VPL2 Round 10 Wrap: Redbacks Roll On, Nunawading Shock Warriors

James Stuart

Round 10 of the VPL 2 season was packed with late drama, red cards, and a seismic statement from the league’s bottom side. In this league, nothing is predictable.

Redbacks Ruthless

Eltham Redbacks moved two points clear atop the table in style, producing a dominant 4-1 win away at Pascoe Vale. It was the perfect bounce-back after last week’s loss, and with 28 goals scored this season the Redbacks are proving they’ve got the firepower to lead the promotion race.

Their closest challengers, Brunswick Juventus, had to dig deep for a point in a wild 2-2 draw with Boroondara-Carey. Greg Siamoa popped up with a 97th-minute equaliser to salvage the result after Juventus had fallen behind in a feisty match that saw two Boroondara players sent off: Tristan Patsiotis and Gavin Watson. Still with a game in hand, Juventus remain two points off the pace and very much in the hunt for the title.

Nunawading’s Shock and Awe

The most jaw-dropping result of the weekend came at Mahoney's Reserve, where Nunawading City, still bottom of the table, blew away North Geelong Warriors 7-1. Nedzib Ramic was unstoppable, netting a hat-trick as City finally showed what they’re capable of. The Warriors, meanwhile, imploded. Down to nine men after red cards to Matthew Stosic and Ionut-Casian Anghel, they now have the league’s worst defensive record with 26 goals conceded.

That result has helped tighten the battle at the bottom, with just two points now separating 10th from 14th.

Springvale and Essendon Keep Pressure On

Springvale White Eagles climbed to third with a confident 3-1 home win over Altona City. Despite going behind to a 12th-minute goal from Shion Ohta, Springvale stormed back, aided by red cards to both Breckan Baker and Adam Oddo. It’s now three wins in a row for the Eagles, who boast the best defensive record in the league with just seven goals conceded all season.

Essendon Royals also left it late, grabbing a 90th-minute equaliser through Graham Kelly to draw 2-2 with Werribee City. Werribee’s Joshua McCall also saw red right on 90 minutes. The Royals now sit equal on points with Springvale but are fourth on goal difference.

Whittlesea Climb, Suns Slip Again

Whittlesea United picked up a huge 1-0 win over Geelong Makedonia thanks to an early strike from Marcus Day in the 8th minute. It ends a rough patch of form for Whittlesea and bumps them to 10th, while Geelong’s slide continues — they’ve now lost three of their last four.

Box Hill United edged Goulburn Valley Suns 1-0 in a scrappy affair. The Suns have won just one of their last five and risk drifting out of the playoff conversation.

League Table Snapshot

With 10 rounds in the books and 16 still to come, the race for promotion - and the scramble to avoid the drop - is heating up. Eltham and Brunswick are setting the pace, while Springvale and Essendon are breathing down their necks. Further back, Altona and Goulburn Valley sit within reach of the playoff zone, but consistency has eluded both.

At the other end, just four points separate 9th from 14th, and with results like Nunawading’s this week, the relegation fight might be just as thrilling as the title race.