After a soft opening of Round 1 in Premier Division last week, the whole quartet of teams will get their 2023 campaigns underway.
Pascoe Vale and Aberfeldie headline Round 1 action with the kebab van making the trip to Raeburn Reserve for the NXP Match of the Day broadcast kicking off at 2pm.
It is pitched as an early top-four clash, with the Two Blues wanting to start 2023 with a win after their agonising grand final defeat to Strathmore last year. While for Digby Morell's men, it will be a chance to show off their new assets in the returning small forward of Ali Saad and full forward Josh Iacobaccio returning from Essendon VFL duties.
In early 2022, this fixture saw the Panthers win at Raeburn Reserve with a narrow six-point victory, with the venerable key forward Matthew Watson booting four goals in the win.
With Keilor kicking off their 2023 campaign with a commanding 73-point win over Strathmore, they will come up against newly promoted Airport West at Hansen Reserve.
Keilor were ever-present on Good Friday with 17-year-old Keighton Matofai-Forbes the star of the show kicking four goals as a hybrid forward, while midfielder Nick O'Kearney went from strength to strength and was named best on the ground.
Trent Rogers' men will be underdogs but are looking forward to unveiling their stars like Billy Drake and half-back Josh Buchanan from Coolamon football club in the Riverina Football League, who could test Keilor's running patterns.
It has been some time since both sides played this fixture. With Keilor pumping Airport West by over 100 points when the Eagles were rebuilding, this will be a different encounter from the one played in 2016.
On the other end of the Good Friday clash, Strathmore will look for a complete performance when they host Essendon Doutta Stars at Lebanon Reserve on Saturday.
The Mores will be looking to regain a host of players who were out of the Good Friday clash and hoping ruck Floyd Bollinghaus can create more of an impact in the ruck contest with Athan Tsialtas being a shining light on Good Friday with three goals.
On the Doutta Stars side of the equation, it has been an interesting off season with the loss of Karl Brown to Aberfeldie, while picking up Oskar Balta – brother of Richmond full-back Noah – and midfielder Maison Goodman who was a part of Assumption College's premiership sides in 2021 and 2022.
The Mores have had the better of both fixtures in the past, with cruisy 100-point wins over the Stars in 2022 and Bollinghaus kicking 10 goals in total across both games. But if this is the time to knock off the Mores, there is no better opportunity than this Saturday for the Stars.
The Battle of the River will start things off for Avondale Heights and Maribyrnong Park for 2023 at Canning Reserve. In what is always a tight affair, no matter the ground and weather conditions, both the Lions and the Heights have a chance to get one up on each other on Saturday.
For Marby, the Nick and Chris Prowse duo is no longer. Still, the Lions have added two new brothers in Joe and Tom Stapleton from the nation's capital, while to add to the mix, John Remouliotis has been added as the power forward for the Lions.
For Avondale, there has been a plethora of players joining the Heights in the off season, with ruck and homegrown boy 'the truck' Tom Russell spearheading the Heights' midfield with David Simpson, a talent from Bendigo.
As said at the top, this matchup is a tight one, with both resulting fixtures being equal in the wins column, with the Heights getting the better over Brad Swain's men in the Round 11 clash last year.
Finally, East Keilor will host Greenvale in what could be a tone-setter for the Cougars this year with their big off season recruits in Ben Silvagni and Matthew Dennis, as well as ex-AFL player Quinton Narkle coming to Cougar land. We'll get a clearer picture of how they'll squeeze their talent into 22 based on points and VFL availability.
New Coach Rocky Iannello will come up against seasoned campaigner in Jets coach Darren Bewick with Greenvale flying under the radar ahead of the 2023 season.
The Jets have complemented their list with former premiership player Matt Bonello from Wallan and ball-winning machine Trent Warren from Macleod, who will be essential to the Jets' engine room for the upcoming match.
This clash last year saw East Keilor get the better over the Jets with a dominant 52-point win at Section Road in the Round 12 clash, but its a fresh start and a win on Saturday for either side will be essential.
It will be the battle of the Sharks on Saturday, with Hillside taking on Rupertswood at Shark Park.
Hillside got their 2023 campaign going the right way with a Good Friday win over newly promoted Keilor Park. Their young talent shone through in the win with Tristan Rudic bagging two goals, while star debutant Anthony Prestia headlined the win with three goals, and fan favourite Josh Covelli kicked four goals.
For Rupertswood, they are hoping to start their campaign with a victory after an impressive 2022, which saw them fall short of the finals but were gallant throughout last season. Ruperstwood has gained a host of players, with Dean Galea headlining the off season moves who will be crucial to Ruperstwood's forward line.
This fixture last year saw Hillside win in the Round 12 clash with Josh Covelli star of the show with six goals. It could be the Covelli or Galea show on Saturday afternoon!
The other combatant from the Hillside Good Friday fixture in Keilor Park will host Craigieburn, who were successful in their Good Friday clash against Roxburgh Park.
The Eagles win was helped by Jake Carlisle booting two goals, with homegrown boy Jamie Gorgievski named best on the ground and will be hoping for a repeat performance on Saturday.
While for the Devils, they will be hoping for a much more competitive performance after their loss to Hillside with likes of Robbie Castello, Daniel and James Mifsud needing to be playing at their best to achieve victory on Saturday.
This is the first meeting since the original A and B grade days back in 2007 where the Eagles won.
On the other end of the Craigieburn Good Friday clash is Roxburgh Park, who will host Moonee Valley to return to winning ways. The Magpies will be hoping for a more accurate performance on Saturday at Lakeside Drive in front of goal. Kicking 10 behinds on Good Friday, Harley Short and co. could bring the x-factor to get the first win for season 2023.
While for Ian Denny's men it could help them push up the ladder in what is shaping as a crucial contest for the finals conversation already.
The Fog has had a successful off season acquiring former Sunshine teammates Joseph Tache and Daniel Torcia who will be ever crucial in the midfield, with Bevan Newell leading them at the front in the ruck in game 300.
Last season's fixture produced a win for the Valley with Newell kicking two goals and Jack Newman named in the best in the Round of 14 clash.
It will be a day of debuts down at Kings Park Reserve on Saturday as new club St Albans will host last year's relegated team from Premier Division Glenroy under new coach Dean Young.
Both sides have gone big in the off season with Glenroy nabbing former Hadfield forward Mark Sabatino, a known goal threat, and have also included Aythen Kyriazis and former Westmeadows players Cody Wight and Daniel Gallagher.
While for the Saints, they have picked up former AFL player Atu Bosenavulagi, former East Keilor player Victor Micallef, and Andre Srour from Essendon Doutta Stars who will be key in the spine.
As this is the first meeting, it will be a watch for all league observers to see how St Albans travel on Saturday.
The other new comer in Deer Park will play away against Westmeadows in what could be a tricky test for the Tigers.
They are coming into 2023 under a new era with new coach Ash Flavel and will be hoping the young Tigers upstage the new boys of the competition.
Club leaders for 2023 in Ryan Capron, Jarrod Petersen, and Aaron Evans must show their leadership skills to help grind out a win at Willowbrook Reserve.
While for Deer Park it has been headlines aplenty in the off season gaining the services of Heath Scotland as coach and coming across from the WRFL, they will be hoping all goes to plan on Saturday.
West Coburg will host Tullamarine at the iconic Shore Reserve in a revenge clash for last year's semi-final.
Both sides are looking for early wins after West Coburg fell short to Airport West in the grand final, while Tullamarine will be out for revenge after West Coburg dealt them a semi-final exit last year.
The Burgers have had a good off season where they pick up former Avondale Heights midfielders in Ruairi and Dinny Cleary, while Tom Baravi moves from Marby Park in what could be a big year down at Shore Reserve for him.
Dean Bartrop makes the return for the Demons as they hope to go all the way in 2023.
It was a tight tussle at Highgate Reserve in the 2022 semi final with Shaun Mckernan for Tullamarine kicking four goals in the loss, while Jesse Martini bagged two goals and Andrew Careri was named in the best in the win for the Burgers.
This will live up to the expectations of last year's semi final. If you are in the area, it will be must-watch footy.
For East Sunbury's return to the EDFL, they will travel down to Charles Mutton Reserve to play against Northern Saints.
In Aaron Kite's first game as player-coach for the Thunder, it will be a chance to start with winning form after a season from hell with the senior side club put into recess for 2022. Including Kite, Ash Millane will lead from the front against a young Northern Saints side who have succeeded in their pre-season matches, but are now onto the real stuff, which could be a nail-biter at Fawkner.
The last matchup was back in 2021, with East Sunbury too good in the contest by 41 points over the Saints.
Coburg Districts host Hadfield at Cole Reserve in a match that could have top-four implications.
Both sides have lost big names, with Hawks forward Mark Sabatino no longer at Hadfield and for Districts midfielder James Scheriani moving on to Moonee Valley. But for the Districts, they have picked up former Jacana player Bayley Overend who was impressive during the Jags dark days, while John Lindon and Luke Viska will be essential for the Districts' midfield.
One area which will be tricky for Tom Gleeson's men will be the ruck contest with Hadfield ruckman Keegan ‘Shrimp' Shrimpton a key for the Hawks with Noah Bazzano a known goal sneak who will pose as a threat in the game.
With Gleeson's men looking to go two steps better in 2023, he will be pleased to know Hadfield have yet to defeat the Districts in all the times they have competed against each other. Gleeson will be hoping for that trend to continue into 2023. The previous matchup was the last round before the Districts made their finals run with a 72-point win with coach Gleeson kicking two goals in the win.
2023 at Eric Boardman Reserve, two new coaches will take the helm at the Sunbury Kangaroos and Burnside Heights.
The ever-experienced Shanon Carroll will lead the Sunbury Kangaroos, while the Heights will be led by Cole Harvey in what could be a real nail-biter.
Both sides have acquired young talent which means goals aplenty on Saturday, with the Bears getting Sam Beckinsale, a talented player with senior experience at Aberfeldie. He could be the main driver for the Bears offence which includes the dangerous Theo Sapountzis and Jordan Hughes who combined for 71 goals last year.
While for the Kangaroos, former Essendon player Rhys Magin and Jack Vivian headline a talented team.
The last time the Kangaroos and Bears faced off was all the way back in 2019 where the Roos won by a handsome 96 points, but times have changed, so this will have a lot to offer on Saturday.
Runners up Oak Park will return to season 2023 full of drive as they take on Taylor Lakes at Lionheart in their opening clash.
Coach Todd Clark will be banking on his leaders in Mitch Leathers with vice captains Jedd Taylor and Brad Cox in helping Oak Park to get over the line in a possibly tight affair.
While for Taylors Lakes, under the guidance of Steve Burns, they will be hoping their recruits in Trent Forbes, Andrew Gallina, Jack Burns, Aaron Vendramini, and Vinnie Angelone all start well.
Last year's encounter saw Oak Park take the chocolates at Lionheart by 21 points, with Jedd Taylor kicking two goals in the Round 11 clash.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
PASCOE VALE v ABERFELDIE
🎥 Cluch TV
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
STRATHMORE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
EAST KEILOR v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
ST ALBANS v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
WEST COBURG v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
KEILOR PARK v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
HILLSIDE v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
