By LIAM McALLION
Moonee Valley v Roxburgh Park
MOONEE Valley and Roxburgh Park, both being highly-respected, want to prove that they can again be dominant clubs and this will be a must-see match-up.
Fog captain Ned Wilson putting the jumper on for Moonee Valley again this season gives the club great confidence.
His on-field leadership will hopefully help Moonee Valley learn from their mistakes last year after losing to the Magpies twice.
The summer was one to forget for Roxburgh Park as their Senior Coach, Paul Derrick, and B&F winner, Brad Dimech, both walked out.
These two along with others who have left, were the building blocks of Roxburgh Park’s success over the last few seasons.
However with an upbeat, positive new coach in Travis McCarty, their fast and exciting standard of football could keep them in the hunt this season.
Can Roxburgh Park still be such a prominent finals side, much like the last three years, even after their dismal off-season?
This game against Moonee Valley might give us some answers.
Keilor Park v Northern Saints
There is a sense of the Northern Saints wanting to prove themselves worthy of being in a higher division and after a successful 2016 campaign by Keilor Park, both these teams are up and about and hopefully it’ll result in a passionate game of footy.
With the infamous 'double drop' in full effect, the Northern Saints want to regain their exciting way of footy of the past and get back in the winning circle.
An interesting fact, which the Saints will use as fuel against Keilor Park and for the year, is that the last two Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final winners were the relegated teams from the year before (Hadfield & East Keilor).
This motivation for the Northern Saints definitely contrasts well with the pride flowing through Keilor Park after a successful 2016 season.
Despite having the smallest player turnover over the summer of any EDFL senior team, Keilor Park wants to continue its positivity from last year.
Jacana v Coburg Districts
With disappointing seasons last year, both Jacana and Coburg Districts have had some big changes over the summer, making for what we hope will be a great spectacle.
Jacana's hiring of new Senior Coach Robert Fletcher brings success to the club following his assistant coaching role in Craigieburn’s 2016 Essendon Ford Division 1 triumph, and he is highly regarded.
The headline signing of Cam Cloke sensationally fell through last week and at this stage, he won’t be lining up in purple and gold not only for this clash, but for the entire season.
Jacana simply needs to stay healthy (unlike 2016) and they could be very successful, with or without Cloke.
Coburg Districts again recruited well.
With no Under 19.5s side to gain young, emerging players from, the Lions recruited a dozen or so new players.
Therefore it is right now unknown how they will go against Jacana here and for the season ahead.
Burnside Heights v East Sunbury
With zero wins in 2016 for Burnside Heights, they will need to work harder in 2017.
After a good summer and with the hope to be more competitive, they will aim to rise much like East Sunbury has since entering the EDFL in 2013.
Even after losing arguably one of the Strathmore Community Banks Division 2's best players in Kamen Ogilvie, the success from their 2016 Under 18.5 side and positive mindset will create another stepping stone for East Sunbury.
It also gives them a chance to play some fast-paced, electric football, which will start from the first bounce against the Bears and help them get more wins on the board throughout the season.
Burnside Heights can only improve from last season's effort.
The club now has better overall structure with Aidan Stott set for his first full year as Senior Coach and goal-kicking machine Josh Covelli adding some star power to their list.
He kicked 54 goals for Moonee Valley in 2016.
