This preview is proudly brought to you by Jellis Craig North East.
Six rounds in, still unbeaten, and the title race has never been tighter.
Eltham return to The Web on Saturday evening for Round 7 of the VPL Women, hosting Brunswick Juventus FC in a fixture that carries real weight at this stage of the season. The Redbacks sit second on 14 points, one behind leaders FC Clifton Hill who hold 15, with Bundoora United a further two back in third on 12. All three unbeaten sides know what is at stake, and a home win at Eltham North Reserve keeps the pressure squarely on the team at the top.
The draw against Bundoora last week was earned the hard way – a goal down at Hillsview with 11 minutes remaining, Paige Foa levelled it to keep the run intact. That kind of resilience on the road says something real about this squad’s character. Coming home now, on a synthetic surface they have made their own, with a goal difference of plus 13 from six rounds, the Redbacks women come in as favourites.
Brunswick Juventus arrive in decent shape, fifth on 11 points from their own five-match unbeaten spell. They are yet to beat a team in the top three, but three wins on the bounce suggests a side rapidly growing in confidence.
This is the first women’s fixture between these clubs since 2023, adding its own dimension to a rivalry that runs deep through the men’s programme. Eltham’s men defeated Brunswick Juventus 3-0 in 2025 to clinch promotion from VPL2, and emerged victorious again this year, with a 2-0 win over Juve in Round 2.
The Eltham front three are in fine form, with Izzy Berks second in the Golden Boot race on eight, while American duo Ally Giovino and Paige Foa have three apiece.
Saturday is Anzac Day, and a 6pm kick-off under the lights at The Web adds its own atmosphere to a fixture that already has plenty to recommend it.
Up the ‘Backs.