There’s a possibility that East Keilor could slip out of the top four by the end of the round if they’re to lose to flag-favourites Keilor at Overland Reserve.
The Cougars currently hold third spot by a game and with Strathmore and Greenvale breathing down their neck with winnable games, they could be out on percentage.
Keilor handed East Keilor their first loss of the season in this matchup in Round 6 with a comfortable 69-point victory.
Kane Barbuto kicked five majors in a best-on-ground performance, leading the side’s charge as they kicked 16 goals to three after quarter time.
With East Keilor struggling for numbers, Keilor will be looking for another statement victory.
Over at Clifton Park, we’ll see Aberfeldie look to keep their finals hopes alive with a win over Essendon Doutta Stars.
They remain three games out and some percentage so with four games left, everything will have to go their way, but they’re not out yet.
It was a 20-point victory for Abers last time out against Douttas with Josh Kemp kicking three goals, and Luke Davis named their best.
James Harrold booted four for Douttas with Dalton Comito named their best.
Pascoe Vale will face Airport West at Raeburn Reserve with Pacco potentially having a chance to move two games clear in double chance territory.
Their loss to Greenvale brought them back to the pack a little bit, but with East Keilor playing Keilor, they could potentially be looking at reinstating that buffer.
Last time they met, Airport West were persistent and stuck with the Panthers, but fell five goals short in the end.
Ben Allen kicked four goals in a best-on-ground performance with Muhammad Saad kicking three for the Eagles.
In other games, Strathmore will be looking to move further up the ladder with a win over Avondale Heights, while Greenvale could potentially move back into the four with a win over Maribyrnong Park pending other results.
Nena and Pasadena EDFL Match of the Day will head to Sewell Reserve to see Glenroy take on Westmeadows.
While things will have to fall in place for Westmeadows, they’re a chance at getting out of the relegation zone if they can beat Glenroy and upset either Craigieburn or Keilor Park (only if Tullamarine don’t win another game and drop percentage).
Glenroy secured their only win for the season against Westmeadows in their earlier matchup by 10 points after kicking seven goals to three in the second half.
Cody Wight starred for the Roys with three goals, while Shaun Knott kicked four for Westy.
Lakeside Oval will see Roxburgh Park play Hillside in a danger game for both sides.
A win for Roxy will keep them a game behind Hillside in their race for finals, but a loss will confirm their absence in September.
If Hillside are to win, they’ll be relying on Moonee Valley to defeat Craigieburn to secure their finals place.
Roxy handed Hillside their first loss in this matchup in Round 4 with a 16-point victory, and led by 32 points at the final change.
Keilor Park may be out of the finals race, but they’ve proven themselves to be a side that could potentially challenge sides’ finals aspirations.
They’ve challenged Hillside more recently and were able to beat their upcoming opponents in Rupertswood earlier in the season.
The margin was 10 points in that Round 4 contest and on the back of four goals by the venerable Robbie Castello, they outscored Rupo by 39 points in the second half.
Rupo have certainly been playing more consistent footy since then and will be wanting to maintain their position in double chance territory.
Moonee Valley will host Craigieburn in a bid to rectify their earlier loss to the Eagles.
It was an 81-point margin that day with Craigieburn dominant from the outset, but the Fog have certainly improved since then, winning five games and challenging the likes of Deer Park and Hillside.
Craigieburn need to keep winning to keep their finals hopes alive and will be relying on results to go their way.
St Albans will travel to the Shoretress to play the undefeated West Coburg.
It was a 17-point win for the Burgers last time out despite St Albans registering three more scoring shots.
The Saints led at the final change but kicked just three behinds to West Coburg’s four goals to let the victory slip.
Ibby Taha and Omar Saad combined for seven goals with St Albans sharing the load in front of the big sticks with eight individual goal scorers kicking one each.
In the final game, Deer Park will head to Jacana Reserve to play Tullamarine.
The Lions have had 104 shots on goal in the last two weeks against the bottom sides and will want to continue their dominance.
The last time they met, seven goals from Todd Elton helped Deer Park to a 131-point victory, holding Tulla to just 18 points.
Burnside Heights have a tough run home to play finals footy with Oak Park standing in their way this week.
The Bears were able to beat an undermanned Kangaroos outfit by 31 points in Round 7 with 12 individual goal scorers.
Oak Park has looked ominous since then with an average winning margin of more than 50 points.
Taylors Lakes will be hoping to reverse their last result against Northern Saints to secure their spot in the top two.
Northern Saints won by 69 points in that game and shut the Lions out in the second half, reducing them to just one goal.
A win for Northern Saints would keep them within reach of a top-two finish, while Taylors Lakes will be hoping to take that chance away from them and win their sixth game in a row.
East Sunbury will host a Coburg Districts outfit looking to solidify their spot in the four, while Sunbury Kangaroos will be wanting to keep in touch of finals in their contest with Hadfield.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
ABERFELDIE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
MARIBYRNONG PARK v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
EAST KEILOR v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
PASCOE VALE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
GLENROY v WESTMEADOWS
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Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
TULLAMARINE v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Jacana Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
RUPERTSWOOD v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
WEST COBURG v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
OAK PARK v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
HADFIELD v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
