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Round 1 Preview – Good Friday Edition

By ADEM SARICAOGLU


KEILOR v STRATHMORE - RADIO GAME

2:15pm @ Joe Brown Oval

WHEN Good Friday falls prior to Round 1 proper, Keilor v Strathmore has always traditionally been an ideal way to kick off the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division season.

Once again two of the EDFL’s powerhouses will go head-to-head with big names taking the field on both sides of the field, but you can’t help but feel Keilor clearly has the upper hand here.

The Blues should be coming into this one at full strength after injuries curtailed their premiership defence last year, and all eyes will be on the returning Nick O’Kearney, who could line up anywhere on the ground.

This head-to-head was split last year with the away team getting up in both meetings, but you can’t help but feel the home team is the favourite here.

That said though, write Strathmore off at your own peril.

Despite their losses over the summer, they still boast some of the best players in the EDFL, including last year’s Reynolds Medal runner-up, Jaryd Cachia.

HILLSIDE v TAYLORS LAKES

2:15pm @ Hillside Reserve

The old rivalry between Hillside and Taylors Lakes resumes hostilities at Shark Park on Good Friday.

Taylors Lakes hasn’t beaten Hillside since Round 1, 2016, and much has changed in the past 24 months.

Hillside was a contender last year and will be again this year and the same can’t quite be said about the Lions, so therefore the Sharks are the favourite here.

Whether they’ll unveil prized recruit Mitch Church won’t be known until teams are announced on Thursday, but expect some new faces wearing blue and gold.

The Lions quietly went about their business over the summer and will introduce some new recruits here, so we’re looking forward to seeing how they’ll shape up against one of the division’s contenders.

A big crowd will be on hand at Shark Park and if the weather is OK, fans will get an early taste of just how good the best division in local footy can be.

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