Luv A Duck Women’s Match Preview: Royals Ready to Test Themselves Against Eagles
Essendon Royals head to the Veneto Club on Saturday night for a crucial clash against Boroondara-Carey Eagles, as Vince Battiato’s side looks to bounce back from a rollercoaster start to the NPLW season.
The Royals will be eager to respond after last week’s 4-2 defeat to Alamein FC at home. Despite taking the lead through Airi Fujiwara and then later eqaulsiing at 2-2 via Kendrah Smith, Essendon ultimately fell away late against one of the competition’s sharpest outfits.
The performance, however, offered flashes of the Royals’ attacking quality – a trait they’ll need to lean on heading into this weekend.
Their opponents, Boroondara-Carey Eagles, have also had a mixed start to 2025. Sitting fourth on the table, the Eagles have claimed strong wins over Preston, Spring Hills and Brunswick Juventus but fell 3-0 to FC Bulleen Lions last time out.
Despite their stumble against Bulleen, Boroondara remain a dangerous outfit, with Drew Dempsey and Priya Savarirayan leading the charge with three goals apiece.
The history between these two sides adds extra spice to the encounter. Last season, the Royals suffered two painful defeats to Boroondara—going down 2-1 early in the year despite a promising start, before enduring a heavy 5-0 loss in a rare off-night later in the campaign.
Those memories will no doubt fuel Battiato’s squad as they aim to flip the script in 2025.
For the Royals, the challenge remains clear: turning dominant periods of play into goals and tightening up defensively when momentum shifts. While scoring chances have been created in abundance this season, converting them consistently – and avoiding lapses at the back – will be key if Essendon are to return to the winner’s list.
With attacking talents like Fujiwara, Groba, and Grace Paradis combining well, and strong leadership through the spine of the team, Essendon know their best football is good enough to trouble any opponent in the league.
Kick-off is set for 7:00 PM on Saturday night at the Veneto Club’s David Barro Stadium. With the Royals hungry to get back on track, it promises to be another fiercely contested battle under lights.