The 2025 NPLW Round 7 Match of the Round is set to have massive ramifications for the mid-table as we head towards the mid-point of the season.
Preview
Round 7: Boroondara Eagles v Essendon Royals
Venue: Veneto Club
Date/Time: Saturday 3 May 2025, 7:00pm
Boroondara welcomes Essendon Royals in the NPLW Round 7 Match of the Round, with both teams eager to bounce back from disappointing results. Boroondara sits fifth on the ladder with a 3-3 record, while the Royals are eighth with two wins, a draw, and three losses.
Last round, Essendon fell 4-2 to Alamein, despite goals from Fujiwara and Lantieri-Bartley, while Boroondara suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bulleen in the battle of the Veneto Club.
Both sides will lean on their experienced leaders — Hayley Geurts, Ellen Turner, Candela Ferreyra Bas, and goalkeeper Mia Mossman for Boroondara, and Emma Langley, Ava Groba, and New Zealand duo Kendra Smith and Rebekah van Dort for the Royals.
With vital points up for grabs, don’t miss this crucial clash at the Veneto Club this Saturday.
Head-to-Head Record
Played: 2
Boroondara Eagles: 2
Essendon Royals: 0
Draws: 0
Last Time They Met
Round 15, Saturday June 29 2024, 5:00pm @ Veneto Club, Bulleen.
Boroondara Eagles 5 (Okino 4, 5, 74, Hollar 45+2, Curtis 66);
Essendon Royals 0.
Referee: Lucas Bonnitcha.
Boroondara Eagles: Malee Siketa, Anna Liacopoulos, Ellen Turner (Roisin Murphy 79), Rosie Curtis, Anais Josefski, Venetia Ying Xuan Lim, Gabrielle Hollar, Hayley Geurts (Cicily Paraskevas 79), Madison Schaddee Van Dooren, Emily Rutkowski, Kurea Okino;
Coach: John Kyrgios;
Essendon Royals: Bethany Mason-Jones, Mikaela Jurcic (Jacinta Da Cruz 64), Julia Sardo, Danielle Marshall, Emily Sutcliffe (Filomena Delic 46), Raquel Deralas (Mia Lantieri-Bartley 64), Ava Groba (Olivia Ristevski 87), Reona Omiya (Marie Rampal 35), Emma Robers, Tyla Vlajnic, Audrey Oastler;
Coach: Vince Battiato;
Watch the last time they met!
Key Matchup: Attacking Threats Take Centre Stage in the NPLW Match of the Round
This week’s NPLW Match of the Round will come down to which forward line can seize the moment.
For Boroondara, all eyes are on their attacking duo of Rachel Stirton and Candela Ferreyra Bas. Despite only one goal between them for the season, their quality is undeniable. Stirton brings sharp movement and work rate, while Ferreyra Bas – a former Gold Medalist – has the pedigree and big-game experience to break the deadlock when it counts most. With the Eagles looking to make a statement at home, this could be the perfect moment for both to step up.
Essendon, on the other hand, showed attacking promise last week with two goals and will be looking to build on that performance. The experienced Ava Groba and talented youngster Filomena Delic will be key to unlocking Boroondara’s defence, while veteran Mia Lantieri-Bartley—fresh off a goal last round—adds calm and composure up front.
But keep an eye on Alessia Bresciano—the daughter of Socceroos great Mark—who added a spark off the bench last week and could be a game-changer in this clash.
The 2025 NPLW Round 7 Match of the Round will be broadcast live and free on the NPL Victoria YouTube Channel.
Commentator: William Bennett
NPLW Round 7 Matches
Friday May 2, 6:15pm: Bentleigh Greens vs Bulleen Lions @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Saturday May 3, 3:00pm: Alamein vs Brunswick Juventus @ Dorothy Laver West Reserve
Saturday May 3, 3:00pm: FV Academy vs Preston Lions @ Home of the Matildas
Saturday May 3, 3:00pm: South Melbourne vs Spring Hills @ Lakeside Stadium
Saturday May 3, 4:15pm: Heidelberg United vs Box Hill United @ Olympic Village
Saturday May 3, 7:00pm: Boroondara Eagles vs Essendon Royals @ Veneto Club