By Luke Mathews
STRATHMORE 16.10 (106) def. KEILOR 8.21 (69)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has kicked off its premiership defence in style, defeating Keilor by 37 points at Lebanon Reserve.
Friday’s triumph is the Mores’ first victory on Good Friday since 2018 and their third consecutive win over Keilor.
After a tight tussle across the first three quarters, it was a six-goal final quarter blitz from the reigning premiers that sealed the victory.
Mick McGuane’s men will be left to rue a disappointing third term which saw the side on top for most of the quarter, however they were only able to manage 1.9.
Strathmore coach Matthew Horne was pleased with the performance of his side’s youngsters with nine of their players having played in their 2024 Under 18.5s premiership.
Liam Cavanagh picked up from where he left off in 2025 claiming the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match, while Matthew Allison made a statement after being left out of Coburg’s team with four goals.
Tom McGuane was terrific in his first game for Keilor since the 2024 grand final, while Brad Xavier and Harrison Kennedy were both excellent despite going down.
After the week off Keilor will return to Joe Brown Oval to host Aberfeldie, while Strathmore will take on Essendon Doutta Stars at Nipper Jordan Oval.
HILLSIDE 11.2 (68) def. by PASCOE VALE 18.18 (126)
MATCH CENTRE
Pascoe Vale has opened its account for 2026 after defeating Hillside by 58 points at Shark Park.
Despite the strong turnout for Hillside’s first Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division game, the home side couldn’t match it with the formidable Pascoe Vale outfit for four quarters.
Coach Daniel Harris was pleased with how the team’s system performed in the opening game against a quality opposition, however believes there are still areas to refine ahead of Round 2.
The Sharks were ahead by one point at halftime with Pascoe Vale squandering several chances in front of goal and went into the break with a 3.12 scoreline.
Pascoe Vale’s class shone through in the third term kicking 7.2 to break the game open, all while holding Hillside to just one behind for the quarter.
Jared Eckersly was at his brilliant best, while Aaron Hilton and recruit Tyson Scoble were both terrific.
Hillside’s youngsters Khalil Kaakour and Nick Fluke had no trouble in stepping up to Premier Division football, while Jackson McMenamin was excellent.
Next, Pascoe Vale will be hoping to make it two from two when they take on Greenvale at Raeburn Reserve, while Hillside will be looking for their first win against Deer Park at John McLeod Reserve.
By Evan Tudor
STRATHMORE 5.6 (36) def. KEILOR 2.4 (16)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has opened its campaign in style with a win in the season opener against Keilor at Lebanon Reserve.
It was a very Good Friday for the Mores who sailed past the Blues, taking home the Easter chocolates by 20 points following a goal margin at the final change.
The game capped off a choc-a-block day of football at Mascoma Street, with last year’s Division One premiers welcoming the Blues to a match enjoyed by enthusiastic onlookers.
It was a slow start for both clubs who were desperately trying to navigate a strong breeze, with Strathmore’s Milla Murphy getting things underway with the opening goal.
Keilor quickly responded with Olivia Castello slotting a major with a dribble kick, sending the visiting team up by one at the first break.
Throughout the game, we saw a brilliant display from Keilor’s Olivia Woods who played phenomenally in the ruck, winning ball-up contests again and again.
Taylah Gilcrist had a day out for the gold and navy blue, slotting three majors throughout the match in her debut seniors game.
Charli Sette and Kaitlyn O’Keefe were the other goal scorers for the Mores and Blues respectively, with O’Keefe’s major coming from an impressive long-bomb kick after the three-quarter time siren.
Both sides’ coaches revved up players at the final change, encouraging them to keep their energy up, and “run, run, run!”
But Strathmore, who were kicking against the wind in the final term, were too good for Keilor, running away with the four points following two goals from Sette and Gilcrist.
The win marks the Mores’ first win in the top flight of EDFL women’s football since 2023.
Strathmore captain Eloise Egglestone was named the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match following a strong performance all day, racking up possessions wherever you looked.
Both sides will take the weekend off while the rest of the competition kicks off their season, with Keilor returning home in Round 2 to face Essendon Doutta Stars, while Strathmore contests Caroline Springs on the road.
By Evan Tudor
TAYLORS LAKES 8.8 (56) def. by WEST COBURG 13.11 (89)
MATCH CENTRE
West Coburg proved too strong for Taylors Lakes in the Strathmore Community Bank Division One season opener, with the Burgers making a 33-point statement in enemy territory.
The game marked a new era for the Burgers who were coached by Cole Harvey for the first time, with the men in red, white, and black able to get their season off on the right foot following last year’s straight-sets finals exit.
It was also the first time that Harvey got the upper hand over old mate and Lions’ coach Steve Burns, as the two went head-to-head as senior coaches again.
We also got to see Brandon Ellis make his return to his old EDFL home, with the two-time Richmond premiership player making a 20-disposal impact for West Coburg.
The Lions were unable to capitalise on the scoreboard in the first half, trailing by 39 points at the main break after Jack Burns and Damien Petrone slotted one each.
Despite this, they went on to win the second half 6.4 (40) to 5.4 (34) after Lachlan Rayner and Daniel Younan combined with two each, providing some late highlights for Taylors Lakes.
Rayner was named as one of the best-on-ground for the Lions and was listed alongside Chris Vulic and Daniel DeVito.
While things turned around for Taylors Lakes, it was West Coburg’s day to celebrate as they dominated the field and set up the win with a great first half.
Ali Khoder snagged three majors and was one of four victorious players to score multiple goals on Good Friday, with Omar Saad, Ibby Taha, and captain Emilio Rinaudo all securing two.
Ruairi Cleary and Perry Patrikios were some of the Burgers’ best performers, with Cleary awarded the Bert Richards Medal which honours a Life Member and former President of the two clubs.
With the rest of the competition taking to the field this weekend, attention turns to matches in two weeks’ time for the Burgers and Lions.
West Coburg will remain on the road when it hopes for a 2-0 start against last year’s runner-up Oak Park, while Taylors Lakes remain at home to face Moonee Valley.
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By Evan Tudor
KEILOR PARK 6.12 (48) def. by COBURG DISTRICTS 19.10 (124)
MATCH CENTRE
Coburg Districts has opened the 2026 Strathmore Community Bank Division Two season in style, downing Keilor Park by 76 points on the road.
It was the mighty blue and white who held control in this match, with Districts boasting a mammoth 10 individual goal scorers who were simply just too good for the Devils.
Jack McNamara picked up where he left off last year and slotted seven majors, providing the perfect kickstart to his goal tally that reached a division-high of 76 in 2025.
He was joined by Pasquale Curcio with three and Curtis Rawlings with two.
It was the Devils who opened the game strongly after kicking the first two before trailing by just one at the changeover, with the scores set at 20-21.
It turned 180 degrees from there, with Districts breaking loose and slotting 16 of the next 19 goals.
Some of the best in the contest for the green and orange were Ben Chisholm, Nick Nesci, and Tristan Borg, with Shylo Smith leading the Devils goal sheet with two, joining Nesci who slotted one.
It was another impressive display from Nesci, with 2025 Devils’ leading disposals holder picking up 25 touches in this one, with Lindon Bektash recording a game-high 35 disposals.
Districts skipper Riley Bentley had 28 disposals and six tackles, while Luke Viska dominated the inside with 11 tackles and 11 clearances.
The attention now turns to Round 2 for these teams who will have the weekend off while Round 1 concludes.
Keilor Park will hope things can quickly change when they face Westmeadows at Willowbrook Reserve.
Coburg Districts will be eager to see more of the same in two weeks when they travel to face Hadfield.
