By Luke Mathews
Keilor will host Deer Park at Joe Brown Oval to kickstart its premiership defence.
After a near faultless campaign, Mick McGuane’s men will be looking to pick things up from where they left off, however they’ll face a rejuvenated Deer Park outfit.
Jamie Madigan’s side had one of the strongest off seasons across the competition with big names Lin Jong, Trent McKenzie, and former Lion Lachie Smart committing for the 2025 season in an attempt to help solidify their spot in Premier Division.
Keilor on the other hand didn’t make too many changes to the side that lifted the cup at Windy Hill, however will be boosted by the return of premiership player Jamie Papalia, and the addition of young guns like 2024 Calder Cannons captain Damon Hollow.
The ones to watch will be the Lions new recruits. If players such as Mitch Antonello, Dion Hill, and Zen Christofi can hit the ground running with a strong performance on Saturday, the boys in blue and gold will certainly take some beating in 2025.
Airport West will open their 2025 campaign when they host East Keilor at Hansen Reserve.
The Eagles were one of the strongest sides to finish the 2024 season and even knocked off Keilor on their charge towards a breakthrough finals campaign, falling just short after losing their final two games.
East Keilor had a disappointing 2024 finishing second last with just four wins and a draw, but comfortably avoided relegation.
Majority of the Cougars' senior side from 2024 has left Overland Reserve, so it'll be a new-look outfit led by Justin Sherman.
The Eagles will no doubt be hungry to start stronger than last year, and will have a good chance against East Keilor.
Strathmore will travel to Section Road to take on Greenvale in a replay of last year’s semi final.
It was the Mores that got the better of the Jets in the end kicking five final-quarter goals to run away with the victory and put an end to a solid 2024 campaign for Darren Bewick’s men.
Despite a number of exits each, both sides were boosted by some huge inclusions with Matthew Allison and Jack Bytel both returning from AFL level to suit up for the respective sides at certain points during the 2025 season.
One to look out for on Saturday is the club debut of Sam Hayes. The ruck made a successful return to local footy last year with University Blues and crossed over to Strathmore in the off season in the hope of taking them two steps further in 2025.
Maribyrnong Park will make their return to Premier Division when they host Aberfeldie under lights at Monk Oval.
Marby had a terrific 2024 season winning 14 games in a row on the way to the Division One flag, while Aberfeldie continued to promote youth in another transitional year that saw them bow out in the first week of finals.
It was a vastly different off season for both sides with Abers bringing in a number of big name recruits such as Callum Moore, Lachlan Riley, and Nicholas Watson which has catapulted them into the premiership conversation.
Marby on the other hand has lost some premiership players like co-captain Matthew Gaul and David McWilliam medallist James Kayrooz, while bringing in a stack of Tasmanian talent.
One to look out for on Saturday night is Callum Moore. The sharpshooter returned home during the off season after a successful four-year stint in the Ovens and Murray League which saw him make his mark as one of the best local footballers in the state.
If the forward can put in a strong performance to kickstart his 2025 campaign, then it’ll certainly go a long way in helping Abers return to Windy Hill in September.
Pascoe Vale will return to Raeburn Reserve with brand new lights when they host Essendon Douttas Stars on Saturday night.
It was a breakthrough 2024 for Leigh Tudor’s men with the club reaching their first grand final since winning the Division One flag in 2011, while Douttas once again successfully avoided relegation finishing in eighth spot.
It was a mixed off season for the Panthers losing superstars Lachy Stredwick and Matthew Watson, however they did pick up ruck Matthew Dennis in a huge recruiting coup.
Douttas showed plenty of pre-season promise knocking off WFNL premiers Hoppers Crossing in a practice match and should be boosted by the inclusion of former East Fremantle player Muoteer Reach.
It will be an interesting watch to see how the Panthers backline stacks up in 2025. Pascoe Vale were one of the best defensive teams in 2024 but with no Stredwick, someone else will need to step up to fill the void if the Panthers want to return to the final game of the year.
By Ben Parker
Hillside will host Oak Park for what should be a thrilling game to begin both sides’ 2025 campaigns.
After an incredibly strong 2024 season which included 13 wins and just the three losses, Hillside will again be looking to establish themselves as a top side within Division One. With minimal list turnover and another strong pre-season, coupled with the recruiting additions of some genuine leg speed, senior coach Mo Kaakour has a deck full of cards to play with.
Coming off a straight sets’ finals exit, Hillside will be looking to make amends and stamp an early season statement at home.
Oak Park on the other hand could be the bolter of 2025.
An off season of remarkable recruitment has placed Oak Park very much in the frame for premiership success. With gun recruits coming over including the likes of former Pascoe Vale captain Lachy Stredwick, expect Oak Park to be extremely competitive in 2025.
With both sides coming off strong 2024 campaigns, the clash between these two expected powerhouses of the competition should be scintillating.
Canning Reserve plays host to the opening clash between last year’s Division One grand finalists, West Coburg, and recently relegated from Premier Division, Avondale Heights.
Avondale will be looking to send an immediate message to the rest of the competition, while West Coburg are again expected to be contending come September.
Is this the year West Coburg can finally go one better? After three consecutive grand final appearances, incoming senior coach Mark Micklethwait will be keen to be the one who can take them there. With a strong list yet again, a balance of mature experience and explosive youth, and “a couple of surprises up our sleeve” per Micklethwait, expect the Burgers to come out firing.
After a difficult 2024 campaign for Avondale Heights in Premier Division, senior coach Andrew Kahofer is expecting development to come as the season progresses, as his young group grow into the game style and get games into them.
Roxburgh Park will travel to Taylors Lakes to take on the Lions in what should be an exciting contest.
After a brutally dominant 2024 campaign, Taylors Lakes, who were the Division Two premiers in 2024, will be looking to send an early-season message to the rest of the competition.
While it’s always hard to predict how a promoted side will cope in a higher grade, senior coach Steve Burns is taking confidence from Oak Park’s successful season last year and instilling this into his men. Expect the Lions to come out charging this week.
Meanwhile, Roxburgh Park will be eager to make amends for their disappointing 2024 season. While only recording the four wins last year, senior coach Ross Terranova expects his men to be much “better prepared and accustomed to what is required and expected at senior level”.
After an exciting offseason of recruiting, Roxy is well placed to make a strong statement in Round 1.
With both sides showcasing new talent and returning troopers, a hard and tough physical content can be anticipated here.
St Albans and Craigieburn are set to do battle in Round 1 in what is anticipated to be an interesting contest. After going 1-1 in 2024 with both sides registering a win over each other, the contest will be cracking early.
St Albans recorded the 12 wins in 2024 and won two finals before being bounced out by a dominant West Coburg performance. If they’re able to produce their best football early here in Round 1, look out.
With Craigieburn just missing out on finals footy last year, they will prove to be no easy pushover. Their season last year is an indication as to how dangerous they can be on their day, and they will be looking to put together a more consistent year this year starting from Saturday.
A twilight game has been set for the Round 1 opener between Tullamarine and Moonee Valley.
After disappointing campaigns in 2024, with both sides only recording the five wins, an early season opportunity for a win immediately presents itself here for one of these two sides.
With the Dees social rooms finally available for use, it should make for a cracking night at Leo Dineen Reserve.
With a fresh coaching group and several new players coming over to the club, Tullamarine are in a great position to start their season off with a win. After a successful off season of recruiting, which included bringing in the returning Shaun McKernan and dangerous forward Adam Figliola from Pascoe Vale, Tullamarine are primed to have a winning start to the year.
Moonee Valley will be looking to spoil the party though, and with the signings of some exciting and experienced younger players, the Fog are well positioned to start off another season with a win.
The Fog have focused on recruiting youth over the off season, and have brought home many Moonee Valley juniors who will all be looking to make an immediate impact this week.
By Levi Swanson
Strathmore Community Bank Division Two action kicks off at Sewell Reserve with Glenroy hosting Burnside Heights.
The Roys finished second last and the Bears finished second in 2024, but the gap has certainly been reduced after vastly different off seasons.
Glenroy brought in new coach Addam Maric and some new faces like the experienced Julian Hemala, fresh off a Premier Division grand final appearance with Pascoe Vale.
Despite being towards the bottom of the ladder, not much of a shift is required losing a number of close games and drawing twice.
The Bears on the other hand will be without a number of star players who helped propel them to a preliminary final last year.
Lachlan Evans, Nick Gregson, Daniel Hovey, Jaydon Stiles, Josh Stiles, and Dion Lawson have all departed.
A lot of youth has been introduced with sustainability front of mind, with coach Cole Harvey facing a tough task to replace those players to go again.
The two relegated sides from Division One in Rupertswood and Keilor Park will meet at Salesian College to kick off fresh starts in Division Two.
It'll be Rupertswood's first time in the division with Brad Fox again at the helm following a much more stable off season than the last.
There'll be returning juniors and some strong performers in Division One like Clayton Bonello, Daniel Kavanagh, and Ethan Fitzpatrick set to bring some joy to the new rooms at Salesian College.
Keilor Park will be led by 2024 assistant Colby Blyth in 2025 with a new-look side following a lot of movement in their senior list.
The Devils won't be expecting to repeat their efforts from their 2022 premiership season, but will be confident of a good outing against a side touted to play finals footy.
It's a local derby to start the season with Hadfield hosting Northern Saints at Martin Reserve.
Both sides enjoyed wins against each other in 2024 with a competitive contest expected this Saturday.
Hadfield welcomed new coach Andrew Beever and a number of new recruits of he's excited about like Michael Graham, Daniel Simpson, and Jack Slavich.
It'll be interesting to see if there'll be any graduates from the Hawks' premiership-winning Under 18s side ready to make an impact at senior level as well.
Northern Saints, meanwhile, have had a few departures, but will continue to play an exciting brand under coach Tamer Abdallah.
The home side has lost this fixture the last four meetings they've had, a trend Hadfield will be keen to reverse.
Damien Cavka returns to Division Two to lead Coburg Districts which will start its campaign against Westmeadows at Cole Reserve.
There will be some fresh faces at the Lions with some Keilor Park premiership teammates making the move across, as well as some experienced players like Thomas McRostie from West Coburg.
Westy enters the season as arguably the premiership favourites following a breakthrough grand final appearance in 2024.
It was a strong off season for the Tigers as well with a large cohort of returning players adding to an already strong list.
The Tigers should give Coburg Districts a good look at where they're at for season 2025 in a good hit out on Saturday.
John McMahon Recreation Reserve will host a fascinating twilight contest between East Sunbury and Sunbury Kangaroos to conclude Round 1.
It's a new era for the Thunder who unveiled a new logo, guernsey, and a host of new players for season 2025.
The biggest name undoubtedly Brendan Fevola. There's optimism he'll suit up for the Thunder having returned to the country from television duties, but tomorrow's team selections will confirm.
The Fevolution and new recruits like Todd Elton and Wade Lees will be looking to help deliver East Sunbury a first win since returning from recess.
Sunbury Kangaroos on the other hand will be keen to bounce back from a tough 2024 season and kick off their campaign with a win.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
KEILOR v DEER PARK
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Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
AIRPORT WEST v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
GREENVALE v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 7:00pm at Monk Oval
PASCOE VALE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 7:00pm at Raeburn Reserve
HILLSIDE v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
TULLAMARINE v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 4:45pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
GLENROY v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
HADFIELD v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 4:30pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
