On the final day of the regular season, a draw will send the Redbacks men to the promotion play-offs. The side standing in Eltham’s way has already won the division.
Melbourne Knights come to Eltham North Reserve on Sunday afternoon as VPL1 champions, confirmed last Friday night, as Brunswick Juve’s dramatic late revival spelled the end for Northcote’s title hopes. Mick Calandrella has sent Knights back to the top flight at the first time of asking, built on the competition’s sturdiest backline – conceding just 17 goals across 23 games.
Sixth place for the Redbacks would mean a playoff semi final away to Northcote or Melbourne Victory, and a chance at three successive promotions under Alan Mulcahy. A draw carries Eltham to 36 points, level with the very best FC Melbourne Srbija can manage, and a +16 goal difference advantages settles the tiebreak comfortably. Only a defeat opens the door, and even then Srbija have to win away at Brunswick City to walk through it. Fifth is beyond reach, with Bulleen Lions on 39, so maintaining their place in the best the Redbacks can strive for.
The case for Sunday rests on what this team does at the attacking end. 51 goals is the joint-highest tally in the league, level with Melbourne Victory and ten more than the champions have managed. Six were scored at Langwarrin, five at home to Manningham a fortnight ago, eight against Port Melbourne in May. Billy Romas has netted 16 this season, and is still an outside chance of winning the Golden Boot, trailing Victory’s Mikey Ghossaini on 18.
The reverse fixture was a 0-4 defeat at Tompsett Stadium in May, and there is nothing to be gained by dwelling on that result. But Eltham have suffered defeat on home turf just once all season, and have every reason to believe they can keep that record intact.
Whatever happens this weekend, Sunday will be Eltham’s last game at The Web in 2026. Time to turn that into a shot at the NPL.
Eltham North Reserve, Sunday 30 August, 3pm. Up the ‘Backs.