ESSENDON
A place in the promotion playoffs is already secured, but the work doesn’t stop there for Essendon Royals in VPL 2. With an automatic spot and home-ground advantage in the playoffs still both on the table, the Royals cross the city to take on Eastern Lions on Friday night.
A week off has the Royals refreshed but not having broken stride in the midst of an eight-game unbeaten run, with six wins and 27 goals in that time. That charge has taken Essendon to third place on 44 points, three clear of Bayside Argonauts in fourth and, crucially, within distance of the leading pair – Goulburn Valley Suns on top on 51 and Malvern City one point behind in second.
Royals did it the hard way before the break, coming back from an early 2-0 deficit to storm past Altona City and win 3-2. Frank Mulhern has quickly settled into life at the Royals with three goals in his first five matches since joining the club, Marcus Kotronis is on fire and the unbeatable form at Cross Keys continues.
But Friday night is not at Cross Keys, and Eastern Lions are unbeaten in their last five at home while also impressing on the road against Malvern last time out, earning a 2-2 draw. They came just about as close as any team has to taking points of Essendon at Cross Keys this season, too, with an 84th-minute goal from Christian Pollifrone ultimately scoring the Royals a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture.
It all sets up a contest that will require total concentration and a full 90-minute performance. Three of Essendon’s last five wins have come against teams in the bottom five, but they’ve been gritty, coming from behind, scrapping for the right to take the three points. Now facing off against the team sixth from the bottom, this one is sure to be another prime example of that.
Kick-off is 7:45pm Friday at Gardiners Creek Reserve.