The 2025 NPLW Round 11 Match of the Round
Preview
Round 11: Heidelberg United v Essendon Royals
Venue: Olympic Village
Date/Time: Saturday, May 31 2025, 4:15PM
It’s top vs. contender this Saturday at Olympic Village as ladder leaders Heidelberg United host 2024 Semi-Finalists Essendon Royals in a blockbuster clash.
The Bergers sit two points clear of second-placed Boroondara, while the Royals sit sixth — but a win could launch them into the top four.
Up front, Heidelberg’s Sawa Matsuda has been on fire with 10 goals in 10 games, leading the competition. For Essendon, fellow Japanese striker Airi Fujiwara has six goals to her name, while Emma Langley, shifting up the pitch, has chipped in with four.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 4
Heidelberg United: 1
Essendon Royals: 3
Draws: 0
Last Time They Met
Round 14, Saturday 22 June 2024, 3:00pm @ Cross Keys Reserve, Essendon.
Essendon Royals 2 (Groba 53, Oastler 82);
Heidelberg United 0.
Referee: Danielle Anderson.
Essendon Royals: Bethany Mason-Jones, Marie Rampal, Mikaela Jurcic, Julia Sardo, Danielle Marshall, Ava Groba (Olivia Ristevski 85), Reona Omiya (Emily Sutcliffe 85), Kendrah Smith (Raquel Deralas 55), Emma Robers, Tyla Vlajnic, Audrey Oastler (Filomena Delic 88); Coach: Vince Battiato; Cautions: Vlajnic 61.
Heidelberg United: Mia Bailey, Cameron Barreiro, Sarah Odonoghue, Stephanie Galea, Kathryn Vlahopoulos (Ava Bitzios 81), Keely Lockhart, Margot Robinne, Asuka Miyata, Olivia Edwards (Daniella Galluccio 71), Maddison Rakic, Sienna Western
Coach: Sven Samild; Cautions: Rakic 26.
Key Matchup: Rosie Wild v Emma Langley
Rosie Wild has slotted seamlessly into the heart of Heidelberg United's defence after arriving from Brunswick Juventus, anchoring the reigning champions at the top of the table.
For Essendon Royals, Emma Langley has been a consistent threat up front, netting four goals and bringing A-Leagues and Calder United experience into the forward line.
If Heidelberg are to extend their strong run, Wild will need to be at her best to shut down Langley and the Royals' attacking push.
The 2025 NPLM Round 11 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator:
NPLW Round 11 Matches
Friday 30 May, 8:30pm: Preston Lions vs Box Hill United @ Genis Steel Stadium
Saturday 31 May, 3:00pm: Brunswick Juventus vs Bulleen Lions @ CB Smith Reserve
Saturday 31 May, 3:00pm: Alamein vs Spring Hills @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
Saturday 31 May, 3:00pm: FV Academy vs Bentleigh Greens @ Home of the Matildas
Saturday 31 May, 4:15pm: Heidelberg United vs Essendon Royals @ Olympic Village
Sunday 1 June, 2:00pm: South Melbourne vs Boroondara Eagles @ Lakeside Stadium