Momentum is a fragile thing. Round 2 made it feel a lot less fragile.
After the frustration of a draw in the opener against Manningham, where the Redbacks dominated for 85 minutes only to be pegged back at the death, the response against Melbourne University was as emphatic as it gets. Four goals. Clean sheet. A performance that matched the control of Round 1 with the composure in front of goal that was missing.
Izzy Berks set the tone early, scoring inside four minutes and adding a second before half-time. Kristina Dimitrovski struck in the seventh minute to make it two inside the opening ten. Julia Mamone completed the rout late on. Four different phases of the match, four goals. That is a side with multiple avenues to hurt you.
Eltham sit third on the VPLW ladder after two rounds. Played two, won one, drawn one. Four points. Plus four goal difference. For a squad still building combinations, the early signs are encouraging.
Bayside Argonauts are the visitors this week, and they arrive winless after two rounds. A 3-2 loss away to Ballarat City in the opener was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Manningham in Round 2. Two matches, two losses, zero points. They are a side still searching for their first result of the campaign.
That does not make them a side to take lightly. Five goals conceded is a concern, but four scored across two matches shows they carry attacking capability. Any team coming off consecutive losses will be looking to respond, and the Argonauts will see a trip to Eltham as a chance to reset before the fixtures get harder.
But The Web is becoming a difficult ground to visit. The synthetic surface suits the Redbacks, who train on it week in, week out. The men’s side have already established home advantage this season, and with a 4-0 win under the lights last time out, the women’s squad are building the same.
For Eltham, the priorities are clear. Start fast again. Convert the chances that come. Keep the defensive structure that has conceded just two goals across two rounds. If Berks, Paige Foa, and Ally Giovino can replicate the movement and combination play of Round 2, the Argonauts will have problems.
Three points on Saturday would move the Redbacks to seven from nine. Genuine top-four form in the opening weeks.
The Web. Round 3. Another chance to show this squad belongs here.
Up the ‘Backs.
Round 3 | Saturday 21 March 2026 | Eltham North Reserve, The Web (Home)