Essendon Royals SC are just one win away from creating history, with the chance to become the first club to claim both the Steph Catley Plate and the Nike FC Cup when they face Heidelberg United on Saturday, 1 August.
Their road to the final has been anything but straightforward, requiring extra time to overcome VPLW leaders Bundoora United before edging fellow Senol NPLW Victoria side Alamein FC in a tense penalty shootout.
Round 3
Essendon Royals 2-1 Melbourne Victory
The Royals began their 2026 Nike FC Cup campaign with a tough assignment against Melbourne Victory, but benefited from home ground advantage.
Despite the Victory squad being relatively young, they boasted plenty of quality, with a number of players having featured in FV Academy's run to the 2024 Nike FC Cup Semi-Finals, where they narrowly fell to Bulleen Lions.
New Zealand import Maggie Jenkins got the Royals off to the perfect start on a cold weeknight, opening the scoring in the 34th minute.
Bronte Peel then doubled Essendon's advantage five minutes later, handing the home side a comfortable buffer heading into the closing stages.
Speedy winger Fiorina Iaria showcased her class with an 87th-minute strike to breathe life into a late Victory comeback, but the visitors were unable to find another goal as Essendon held firm to secure their place in the next round of the Nike FC Cup.
Round 4
Eltham Redbacks 0-3 Essendon Royals
The next challenge in the Royals' cup journey saw them hit the road to face Eltham Redbacks in what was, at the time, a clash between the VPLW and NPLW league- leaders.
Played on another cold midweek night, it proved to be a fiercely contested encounter. Eltham arguably had the best chance of the 90 minutes when they were awarded a penalty, but the spot kick struck the woodwork and stayed out. Despite both sides searching for a late winner, the match remained deadlocked and headed into extra time.
Once the additional 30 minutes began, Essendon found another gear, taking control of the contest from the opening whistle of extra time through to full-time.
The breakthrough came in the 98th minute through Kelli McGroarty before Ayano Koizumi doubled the Royals' advantage just a minute later, sending Essendon into the extra-time interval with a commanding two-goal lead.
Needing a miracle to force a penalty shootout, Eltham pushed forward in the final 15 minutes, but it wasn't to be. Instead, Essendon sealed the result in the 117th minute as McGroarty completed her brace, capping off an outstanding cameo after entering the match in the 68th minute and sending the Royals into the next round of the Nike FC Cup.
Quarter Final
Alamein FC 0-0 (5-6) Essendon Royals
The Royals' Nike FC Cup journey continued with a trip to The Home of the Matildas, where they faced Alamein FC in a stern Quarter Final test between two top-six contenders in the Senol NPLW Victoria.
Both sides created chances throughout the 90 minutes as they searched for the breakthrough, but neither could find the decisive finish, with the contest remaining scoreless at full-time.
Extra time was required to separate the two sides, and it was Grace Maher who finally broke the deadlock, putting Essendon in front and setting up a thrilling final 15 minutes.
Just as the Royals looked set to book their place in the Semi Final, but Chelsea Blissett struck in the 112th minute to level the scores and force a dramatic penalty shootout.
The shootout proved just as tense as the match itself, requiring 11 penalties to decide the winner. After Harriet Lohrey's effort was saved, Isabella Sewards stepped up with composure, calmly converting the decisive spot-kick to send Essendon through to the next round of the Nike FC Cup.
Semi Final
Bulleen Lions 2-4 Essendon Royals
In the Royals' final hurdle before reaching the 2026 Nike FC Cup Final, Essendon faced one of the toughest assignments in the NPLW, taking on Bulleen Lions at the Veneto Club.
Essendon's cup run looked to be in serious trouble early in the Semi Final with Claudia Mihocic forcing the ball over the line after a goal line scramble before Maja Markovski doubled the Lions' advantage just minutes later with a composed finish.
The blistering start from Bulleen left the Royals staring down a two-goal deficit inside the opening 10 minutes. However, Essendon responded almost immediately.
A dangerous Grace Maher delivery across the face of goal caused chaos in the six-yard box and forced an own goal, giving the visitors a crucial lifeline.
Then, on the stroke of half-time, the Melbourne Victory star produced a moment of brilliance, curling a stunning free kick from just outside the box into the back of the net to level the scores and completely shift the momentum heading into the break.
Essendon carried that momentum into the second half and took control of the contest. Early goals from Paige Kingston-Hogg and Kelli McGroarty completed a remarkable turnaround, sealing a famous 4-2 come-from-behind victory and booking the Royals' place in the 2026 Nike FC Cup Final.
2026 Nike FC Cup Final
Heidelberg United v Essendon Royals
All roads lead to The Home of The Matildas as Heidelberg United and Essendon Royals prepare to battle for one of Victorian football's most prestigious trophies in the 2026 Nike FC Cup Final.
The decider marks the eighth meeting between the two clubs, with Heidelberg holding a narrow 4-3 advantage in the head-to-head record.