marshall’s second-half strike, as Alamein claimed a big three points at Dorothy Laver Reserve.

Watch the highlights from the last time we faced Alamein.

Saber has been a constant for Alamein this season, scoring 16 goals, while Sidney Allen has 10 goals to her name.

Kick-off is at 3 PM – as are all other matches in NPLW Victoria this round – and the Under 20s take the field at 12:30 PM.

Both Royals’ and Alamein’s Under 20s fell to defeat last week against Preston and Bulleen respectively, leaving Essendon in ninth, while Alamein sit in third.