The 2025 NPLW Match of the Round Preview
Round 17: Alamein v Essendon Royals
Venue: Dorothy Laver Reserve
Date/Time: Saturday, July 19, 3PM
It’s crunch time in the NPLW, and this Round 17 clash between Essendon Royals and Alamein FC could have huge finals implications
With both sides sitting just one win outside the top four, three points here could be the difference between a finals berth and a near miss as the season edges toward its conclusion.
Essendon come into the contest with momentum, having outlasted FC Bulleen Lions in a thrilling 5-3 shootout last week. Grace Maher led the way with a brace, while Alana Cerne marked her 50th NPLW appearance with a goal of her own.
Alamein, meanwhile, started brightly against Heidelberg United last round—scoring first in an emotional contest—but ultimately fell 4-1 to the high-flying Bergers.
With everything to play for, expect a competitive encounter at Cross Keys Reserve.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 3
Alamein: 2
Essendon Royals: 0
Draws: 1
Last Time They Met
Round 6, Saturday April 26 2025, 3:00pm
Cross Keys Reserve, Essendon
Essendon Royals 2 (Fujiwara 38, Lantieri-Bartley 66);
Alamein 4 (Houghton 49, Anastasopoulos 51, Runnalls 72, Clemenson 85)
Referee: Shab Saban
Essendon Royals: Zara Board, Emma Langley, Mia Lantieri-Bartley, Mikaela Jurcic, Rebekah Van Dort, Sasha Coorey (Betti Michael 62), Airi Fujiwara (Filomena Delic 86), Ava Groba (Emily Harbis 86), Amy Parkinson (Alessia Bresciano 66), Kendrah Smith, Grace Paradis (Cobi Wilbert 62); Coach: Vince Battiato; Cautions: Langley 52.
Alamein: Olivia Cowan (Kate Bean 46), Estelle Bougias, Chinatsu Shidara, Madison Van Dooren (Harriet Lohrey 70), Jessica Shilton, Dakota Thyssen (Matilda Lohrey 70), Savanna Anastasopoulos (Priya Archdeacon 80), Paige Clemenson, Emma Runnalls, Zoe Houghton, Neve Duston; Coach: John Kyrgios; Cautions: Houghton 65, Clemenson 73.
The Key Matchup: Zoe Houghton v Rebekah Van Dort
Alamein’s attacking duo of Zoe Houghton (6 goals) and Emma Runnalls (5 goals) have been in great form this season and will no doubt test Vince Battiato’s backline. Houghton’s pace and finishing have been a constant threat, while Runnalls’ finishing and creativity makes her just as dangerous.
Essendon’s New Zealand defender Rebekah Van Dort shapes as a key match-up for Houghton, with Mikaela Juricic also likely to play a crucial role in shutting down Alamein’s forward threats.
With so much on the line, this clash could be pivotal in the final result.
Commentator: Hanh Solo
The 2025 NPLW Round 17 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
NPLW Round 17 Matches
- Friday 25 July, 7:30pm: Box Hill United v Heidelberg United @ Wembley Park
- Friday 25 July, 8:30pm: Spring Hills v South Melbourne @ Springside Recreation Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 3:00pm: Brunswick Juventus v Alamein @ CB Smith Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 3:00pm: Essendon Royals v Boroondara Eagles @ Cross Keys Reserve
- Saturday 26 July, 4:00pm: FC Bulleen Lions v Bentleigh Greens vs @ Veneto Club
- Sunday 27 July, 3:00pm: Preston Lions v FV Academy @ Genis Steel Stadium