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The record books don’t have much to say about Eltham Redbacks versus Manningham United Blues. If a senior fixture between these clubs exists from the last couple of decades, it didn’t leave many traces. On Saturday afternoon at Pettys Reserve, they’ll write whatever opening line this chapter turns out to need.
The week started with a Dockerty Cup tie against Essendon Royals. The 4-0 result came against a Royals side that was built around younger players and fringe personnel, so the scoreline tells you little about either club’s league credentials. However, the Redbacks themselves featured eight teenagers, showcasing yet again the club’s proud credentials in promoting home-grown youth all the way to Alan Mulcahy’s first team.
Batchelor, Foryabee, Romas, and Ross all found the net. For two of the four, it was their first goal in senior football. That sort of contribution from beyond the regular XI is the mark of a squad building real depth.
The league form is the cleaner read. Eltham sit third in VPL1 on 20 points, two behind Brunswick Juventus and three back from Northcote City, who came to The Web last Friday night and left with only a share of the spoils, after Temor Foryabee – appearing again here in the cup goalscorers list – equalised deep in stoppage time. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp once famously referred to his side as ‘mentality monsters’. Another last-gasp comeback is yet more proof that Mulcahy’s Redbacks belong in the same category.
Manningham come into Saturday having lost to relegation-threatened Port Melbourne last time out, and they’ll be desperate to respond at home. Nick Marinos’ team have proven highly capable on their home deck, and the Redbacks will need to approach it with the same composure they’ve shown in difficult away fixtures throughout the year.
The table is tight enough that three points on the road could close the gap significantly on the sides above them. With a fine run of form in the league, a well-rested starting XI, and a cup win demonstrating the depth of quality in the squad, Eltham have every reason to believe they can bring three points home again.
Up the ‘Backs.