By Kieran Yap 23/7/25
Above: Tiffany Eliadis puts on the goalkeeping gloves for Bulleen.
Heidelberg United continued their march toward the title, Sienna Techera won the game for Box Hill, and Preston secured all three points against Bentleigh Greens. At The Veneto Club, Bulleen defeated Boroondara-Carey Eagles in a must win game that drew on organisation and new levels of squad depth as an outfielder donned the gloves.
Lets talk about valuable players. The statistics for players like Sofia Sakalis and Sawa Matsuda speak for themselves, and at Bulleen Sarah Cain is having a career best season in the middle of the park. Goalkeepers can define games as Mia Bailey and Charlotte Hrehoresin have shown and playmakers like Grace Maher make an instant impact upon joining a club.
But in terms of actual value to a team and what they can do to help their side win, Tiffany Eliadis is unique. She is a box to box midfielder who can score goals, but has also won an A-League Women Championship playing mostly as a centre back.
She has quick feet but is known for her pace. She can define games starting in defence or attack and can change them with a switch of position. In Bulleen’s must-win game, she stepped in the shoes and gloves of Erin Hudson to help her team defend a slender lead against another top four side.
Bulleen started brightly, Rosie Rodger found space where there seemed none to turn in a near post corner with a scrambled but accurate finish. They were ahead in the 12th minute and looked to be in control early.
Their best plans were thrown into disarray when Eliadis raced back and collided with Goalkeeper Erin Hudson. The injury looked severe and Hudson barely moved before being stretchered off. It was less than one minute after taking the lead, and without a reserve on the bench, Bulleen had to face almost 80 minutes of football without a specialist goalkeeper.
With no reserve keeper on the bench, Eliadis suited up in orange and stepped into goal. Bulleen were faced with two options, park the bus and try and stop a dangerous side from shooting at all, or play their game and try and control the match.
They chose the latter, and it was the wiser option, although they opted for safety first-football when under pressure from Borooondara’s attack.
It was a smart move. Sitting deep in numbers would invite Boroondara to shoot from distance and force Eliadis into saves from powerful efforts. When faced with players like the genuinely two-footed Hayley Geurts it is best to avoid that.
What transpired was a game best described as patient by both sides. Bulleen maintained possession when possible and used the twin threats of Dani Butrus and Alana Cortellino to keep Boroondara on the back foot. Butrus’s ability to cut in and shoot from either foot kept Melissa Barbieri on her toes.
Boroondara tried to play their usually style, and looked dangerous when their attackers like Candela Ferreyra-Bas or Priya Savarirayan got into one-on-one positions it looked like an equaliser was imminent.
However Eliadis showed excellent positioning and strong hands for a player unfamiliar with playing in goal.
As the game went on, Boroondara’s best hope was likely one of Geurt’s deadly free kicks, but Bulleen were careful to avoid fouls in dangerous areas. The Lions probably should have doubled the lead but Yuka Sato shot straight at Barbieri after clever interplay had set her up directly in front.
The scoreline stayed at 1-0 and Bulleen had won a vital six-pointer for the second time in three rounds. They stay in second position on the ladder, 12 points behind Heidelberg, but three clear of Boroondara.
Importantly, they produced their best defensive game of the season in a match where they had to face a drastic reshuffle of players and mindset.
Despite the win, thoughts in the immediate aftermath turn to Hudson and her recovery, we hope it is a speedy one.
Around the Grounds
At Olympic Village, Heidelberg United increase their lead at the top with a 2-0 win against an impressive Brunswick Juventus. Sarah O’Donoghue’s stylish individual effort gave them a first half lead, and Sawa Matsuda’s now expected goal secured the points late in the match.
Emily Roach scored the only goal as Preston Lions defeated Bentleigh Greens. Her shot on the turn caught the goalkeeper off-guard and slipped through her hands in the 25th minute.
Essendon Royals and Alamain FC played out a close game, but the visiting Royals left with the win in one of the round’s more entertaining matches. Goals to Airi Fujiwara and Emma Langley won the game for Essendon despite Maximillia’s Kostur’s first half equaliser after winning the ball in a forward press.
The Royals win propels them from finals hopeful to genuine contender. They now sit in fourth just a game behind Bulleen and equal with Boroondara on 29 points.
That jump up the standings was helped by results over at Lakeside Stadium. Box Hill were led by standout performances by Sofia Sakalis and Rhianna Pollicina, but it was Sienna Techera who scored the winning goal against South Melbourne.
Overall, it was a low scoring round. Only Heidelberg United and Essendon Royals scored more than one goal. Next week sees two big clashes with Essendon facing Boroondara Eagles and Heidelberg United aiming to continue their strong form in a visit to play the dangerous Box Hill.
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