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Time to travel.
Three rounds in, the Redbacks have played two at The Web and made a short trip to Manningham for the opener. This is different. Myers Reserve in North Geelong is an hour and change down the freeway, a switch from synthetic to natural grass, and the first proper away day of the VPLW campaign.
Eltham head south in strong shape. Seven points from nine. Unbeaten. Nine goals scored, three conceded. Izzy Berks has five goals in three matches after her brace against Bayside last week, and there is no indication the English winger is slowing down. Claudia Dimasi has two goals of her own – the skipper leading from the front when it matters. The second half against Bayside was as controlled as anything this squad has produced, equalising before the break before Berks took over. That is the mark of a side that trusts in its structure and principles of play.
Geelong Galaxy United sit sixth with six points from three rounds. They beat Ringwood City 1-0 in the opener, lost 0-2 to FC Clifton Hill in Round 2, and bounced back with a 2-0 win over Melbourne University last time out. A solid if inconsistent start, with two clean sheets proving they can be difficult to break down.
All three of Galaxy’s matches so far have been at Myers Reserve. They are a regional outfit with genuine history and pedigree in Victorian women’s football – grand finalists in the inaugural NPLW in 2016 and again in 2017 before dropping down the pyramid. They finished tenth in 2025 with a record that contrasts sharply with their performances so far this season: 40 goals scored, 48 conceded.
Myers Reserve is their fortress, and the Redbacks are walking into it. Galaxy have won two from three at home, and a side that knows its own ground will be confident of adding to that record. The Redbacks, meanwhile, are building the kind of form that should travel. The draw with Manningham is the only blot on their copybook, and even that performance deserved more.
The surface change is worth noting. The Web’s synthetic pitch rewards quick passing and sharp movement. Natural grass at Myers Reserve will be slower underfoot, and the ball will behave differently. Foa and Giovino, who have been building a productive understanding in the attacking third, will need to adjust their combination play. Orfanidis has been composed in goal all season, and the defence in front of her has conceded just three goals in three rounds. That structure should hold regardless of the venue.
For Eltham, this is the kind of fixture that separates good starts from genuine campaigns. Win away from home, on a different surface, against a side with some pedigree, and the early-season form starts to look like something more than just a promising opening.
Four rounds in. Seven points on the board. A chance to add three more on the road.
Up the ‘Backs.
Round 4 | Sunday 29 March 2026 | 3:00 PM | Myers Reserve, North Geelong (Away)