By Kieran Yap 1/7/26
Above: Danella Butrus scores for Bulleen Lions
There was little to separate any of the teams in Round 18 of the NPLW Vic, and even less to separate them on the ladder at its conclusions. The top four teams met, and while neither game was a classic, they were intriguing, tactical contests decided by moments of brilliance.
Top of the table Essendon Royals hosted third placed Bulleen Lions in a game that ended 2-1 to the visitors. Following last week’s hatrick, Tiffany Eliadis was moved into defence to partner Claudia Mihocic. The Royals were missing Maggie Jenkins with Ava Groba starting on the left of the attack.
The subplot to this game was the Golden Boot race. Bulleen’s Maja Markovski and Essendon’s Kelli McGroarty are leading the pack with 19 and 20 goals respectively.
Bulleen gained the momentum early. They looked to be the side in control. Defensively, The Lions were strong, giving away few chances, and the midfield pair of Sarah Cain and Olivia Bomford were energetic in winning the ball back.
Bulleen’s best efforts on goal were thwarted by Sophie Dehn starting in goal for the Royals. Despite Dehn playing one of the best games by a goalkeeper this season, she could not keep Bulleen out forever.
Bomford danced her way through a crowded defence and although the first shot was saved, she could do little to prevent Danella Butrus finishing on the rebound.
On a rough surface, perfect football was a big ask, but Essendon managed to regain the momentum in the second half. Akeisha Sandhu became more involved and Grace Maher began to assert her influence with some nice touches.
The danger remained though, and the increase in attacking impetus left Essendon open to the counter attack. A possibility that Bulleen coach Caitlin Friend tried to maximise with the introduction of Alana Cortellino.
Butrus delivered that sucker punch with her second of the game. a trademark run into the penalty box ended with a left footed shot that crept into at the far post.
Essendon pulled one back to give themselves a chance. Bella Sewards was earned her side a penalty which McGroarty converted confidently for her 21st of the campaign.
The equalizer never arrived for the home side though, and they were lucky not to go 3-1 down when Markovski’s shot skimmed wide, but this was a game of fine margins and Bulleen had the edge.
The win takes Bulleen to 38 points, equal with Box Hill United and Essendon. Although it was a disappointing result for The Royals, they remain in top spot on goal difference.
Across town, Box Hill United travelled to Lakeside Stadium to face South Melbourne in a game that ended 2-2.
South Melbourne played with more energy, with Emily Roach pulling the strings in the attacking third. The home side were undoubtedly eager to celebreate captain Francesca Iermano’s 200th NPLW appearance and Sophie Papatsanis’s 100th.
Box Hill are dangerous though and took the lead in the 27th minute. Sydney Minarik’s surging run opened up South Melbourne and her pass wide to Kiara Bercelli resulted in a cross that Nikolina Bucalo buried at close range.
South Melbourne found an equaliser almost immediately. Roach slipped a clever pass into the path of Tyla Jay Vlajnic and she finished calmly. The Serbian international almost scored again after intercepting the kickoff, but the scores stayed level.
South increased the pressure, trying to force errors, but Box Hill retook the lead I the second half. Alana Cerne nodded the ball into her own net from a well taken corner kick.
Iermano restored parity in her milestone game. She ran hardest at a hopeful cross, beating Keeley Segavcic to the ball and flicking it into the net.
Stung by losing the lead twice, Box Hill finished the game strongest but could not find a winner. Grace Taranto’s desperate goal line clearance in the 81st minute prevented Box Hill climbing into first spot on the ladder and provided an epic end to an engaging contest.
Elsewhere, Avondale FC defeated Melbourne City 6-1. Aideen Keane made her debut for her new club with the opening goal after just eight minutes. She prodded home a corner from close range to announce her arrival.
Keane played a part in the second goal. Her pass put Sidney Allen in just enough space to get a shot away directly infront to double the lead.
A Sloane Young rocket made it 3-0 in the 26th minute, and Ellie Wilson’s cross was turned in by Hannah Wilkinson to make it 4-0 in the second half.
Sienna Calvansese pulled one back for the home side. She ended an excellent counter attack with a well placed header at the back post with less than 10 minutes left on the clock.
That was plenty of time for Avondale FC though. Wilkinson and Keane both brought up braces to cap off a comfortable win for the rising force in the league.
Keilor Park did the double over Melbourne Victory, beating them for the second time this season 2-1. Victory’s defence seemed to hesitate for the first goal. Pausing perhaps in expectation of a referee’s whistle. That provided Runa Komidori to score for Keilor Park in the 51st minute.
Abby Holmes doubled the advantage 10 minutes later, but Jade Tam’s long range missile crashed off the post before Ella O’Grady buried the rebound for Victory to make it 2-1.
Boroondara Eagles returned to winning ways and gave their finals hopes a boost with a 3-1 win away to Heidelberg United.
Kanako Higuchi’s eighth minute strike opened the scoring for the visitors, but Sarah Assumma levelled the scores in the 51st minute for Heidelberg.
Boroondara reestablished control on the scoresheet with goals to Genevieve Fontes and Sarah Brunner to cap off the important victory on the road.
Savannah Oxley continues to impress for Bentleigh Greens. The new signing scored again in a 1-1 draw with Alamein FC. A looping, slightly deflected cross found its way beyond Miranda Templeman at the far post giving Bentleigh the lead.
That advantage only lasted five minutes as Mila Ralph levelled the scores for the visitors. A corner kick created a goalmouth scramble and the last minute addition to the matchday squad secured a point for Alamein.
Only one goal separated Preston Lions and Spring Hills FC. Montana Mathews cross from a reheared set piece was placed int the prime position for Anastasia Ramel to flick it on into the net.
Preston Lion’s tried for an equaliser, but the Spring Hills defence, lead by the in-form Aubri Labno kept a clean sheet.
In Appreciation of Danella Butrus
The Bulleen winger’s first start since her return to the NPLW was worth the wait. Butrus is one of the most watchable players in the league. On Saturday she scored both goals against top placed Essendon. One was an opportunistic effort on her right foot, the other a finish on the left after creating the chance herself.
https://twitter.com/nplvictoria/status/2070752831007490429/video/1?s=46
Since sharing the Gold Medal last season with Aleks Sinclair, Butrus made an instant impact with Melbourne City’s senior side, scoring in the Asian Champions League and proving one of the best pieces of skill seen in the tournament with an audacious rainbow flick.
Her clear potential and ability to trouble defenders earned her a Young Matildas call up for the U20 Asian Cup. She earned one penalty and scored a typically classy solo goal before her tournament was ended early by a concussion that would stall her A-League season.
Butrus returned to the City side in time to earn a premiership and championship medal, and has returned to the NPLW an improved and still increasingly dangerous forward.
Essendon Royals have been somewhat of a bogey side for Bulleen over the past few seasons, and this was never going to be an easy game for The Lions. Maja Markovski was well marshalled by The Royals defence and space was at a premium. But Butrus does not need much and the two half chances she had were enough to decide the game.
She is an X-Factor player, enigmatic and playful on the ball, but also consistent.
Her pace allows Bulleen to play effectively on the counterattack, and her dribbling ability gives them another weapon to break down packed defenses.
Danella Butrus could be the extra ingredient to help Bulleen to an elusive Grand Final win.
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