By Luke Mathews
Aberfeldie and Deer Park will kick off their 2026 campaigns when they square off at Clifton Park.
Both sides had strong 2025 campaigns however finished the year disappointed with Aberfeldie going out in straight sets and Deer Park losing their elimination final to Airport West.
2026 will be a new dawn for Abers with the club turning to experienced coach Leigh Tudor to lead the side in 2026.
It was a relatively quiet off season for Deer Park by their standards with players in and out, but they were able to bring the likes of Jason Johannisen and Anthony Anastasio while securing full-time commitments from VFL players.
When the two sides met in 2025, Jamie Madigan’s side scored their best win for the year when they defeated Abers by 19 points in Round 8.
A big watch on Saturday will be how Abers replaces Brodie Newman and Callum Moore.
Newman has been Aberfeldie's most reliable defender across the last two years, while Moore was the most dangerous threat forward of the ball, kicking 73 goals and winning the Reynolds Medal.
The Rillas have always had strong regeneration and will need someone to fill the void in 2026 if the club wants to get back to finals action.
Greenvale and Maribyrnong Park will open their 2026 season when they meet at Section Road.
2026 is a year of high expectations for the Lions after a successful recruiting spree which saw them add Rory Atkins, Brandon Ryan, and Josh Eyre among others.
Brodie Holland’s men started 2025 on the right foot placing them well inside the finals hunt, however faded late in the year to finish seventh.
Greenvale will start a new chapter in 2026 with the club welcoming back Anthony Rock to coach the side.
The Lions scored two wins over Greenvale in 2025, winning by 30 points in Round 9 and 62 points in Round 18.
One to look out for on Saturday will be the return of Liam Podhajski.
The ruck was on fire to start 2025 before injury cut his season short, collecting six votes in the Reynolds Medal despite playing in just the one victory.
Marby will be without their number one ruck Sam Green for 2026 and will need someone to stand up in his absence if they want to nullify Podhajski.
Airport West will get their 2026 season underway when they host Essendon Doutta Stars at Hansen Reserve.
Saturday’s clash looms as a potential grudge match after the Eagles beat the Stars to the last finals spot in 2025 with a victory over Deer Park in Round 18.
After a successful 2025 finals campaign that yielded two incredible victories, Airport West will be without Reynolds Medallist Tyson Young while Connor Leeflang also departed.
Douttas will head into 2026 with a similar lineup to their 2025 squad however will be without skipper Pete Ntalianis.
When the two sides met in 2025, Douttas claimed the four points twice winning by 67 points in Round 9 and 23 points in Round 15.
One to keep an eye on this Saturday is Bailey Ryan.
The utility had a stellar 2025 campaign collecting 19 votes in the Reynolds Medal on the way to a third-place finish.
The vice-captain kicked bags of seven and five in his two outings against the Eagles in 2025 and will need to be stopped if Airport West want to start their season with a victory.
By Ben Parker
The stage is all set for an early season blockbuster between last season’s EDFL Division One runner-up Oak Park and the Division Two premiers of 2025 in Rupertswood.
Largely considered as the best side of 2025, Oak Park will be looking to make a Round 1 statement after their disappointing loss to Hillside in last season’s grand final.
After cruising past Hillside in the first final, the minor premiers were left shell-shocked as the result was flipped on grand final day.
Incoming senior coach Luke Williams brings an impressive coaching CV to the ranks, and he’ll have his players ready to go.
Reigning Hutchison Medallist Jedd Taylor is the obvious starting point for this clash. The midfield gun enjoyed a stellar season last year which included a league best and fairest and the captaincy of the EDFL Division One team of the year.
With a proven ability to hit the scoreboard, the hosts may need to put some time into Taylor if he gets off the chain.
On the other end of the ledger, Rupertswood will be aiming to knock Oak Park off their pedestal in their first game back in Division One football.
After their solitary season in Division Two, Rupo will be out to send a message to the widely tipped premiership favourites.
While they only recorded the 11 wins, Rupo peaked when it mattered most, and produced their best footy of the year to claim the Division Two premiership for 2025.
In what will no doubt be their biggest test for over a year, a packed Salesian College will hold them in good stead.
After a stellar season in 2025, senior coach Brad Fox is excited about what pivotal player Jackson Cardillo can produce this year, and he’ll be the one the Roos may need to put some time into.
With a packed crowd expected, the stage is all set for a mouth-watering bout.
Football returns to Canning Reserve this weekend with the season opener between Avondale Heights and the recently relegated East Keilor.
After a disappointing finish to end season 2025, the Heights have recruited well and will be looking to establish themselves as an early premiership contender.
Their overall record last year of 12 wins and six losses left them stranded in fourth position on the ladder, where they were squeezed out of double chance positionings after a costly loss to Craigieburn in the last round.
They will not doubt be looking to make amends, and with decades of experience in the EDFL’s top flight, look for the Heights to come out firing here.
Senior coach Andrew Kahofer has put trust in the list’s young core, and with another pre-season under their belts, is expecting an improved season from their young brigade.
Meanwhile for East Keilor, season 2026 enables a fresh start after what was a tough campaign last year.
New coach Darryl Craig emphasised connection between the playing group and stability of the list as the driving factors behind what the club is hoping will be a more competitive season.
Player retention has been an early positive sign, and with recruitment also being an area of prioritisation over the summer, the Cougars will be looking to prove their credentials early as a more established and competitive outfit.
Jackson Griffiths is one to keep an eye on, as well as new recruits Zac Dicianni and Brodie Muir.
Tullamarine is set to host Craigieburn in what shapes to be an intriguing Round 1 clash out at Leo Dineen Reserve.
Under the tutelage of senior coach Zack Carey, the Dees will be looking to improve off what was a frustrating 2025 campaign.
With just the four wins to show for last season, it was disappointing when considering the number of close games the Dees lost, and with another pre-season under their belts, the Dees will be better equipped for more complete, four-quarter performances.
All eyes will no doubt be on superstar recruit Josh Covelli who brings a mountain of goals and experience to the club.
After back-to-back 100 goal seasons with Hillside, the towering key forward will have all the attention on him as he looks to impress in his season opener.
Craigieburn will be looking to spoil the Dees’ home opener and go on with their strong end-of-year form from last season which saw them scrape into the finals.
After winning six out of their last eight games, the Eagles made the most of a surprise finals appearance with brilliant wins over Avondale Heights and the highly fancied West Coburg, before being bounced out by Hillside in the preliminary final.
Jai Robinson and Harry Albon will be the two Eagles to watch as they return from career-best seasons last year which saw them both claim team of the year honours.
With stars all over the ground, this one looks set to be thriller.
Moonee Valley will open their 2026 account when they host St Albans at Ormond Park.
The Fog will be striving for a vast improvement in 2026 after they were left behind in eighth position with just the five wins to show for last season.
Yet, there were glimpses of their best footy with several big wins throughout the year.
Wins against minor premiers Oak Park and St Albans were the highlights, and if they can produce a similar performance early on this week, they’ll be right in this.
Recruits Nathan Williams and Mitch Clarke will get their first look at Ormond Park for their new club and will both be an interesting watch.
On the other hand, St Albans will be looking to send an early-season message after they missed out on playing finals football last year by the barest of margins.
After starting the season with four wins in a row, the Saints failed to make the top five as they were plagued with inconsistent performances for the rest of the year.
With a healthy list, incoming senior coach Shaun Thompson will no doubt be expecting a forward performance as he takes over the reins for the year.
Missing the finals may just have been a blessing in disguise, and with recruits Jeremy Hayes and Jack Brookes ready to go, expect the Saints to put their best foot forward.
By Evan Tudor
Burnside Heights and Westmeadows will get this Saturday’s action underway from Tenterfield Drive.
It’s a new era for the Bears, with changes running from the coaches box to the field.
A coaching change during the offseason highlights the blue, orange, and white, with former assistant coach Damien Gillman taking over the reins of the club.
The Bears, who finished ninth in last season’s struggling campaign, will enter the new year with a new on-field look, following a major list overhaul.
However, despite losing standout Jordan Hughes, the Bears have held onto many of their key players, with the likes of Lachlan Evans, Nick Cugliari, and Anthony Petrarca all looking to step up.
Bears’ 2025 leading goal kicker Jacob Elia continues on and knows how to break through any defence, missing the big sticks only once in 15 games last season.
While things may appear difficult for Burnside in these opening few games, if the Bears can act fast and pressure the scoreboard early, it may be enough to rattle the nerves of Westy.
For Westmeadows, its approach to how they’ll regroup, refocus, and restart following last season’s consecutive grand final loss will be important to see in this opening game.
The Tigers enter this year as one of the finals favourites, hoping to finally lift some silverware come early September.
The Ash Flavel-coached Tigers held last year’s longest winning streak of 10, but that was only achieved after a rocky start to the season.
If the Tigers want to be excel again in 2026, they need to take more wins early.
With an outstanding playing list, which includes the likes of Aaron Evans, who kicked six goals against the Bears in their last meeting, Jordan Kosteas, and Ryan Capron, both rightfully named in the team of the year, and tackle machine Nathan Sparks, the Tigers will enter this one firing.
And while Burnside Heights will welcome a batch of Under 18.5s graduates fresh off their premiership win, will it be experience over youth, or youth over experience?
Sunbury Kangaroos will open its season for 2026 when Roxburgh Park takes to the field at Eric Boardman Reserve.
It’s the first time Roxburgh Park has contested in Division Two football since 2018, with the Magpies hoping they’ll be able to return to form and find some stability in this competition.
The Pies were the subject of relegation following last year’s campaign in Division One when they left with a 2-16 record.
They’ll enter this one full of optimism with coach Ross Terranova marching on, and a range of players available with proven ability to step up in tough conditions.
Last year, Lucas Repic stood out in the disposals average at Lakeside Reserve with 27 a game, accompanied by the likes of Luke Smith who had 20 and was named one of the best on 13 occasions.
Andrew Capuana is set to return after a year that saw him average 21 possessions, nine tackles, and five clearances.
Roxburgh Park certainly has what it takes to cause an upset in a new era for the club, but will a change in the coaching box for Sunbury Kangaroos be the answer they’re looking for in quest for a finals appearance in 2026?
The Kangas will again be coached by two in 2026 with Dean Young stepping up from his assistant coach role to join Shanon Carroll.
The Roos finished seventh last season after various challenging performances. However their seven wins shine a light on the more exciting aspects of this club.
One of the Roos’ biggest wins in last year’s campaign was against the premiership favourite Glenroy who they stunned by 35 points. It was a game dominated by those who will look to set up big on Saturday, with Mitch Streiff slotting four to certify his three-goal a game average.
Shawn Bowden and Jayden Eales have both shown to be trustworthy goal-getters for the blue and white and will look to threaten their new opponents.
Kanga John Corso has shown his ability to average upward of 28 possessions a game, proving to be a ball magnet on the local grounds of EDFL footy.
On top of that, Rhys Magin returns after helping the Kangaroos to the 2023 grand final as a standout player in the competition.
There’s worthy reasons from both sides to walk away from this one with the win, but only one can do so, and we will find out who that is come Saturday’s final siren.
The football season commences for East Sunbury when it welcomes Hadfield to John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
The Thunder, who finished last year’s campaign on the bottom of the Division Two table after a two-win season, will be hoping they can get a Round 1 win just like they did in 2025.
They’ll hope to start the year off strong under new playing-coach James Strauss, one of last year’s leading ball-getters at the Thunder picking up 27 touches on average.
Strauss will employ AFL flavour on the field and in his coaching role as East Sunbury look to become a more competitive side in 2026.
Retired Carlton great Brendan Fevola also plays on at Lancefield Road and is just 34 majors shy from the 1000 career goal mark in local football.
The last time East Sunbury and Hadfield locked horns was during round 10 of last year. It was hard-fought match from both sides that saw the Hawks walk away victorious by 26 points, despite the Thunder unleashing Todd Elton who snuck through four majors.
The Hawks were a roller coaster in 2025 with a slow start followed by a late surge of wins that spiced up the finals race.
If the Hawks have managed to carry that momentum through the off-season and into this weekend, they certainly will be a threatening force on Saturday.
Hadfield have an impressive talent pool with key players proving to be ball magnets against any opponent.
Jacob Polizzi and Sam Godden both owned much of their side’s play in 2025, with each player averaging over 30 disposals.
Godden joins teammate Nathan Johnson in being a reliable kick in front of goal, with both known for securing multiple majors in a day out and being unstoppable if they’re able to break through defence, something East Sunbury will have to plan for accordingly.
The runner up in last year’s division best and fairest count, Hadfield’s Joshua Trembearth had 37 touches when he last faced the Thunder.
With both sides looking for improvement in various aspects this year, it’ll be interesting to see what’s changed since they last took to the field when the Thunder and Hawks open their new campaigns on super Saturday.
In perhaps one of the most interesting games of the weekend, Glenroy is at home at Sewell Reserve to take on one of its local rivals Northern Saints.
After being seen as one of last year’s premiership favourites, the Roys’ journey came to an end in the preliminary final against eventual premier Rupertswood.
How they regroup and enter Sewell Reserve on Saturday will be important to see.
Glenroy knows how threatening it can be, with last season’s minor premiers winning its first seven games of 2025, and a further five more after a maiden defeat to Rupertswood.
The men in red and white boast key players like Daniel Ferraro who led disposals at a 31 average, including 39 and 32 touches against the Saints in rounds 2 and 13 respectively.
Mark Sabatino also kicked two goals for Glenroy against Northern in both meet-ups last season, contributing to his final tally of 43.
The Roys seem primed and ready to impress at home and will be hoping that this Saturday commences a journey that reaches well into September.
For Northern Saints, its off-season saw change in the coaching box with Antony Papalia set to join Tamer Abdallah as co-coaches.
The duo will lead the club into 2026 after a 5-12-1 campaign in 2025 saw them finish in the lower three.
Among those five wins, we got a glimpse of a Northern Saints side that those around the club would love to see in 2026.
The Saints picked up wins against eventual grand finalists Westmeadows and Rupertswood, occurring in a block of three consecutive victories that also saw them defeat East Sunbury.
In the Rupertswood upset, the Saints came from behind at the final change thanks to a Nick Bruno masterclass, with the Sainter snagging four in a year he sunk 50 majors.
It’s set to be an exciting game of football from both sides, with a big crowd set to converge on Sewell Reserve to open the season for these local rivals.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v DEER PARK
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Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
AIRPORT WEST v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
GREENVALE v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
RUPERTSWOOD v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
TULLAMARINE v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
GLENROY v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
