Essendon Royals set sights on promotion after win against local rivals Essendon United

Essendon United coach Michael Curcija says his team’s first goal is promotion, not the State League 3 North-West title.

ESSENDON Royals coach Michael Curcija says his team faces a defining month in the race for the State League 3 North-West crown.

The top-of-the-table Royals face their nearest rival Northern Roosters in a crunch match this weekend, before taking on Geelong Rangers, Whittlesea United and Brunswick Zebras.

While the Whittlesea and Brunswick games shape as a chance for Essendon to cement its ladder position, Curcija acknowledged matches against Northern Roosters and Geelong are potential banana skins.

He said Essendon’s full squad needed to contribute for its table-topping run to continue.

“Games where we’ve struggled we’ve had players come in whether it be off the bench or to starting positions and step up,” Curcija said. “Our captain has been away for two weeks and we haven’t really felt the loss of him which has been great.

“It’s been a really even performance, at the moment we’ve probably got six players out through injury but (other) players have really stepped up.”

Essendon will have to mount its title challenge without in-form attacker ­Albert Zorzanello, who has headed overseas for the ­remainder of the campaign.

Curcija said the Royals and Roosters prided themselves on attacking football, setting up a potential shootout this weekend.

“We have been (keeping an eye on them),” he said.

“Since we beat them ­earlier on in the season, they’ve been on a terrific run of form as well. It’s very tight between us two at the moment.

“They play a similar formation, are a fairly hardworking team and have two of the top scorers in the league.”

Curcija said the Royals’ main aim was to secure promotion, rather than beat Northern Roosters to the title. The Royals were eight points clear of third-placed Old Carey after their 1-0 win over Essendon United on Saturday.

Neven Antic scored the game’s only goal to secure the Royals’ 10th win in 12 games.

“The first step is to get promotion, that’s number one,” Curcija said.

“If we’re good enough and lucky enough to finish on top, then that’s fantastic.”