KEILOR v ABERFELDIE
THIS 2016 grand final re-match has plenty of juice.
Keilor’s been the better of these two and has played exemplary footy since a Good Friday loss to Strathmore that in hindsight looks like a bit of an anomaly.
Adjusting to life without Andrew Browne is something Mick McGuane will no doubt have several plans for, but the news to emerge this week around the transfer lodged for Ivan Maric is something to take note of.
If available, Aberfeldie will have its work cut out curtailing his potential influence in a ruck-friendly league.
What exactly to make of Aberfeldie?
A draw with Avondale Heights and close finishes against Pascoe Vale and Greenvale seem to indicate the premier might be coming back to the pack.
It too had some key players missing two weeks ago, so expect Adam Potter’s men to come out firing after a week off.
GREENVALE v PASCOE VALE
The Jets are again one of the in-form sides of Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
Their ability to produce quality home-and-away performances is proven and by establishing an early jump on the competition, the pay-off could come in the back half of the season.
Injuries to key players curtailed their tilt at a flag late in the piece in 2017, so if the Jets can bank wins to secure a top two spot, they’ll then have the ability to manage some of their guns before September rolls around.
Addam Maric is easing his way back into regular senior footy nicely, but it’s been the likes of Fort Caruso, Chris Farchione and Daniel Burns that have played consistently good footy to start the season.
Pacco presents the Jets with a good test.
Section Road could suit the Panthers, as there’ll be plenty of space for Matthew Watson and Lachie Hansen to do their thing.
The Panthers pushed top-of-the-ladder Maribyrnong Park to 10 points in Round 4 and will be looking to Ben Ross and company to give Watson and his fellow forwards quality entries.
WEST COBURG v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS - Radio Game
Is this a winnable game for Essendon Doutta Stars?
To even pose such a question might rile some up at West Coburg the wrong way, but those at Nipper Jordan Oval have been looking at this fixture as one to target for a sneaky W in a year that, for all intents and purposes, looks doomed.
Douttas’ latest blow has been the outgoing transfer of small forward and EDFL interleague rep, Jack Landt, who this week filed a clearance to return to his former club, Sunbury Lions.
If it goes through, it’ll only add to the very long list of star players that have departed NJO in a horror six-month stretch off the field.
On the field, the Stars just haven’t got the cattle and it’ll likely be no different here, as West Coburg is slowly but surely developing a nice list of a-grade contributors.
Dane Lucas, Tom Baravi and Dinny Cleary are all having good years so far, and should be looking to capitalise on their early-season form in this one.
