By Kieran Yap 8/7/25
Above: FV Academy Celebrates Clancy Westaway’s goal. Photo: Passion Creations
The top four teams all played each other, Box Hill’s form continued to rise and Essendon Royals played out a high scoring classic. But It was FV Academy who stole the show for the second time in three rounds with a hard fought but stylish win over Brunswick Juventus.
It very even a tightly contested across the league this season, and this was both a winnable game for the in-form FV Academy and a must win game for them to avoid the bottom three.
Brunswick had reinforced in the transfer window, adding Mary Stanic-Floody to their attacking midfield. The Young Matildas playmaker has already brought new possibilities to their attack and scored a goal of the season contender, and she would prove a handful for FV Academy on this occasion as well.
FV Academy have added plenty of talent themselves. Players like Jade Tam, Emily Rutkowski and Poppy O’Keeffe have been instrumental in their recent uptick in form. On Friday night at The Home of The Matildas, it was two stars who have been there all season who delivered in front of goal.
The home side started in strong, confident fashion. FV Academy maintained possession with quick passes, good movement and determined pressure. The opening stages were largely spent entirely in their attacking half.
O’Keeffe was tidy and elusive as a deeper playmaker and Kaya Jugovic was busy and creative in attack, while Fiorina Iaria lurked ominously on the shoulder of Brunswick’s left back.
Luckily for the visitors, they could not find the final killer pass, and Brunswick opened the scoring in the 30th minute to take a 1-0 lead.
Natalia O’Leary had previously shown that FV Academy were susceptible to the counter attack, but it was a darting, weaving run by Sabine Montenegro that created the chance. Her low ball across goal was finished off at close range by Danaya Mckenzie.
FV Academy’s response was almost instant. Striking with their own counter-attack, Clancy Westaway’s pass found Iaria who had switched flanks, skipped past the goalkeeper and finished well to level the scores in the 31st minute.
The youngsters took the lead early in the second half with a goal of predatory determination from Westaway. She hovered and stalked the goal kick daring it to be taken short and intercepted it at the second pass. Her finish left no room for error as she lashed it with full power into the net from barely three yards out.
Brunswick fought their way back to level the scores again in what was quickly becoming a classic. O’Leary won the ball back in the forward press, Stanic-Floody took the shot after being played behind the defenders. Charlotte Hrehoresin made a strong save, but could only push the ball away and O’Leary followed up to tap into the empty net.
The momentum swung to Brunswick Juventus’s favour, and Stanic-Floody was denied a goal by a terrific save from Hrehoresin and a desperate off-the line clearance from O’Keeffe, the game was opening up.
The back and forth continued and in the 78th minute, FV Academy had the lead again. Substitute Jasmine Millar’s clever turn in the box earned her side a penalty and Westaway scored it with minimal fuss but maximum confidence.
For the remaining time, Brunswick Juventus were forced to chase the game, FV Academy maintained faith in their ability to keep possession, but their defenders sat slightly deeper, and it was their own counter attack that sealed the result. O’Keeffe and Rutkowski combined to calmly bring the ball out of defence and the sweeping move eventually found Iaria on the far side of play and one-on-one.
In the type of form she was in this game, that was a good as a free run at goal, and she treated it as such, cutting inside from the left and finishing with a shot directed at the far post.
It was 4-2 in added time, and game over.
This was more than just reward for hard work. The effort has been there all season, but in the last month FV Academy have looked in control of games for much longer periods of time, and have developed a more ruthless and confident edge in front of goal. Westaway was exceptional in this game. Decisive in the final third in her passing and hungry in front of goal.
She ended the evening with two goals and an assist in a near complete attacking performance.
Iaria scored two wonderful goals. Her ability to deliver crosses or shots at near full pace is a rare asset and she is able to produce these moments of quality with increasing consistency.
O’Keeffe controlled the midfield for long periods of play. She has a way of creating space for herself with a turn or shift of feet that can open up play further ahead. Her passing is often short, quick and positive. Her goal saving clearance changed the course of the game.
The win takes FV Academy to 10th on the ladder. After a draw against South Melbourne, an honourable defeat to Heidelberg United and a win against a side they previously lost 3-0 to, few teams will look forward to playing them.
Brunswick Juventus can consider themselves unlucky. There were positives. Stanic-Floody has the quality to get the most out of a pacy attack and O’Leary was one of the best players on the pitch regardless of the result.
They will look to bounce back against a South Melbourne side also aiming to make amends for a loss in this round.
Around the Grounds
Bulleen Lions climbed to second on the ladder with a 3-1 win against fellow top four side Alamein. After defeating them in tough conditions in the Nike FC Cup, Bulleen aimed to replicate that result.
Tiffany Eliadis opened the scoring after prodding home from a corner in the 38th minute, but Alamein equalised almost immediately after an in swinging cross landed over the line despite Isabella Accardo’s best efforts to head clear. Ashleigh Lefevre was credited with the goal.
A determined poachers finish by Hollie Massey saw Bulleen retake the lead early in the second half, and Danella Butrus sealed the three points with a late penalty. It was her seventh goal of the season.
Box Hill United continued their climb up the table with a 1-0 win over Bentleigh Greens. New arrival Carina Rossi scored the decisive goal after Sofia Sakalis’s solo run along the goal line created the chance.
Preston Lions and Essendon Royals played out a thrilling 4-3 match. Grace Maher made her debut for The Royals but it was Deven Jackson who stole the show with two stunning solo goals from the wing.
Jackson’s first goal opened the scoring for the night in the 14th minute, but Miri Nishimura struck back a few minutes later for Preston.
Maher’s spot kick regained the lead for Essendon and Jackson’s second provided a two goal cushion.
Georgia Henderson’s 76th minute strike brought it back to 3-2, but Fujiwara Airi found the net for Essendon to bring the score to 4-2 in the 84th minute.
A 90th minute goal for Preston by Mebae Tanaka ensured a dramatic finish, but Essendon had done enough to win.
The only drawn game of the round was between Boroondara-Carey Eagles and Spring Hills FC. Hayley Geurts provided the lead for Boroondara in the 70th minute but an own goal the other way meant that the points were shared.
In the battle between the top two, Cameron Barreiro’s free kick was all that separated Heidelberg United and South Melbourne. It was the full back’s third of the season.
After losing Alana Burn to a red card, it was up uphill battle for South Melbourne against the competition’s in-form team,
“Always Our Number Nine”
In the days following Round 15’s conclusion, tragedy struck. Heidelberg United attacker, star of the league and club legend, Keely Lockhart passed away.
To be honest, I am not sure how to write this. I never met Keely. But she was a player I loved watching. Her performance in the 2024 Grand Final was something truly special. On that day she entered a zone where she seemed aware that she was capable of deciding the result and changing the destiny of everyone else on that pitch with her.
The effort was next level, the individual skill brought out the best in her teammates and the joyous flair on display was extraordinary to watch.
That performance was not especially unique for her career or in an already spectacular season. She had played like this before and often, but that’s why she was a star.
She stood up on the biggest day of the club’s history and through her actions said, “Watch This” and “Follow me,” simultaneously.
I will never forget that game, or that display. The perfect example of how individual talent can enhance the collective. Her late equaliser felt like it was the result of sheer will, but also was one of great composure under immense pressure.
All week, the buzz around the game was about Heidelberg winning it for their long serving figureheads, for Steph, for Helen, for Sven.
As soon as it kicked off, Lockhart was on a mission to deliver. She simply was not going to let them lose that Grand Final.
She made watching this sport a privilege. Worth standing in the rain on a wintery Melbourne night for alone. It was an honour to see her at her best, and by all accounts she was a joy to know as a person, revered as a leader, feared as a striker and beloved as a friend.
The news is too sad and sudden to process. Keely Lockhart is and will always be respected, admired and loved. Heidelberg United’s incomparable Number Nine.
My thoughts are with everyone at Heidelberg United and everybody who knew her as teammates, family, friends, or the youngsters that were coached by her.
She will be forever missed and always remembered.
Vale Keely Lockhart
impetusfootball.org 