By Luke Mathews
ABERFELDIE 15.10 (100) def. DEER PARK 14.11 (95)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie has kicked off its season in dramatic style, defeating Deer Park in a thrilling clash by five points at Clifton Park.
Saturday’s win is Leigh Tudor’s first win as Aberfeldie coach, and the experienced campaigner was pleased with his side’s ability to score from stoppages and fight back late in the game.
After booting seven goals in the opening term, the home side maintained a five-goal buffer for most of the contest.
The margin got out to 39 points halfway through the third term before Deer Park hit back with four of the last six goals of the third term to reduce Aberfeldie’s lead to 23 points just before three-quarter time.
The visitors came with a rush to begin the final term, kicking five goals in quick succession to hit the front, before Abers responded through Sam Medland.
With seconds remaining a Mutaz El Nour intercept mark gave Deer Park one final chance, and the visitors took the ball end to end which finished with a Jackson Barling mark.
The siren sounded and the full forward went back after the siren with the chance to draw the game, however he hung his kick out to the right and Aberfeldie hung on.
Flynn Riley claimed the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match award with 18 disposals and four goals, while Jack Middleton was enormous in the ruck with 35 hit outs and 10 clearances.
Despite missing his final set shot, Barling still had a day out with seven goals, while Trent McKenzie was back to his best with 35 touches.
Abers will now gear up for a blockbuster clash with Keilor at Joe Brown Oval, while Deer Park will take on Hillside at John McLeod Reserve.
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GREENVALE 12.10 (82) def. by MARIBYRNONG PARK 12.13 (85)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park has started 2026 on the right foot after defeating Greenvale by three points at Section Road.
The margin was rarely in double figures with both sides trading blows, however Marby had their noses in front by two points at the final change.
Brodie Holland’s men got the first of the final term before Greenvale took the lead with two goals in quick succession.
With Marby down by two points, Jai Brinkkotter marked outside fifty, danced around the man on the mark and goaled to put Marby back in front with just minutes to play.
The Jets had their chance to snatch victory late in the game, however Marby’s defence stood tall and hung on for a thrilling victory.
Holland praised his side's ability to force turnovers and get the ball back late in the game, but identified the Lions' poor score ratio from their inside 50s with just three more scores for 25 more entries.
Brodie Romensky was at his usual brilliant best with 24 disposals and two goals, while Darcy Tucker and Mac Johnston were impressive in their club debuts.
Despite going down, Kieran Gallagher was excellent with 24 disposals and seven marks, while Matt Stillman had 21 disposals and 12 tackles in his Jets return.
Marby will be looking to make it two from two when they take on Airport West at Monk Oval, while Greenvale will meet with Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve.
AIRPORT WEST 11.7 (73) def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 8.12 (60)
MATCH CENTRE
Airport West has picked up from where it left off in 2025 after defeating Essendon Doutta Stars by 13 points at Hansen Reserve.
Saturday’s win continues the Eagles' strong form from the end of 2025 which saw them defeat Deer Park and Aberfeldie on the way to a preliminary final berth.
Airport West coach Brent Taylor was rapt with the maturity shown by his side and their composure when they were challenged.
The visitors didn’t fire a shot in the first quarter with Airport West opening up a 14-point lead.
Barry Prendergast’s side were able to get on top in the second quarter and got their noses in front by a point at half time.
The lead didn’t last long with Airport West piling on four goals in the third term to open up a three-goal lead heading into the last quarter.
Douttas couldn’t force a late fightback in the final term and Airport West held on for their first victory in 2026.
Cooper Janevski was excellent kicking three goals, while Matt Hanson and Matthew Gook started their seasons well.
Liam Conway and Bailey Ryan were both terrific in defeat kicking two goals each, while Daniel Romero fought hard all day.
Airport West will be looking to make it two in a row when they take on Maribyrnong Park at Monk Oval, while Douttas will meet with Strathmore at Nipper Jordan Oval.
By Evan Tudor
HILLSIDE 4.2 (26) def. ABERFELDIE 1.9 (15)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside opened its premiership defence in style with an 11-point win over the Two Blues at Shark Park.
It was the Sharks who were in control from first bounce to final siren, shrugging off the wintery conditions to down last year’s fellow preliminary finalist at home.
Emily Paterno got the scoreboard ticking for the Sharks late in the first term following a strong mark in the goal square off the boot of Krissy Trang, with Paterno picking up a second goal a quarter later and joining Trang on the best-on list.
Nikita Wright and Hannah Ibrahim were also impressive for the Sharks, earning their way onto the best-on list.
Wright was also named the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match by the EDFL Match of the Day commentary team.
Caitlin Sargent booted the other two goals for the Sharks, with the star of the NTFL putting the icing on the cake for Hillside.
Aberfeldie couldn’t put as much pressure on the scoreboard that it would’ve liked, with the lone goal coming from co-coach Emily Smith who snapped the major on the run in the third term.
Despite inaccuracy in front of the big sticks in the final quarter that saw the Two Blues score five behinds, there were many positive signs that came out of the match from Aberfeldie.
One of Abers’ biggest strengths on Saturday was ball movement, with the team able to combine for many effective passages of play while under pressure, something that they should draw on across 2026.
Last year’s league-leading goalkicker Moana Hope of Aberfeldie was unable to impact the scoreboard this time, with two behinds coming off the same boot that slotted 68 majors in 2025.
Some of the best on for the Two Blues were Hannah Brodie and Marlo Zambelli, with Maddy Hall also performing in the contest.
Hillside hits the road next weekend to face Maribyrnong Park, with Aberfeldie returning home to take on Oak Park.
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OAK PARK 8.5 (53) def. MARIBYRNONG PARK 3.4 (22)
MATCH CENTRE
Last year’s runner up Oak Park left grand final heartbreak as a thing of the past as it defeated a new-look Maribyrnong Park outfit at JP Fawkner Reserve.
The 31-point win was highlighted by seven individual goalkickers for the Roos, with Maggie Styles securing two majors for the blue and white.
Styles was one of the Roos named in the best-on list alongside Holly McGregor and Terira Fry, with the duo impressing in their debut games for Oak Park.
Maribyrnong Park, maintaining its Premier Division spot in 2026, proved it’s a side that should be taken seriously this year, with some new talent creating some early-year highlights for the Lions.
Former star of the Keilor program Tegan Matthews made her Marby return with a goal.
Matthews, named vice-captain for the Lions, is set to be a be a big asset for the red, yellow, and blue this season following last year’s 32-goal campaign.
But the biggest Lions standout was Dimi Papadopoulos, with the Under 16s Calder Cannons player making her EDFL seniors debut one to remember with a two-goal outing.
Matthews and Papadopoulos were joined by another new recruit in Charli Calleia on the best-on list, kickstarting what’s set to be a big year for these new Lions.
But it was Oak Park who proved too good overall in the opening game for these two sides, with a four-goal first term well and truly setting up the Kangas for victory.
Some early-season tests await both clubs next weekend, with the Kangas set for a qualifying final rematch against Aberfeldie at Clifton Park.
Maribyrnong Park will return home to face off with the reigning premiers, Hillside.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 4.4 (28) def. by MOONEE VALLEY 5.4 (34)
MATCH CENTRE
Moonee Valley has opened its 2026 campaign with a six-point win over Essendon Doutta Stars in a cracking contest at Nipper Jordan Oval.
In a match played in the wintery weather of Melbourne, the Fog proved too good and led the contest from start to finish.
It was a fast first quarter for both sides which at the first change saw Doutta Stars with one major, and two for the Fog, with the Valley’s Charlotte D'Ambrosio and Matilda Zander striking first blood in the opening eight minutes. The Stars’ Mia Tully scored her first of three soon after.
It’s no surprise that Tully was named in the list of those best-on, with two final-quarter goals paving the way for the honors.
She was joined by Isabelle Porter who also made an appearance on the goal-scoring list for Douttas, with the navy blue and gold winning the second half.
Despite being overrun in the second half, it was that high-energy opening half that put the Fog in winning position, with playing-coach Rhiannon Busch featuring among the best.
Moonee Valley’s D'Ambrosio went on to score a second major in the third term. Captain Nadia Valenti also joining the goal-scoring party.
While the Fog went on to sing the song after the victory, the team will look at the second half to ensure they can close out games more convincingly which will be crucial in a tight competition.
Both sides displayed many positives in the opener of their 2026 campaigns, but there’s many areas of improvement that the Stars and Fog will want to tackle before they next take to the field.
For Douttas, their next hit-out is against Keilor at Joe Brown Oval.
The Fog will have the bye next weekend before its homecoming clash against Aberfeldie on Anzac Day.
By Ben Parker
TULLAMARINE 5.8 (38) def. by CRAIGIEBURN 6.9 (45)
MATCH CENTRE
Craigieburn has outlasted Tullamarine by seven points in a tough and low-scoring affair at Leo Dineen Reserve.
After a first half which only saw a total of six goals kicked, Craigieburn managed to gain the upper hand through a three-goal-to-one third quarter which looked almost certain to guarantee them the four points when considering the context of this bout.
But Tullamarine fought back hard in the final term to get within a kick of the Eagles, however they ultimately fell short.
The Eagles proved too strong and stole an incredibly valuable early season four points.
Nathan Stewart battled hard all day for the Eagles with 19 disposals and eight tackles, while Harry Albon and Riley Pappin slotted two majors each respectively.
Meanwhile for the Dees, Superstar recruit Josh Covelli kicked three out of his side’s five goals for the day, while Jake Long was also solid around the ground.
Craigieburn will return home next week to host Rupertswood, while Tullamarine will look to make amends against Avondale Heights when they travel down to Canning Reserve.
MOONEE VALLEY 24.21 (165) def. ST ALBANS 16.9 (105)
MATCH CENTRE
Moonee Valley has made a superb start to the year with a dominant 10-goal win over St Albans.
In what quickly eventuated into a shoot-out, the Fog dominated proceedings all day to record one of their more impressive wins in recent times.
A 14-goal first half saw the hosts nearly crack 100 points and take a lead of seven goals into the main break.
Another 10 goals in the second half ensured the result for the Valley, who couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season.
Mitch Clarke had a day out with a bag of six goals, while Bevan Newell was also among their best for the afternoon.
On the other end of the scale, it’s a disappointing result for St Albans when considering their scintillating early-season form from last year.
The Saints bled goals all day and couldn’t contain a surging Moonee Valley forward line.
Despite the loss, Hok Marial and Jacob Hunt shined up forward with logs of five and four goals respectively.
Moonee Valley will travel to Lionheart Reserve next week in a real test against Taylors Lakes, while St Albans will look to bounce back against East Keilor at home.
RUPERTSWOOD 9.10 (64) def. by OAK PARK 13.11 (89)
MATCH CENTRE
Premiership favourites Oak Park has kicked off its season in style with a gritty 25-point win over a brave Rupertswood.
In dire conditions, the Roos started strong with nine goals to three in the first half.
They appeared to be rolling towards an opening round thrashing before Rupertswood found some fight in the second half.
A greatly improved third quarter from the home side saw them reign the margin back to just three goals at the final break.
Oak Park lifted though, and while Rupo continued to challenge in the final term, it ultimately wasn’t enough to overhaul a composed Roos outfit.
Anthony Delorenzi was robust up forward for the Roos with three goals to open his account, while Tyson Old was superb around the ground with 30 disposals and eight clearances.
Meanwhile for Ruperstwood, Jackson Cardillo continued with his efforts from last year with another impressive performance that included 25 disposals and six clearances. Fraser Phelan-Smith also tried hard with three majors to his name.
Oak Park will return home to JP Fawkner Reserve next week to host West Coburg in a blockbuster clash, while Rupertswood will hit the road to take on Craigieburn.
AVONDALE HEIGHTS 25.13 (163) def. EAST KEILOR 6.5 (41)
MATCH CENTRE
Avondale Heights has kickstarted their season in brilliant fashion with an emphatic 122-point win over East Keilor at Canning Reserve.
A relatively competitive first half saw Avondale take a 27-point lead into the main break, with the door still left ajar for East Keilor to stick around.
Yet this was not the case, with the Heights flexing their muscles and powering away with a 17-goal-to-two second half of football.
In a monstrous display, the Heights will not doubt take plenty of encouragement away from their third quarter.
A simply sizzling period of the game, the Heights kicked 12 goals to two and dominated the proceedings after being challenged earlier on.
With 12 individual goal kickers for the game, it’s a significant win for the Heights.
While for East Keilor, they’ll be pleased with their efforts in the first half but ultimately couldn’t match it with their opponents when the heat went up.
In an all too familiar position, the Cougars will get a chance to respond when they next take on St Albans, who also fell to a significant loss.
Avondale Heights will look to make it two out of two at home when it hosts Tullamarine.
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By Jake Reeves & Eric Forman
EAST SUNBURY 6.12 (48) def. SUNBURY LIONS 1.1 (7)
MATCH CENTRE
East Sunbury has won its first senior women's game in a 41-point victory over Sunbury Lions at John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
It was a tense opening before the Thunder opened up a 28-point lead at the main change with four unanswered goals in the second quarter.
The Lions responded in the third quarter with an early goal, but couldn't cut the deficit heading into the last.
With a historic first win in sight to start season three, East Sunbury powered home with two goals from seven scoring shots, breaking through for the win.
Ruby Taranto was dominant with four goals in her return to to the Thunder, with Mariam Habib and Rhianna Kirk slotting a goal each.
The goal scoring trio earned their way into the best, with Molly Connell and Charrouf Habib key contributors as well.
Toniyah Wilkins-Waretini scored Sunbury Lions' only goal, with Hayley Parke and Karla Tentonello named their best.
East Sunbury will look to carry the momentum into a clash with Westmeadows, while the Lions will host Keilor Park.
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 0.1 (1) def. by WESTMEADOWS 5.15 (45)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows has started its season in style knocking off Burnside Heights by 44 points at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers were wayward in front of goal but conjured five majors coming from Gemma Wright, Stefanie Maiorana, Danielle Linton, Liana Keenan, and Courteney Munn.
Westmeadows welcomed North Melbourne AFLW premiership player Sarah Wright, who joined sister Gemma, and was named among the best.
It was a tough afternoon for the Bears who sorely missed their outgoing stars, but Sarah Poni and Kiara Asani-Davis were seen as some of the best for the home side.
It is a positive sign for the Tigers moving forward as they lost three of four matchups in 2025 to the Bears, a huge way to get their 2026 campaign underway.
Burnside Heights now have their eyes set on Roxburgh Park away next Saturday afternoon, while Westmeadows will host for the first time this season against East Sunbury that morning.
TULLAMARINE 3.4 (22) def. by CRAIGIEBURN 5.3 (33)
MATCH CENTRE
Craigieburn has returned to senior women's action with an 11-point win over Tullamarine at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Eagles led from start to finish maintaining a buffer on the Demons all game.
Mietta Datson kicked off proceedings with the first goal inside opening the minutes, before a goal each way closed out the first quarter.
The Eagles would score the only three goals of quarters two and three to take a 25-point lead into the last quarter.
Tullamarine did all the scoring in the last kicking 2.2, but it wasn't enough in the end.
Louise Portelli kicked two goals to lead the scoring for the Eagles, with singles to Datson, Sienna Scuderi, and Harmony Tavita, all Under 18.5 premiership players from 2025.
Marianna Shiba and Madeline Agius toiled away for the Dees and were named their best.
Tullamarine will look to get on the board next week against Coburg Districts, while Craigieburn will host Taylors Lakes.
TAYLORS LAKES 1.0 (6) def. by GISBORNE 9.13 (67)
MATCH CENTRE
Gisborne’s Division One return could not have started any better with a dominant 61-point win in a grand final rematch against Taylors Lakes at Lionheart Reserve.
It was a great day to play for Gisborne with seven individual goal-kickers throughout the match, with Shannon McFerran and Amelia Hodgson nailing two each.
Amy O’Kelly, Maisy Crowther, and Stephanie Brancatisano were all acknowledged among the best on Saturday afternoon for the Bulldogs.
Courtney McCormack was a clear stand out across the afternoon in a losing side, being the main player in the middle for the Lions.
McCormack conjured 10 best players of 16 games last season in Division Two and looks to continue her elite form in Division One in 2026.
Gisborne is set to face Sunbury Kangaroos next Saturday in a twilight slot at Gardiner reserve, while Taylors Lakes will be wanting to respond against Craigieburn next Saturday afternoon.
KEILOR PARK 8.7 (55) def. COBURG DISTRICTS 1.3 (9)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor Park has started 2026 with a 46-point home win over Coburg Districts.
The Devils were in control from the outset keeping the Lions scoreless, and steadily adding to their tally across the first three quarters.
Coburg Districts were able to hit the scoreboard in the last kicking 1.3 while holding Keilor Park scoreless, positive signs for the Lions.
Georgia O'Donovan led the scoring with three goals, while Cailtyn Crameri and Sophie Shaw added two goals each.
Kaitlin Bojarowski and Antonietta Parisi were named Keilor Park's best.
Isabella Cunnington kicked the solitary goal for Districts, with Zoe Manning and Bridgette Aparo named their best.
The Devils will next head to Clarke Oval to play Sunbury Lions, while Coburg Districts will host Tullamarine.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS 9.9 (63) def. ROXBURGH PARK 3.5 (23)
MATCH CENTRE
Sunbury Kangaroos have comprehensively taken down Roxburgh Park with a 40-point win at Eric Boardman Reserve.
The Kangaroos were led by a five-goal masterclass from Georgia Marinier, who only played the five games last year, and looms as one to stop when coming up against the Kangaroos.
Roxy was competitive throughout the match, always within touching distance of the home side, but a four-goal final term for the Kangaroos powered them to victory.
Goalscorer Nicole Knudson and teammates Tylah Bell, Teaghan Tweedly, Kristy Turner, and Rhiannon Hanley were all judged best on field for the Kangaroos.
Hard-fought performances from Emily Prouse, Tayla Semmens, Kiesha Croxford, Kiara Croxford, and Awatea Poutini were crucial on a challenging night for the visitors.
Sunbury Kangaroos are set for back-to-back twilight games, heading to Gardiner Reserve to face Gisborne.
Meanwhile, Roxy heads back home to host Burnside Heights in a big clash at Lakeside Reserve.
By Michelle Dunstan
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 8.10 (58) def. by WESTMEADOWS 11.8 (74)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows held off a valiant Burnside Heights in a 16-point win to start 2026 at Tenterfield Drive.
The Bears got the jump on the Tigers with the first three goals of the game, before Westy responded with a settler halfway through the first.
Damien Gillman's men again won the second quarter taking an 18-point lead into the main break.
The Tigers asserted their authority in the third quarter kicking five unanswered goals to lead by nine points heading into the last.
Nicholas Schiemer brought the margin to within a kick with an early goal, before Westy kicked three of the last four to take home the four points.
Shaun O'Grady kicking four goals for the Tigers with Adrian Alfonsi, Jack Bullock, and Jake Hatton adding two each.
Bullock was named their best adding 21 disposals and six tackles to his goals, while Michael Portelli and Rhys Gleisner also impressed.
Toby Pullens was the only multiple goal scorer for the Bears with two majors in just his third game of senior footy, while Ben Ryan was named their best with 20 disposals and seven intercepts.
Burnside Heights will look to bounce back on the road against Roxburgh Park, while Westmeadows will host Keilor Park.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS 7.15 (57) def. ROXBURGH PARK 6.6 (42)
MATCH CENTRE
A wayward Sunbury Kangaroos managed a 15-point win over Roxburgh Park in a low-scoring affair at Eric Boardman Reserve.
The Magpies made the most of early opportunities kicking 4.1 in the first quarter to lead by 11 points at quarter time.
They were held goalless from four scores in the second, although the Kangaroos' inaccurate 1.6 for the quarter meant Roxy led by three points at the main change.
Scoring opportunities were scarce in the third quarter, with two quick Kangaroos goals through Mitch Streiff putting them ahead at the last change.
The Kangaroos would pepper the goalface in the last without much success kicking 2.5, but were able to do enough to come away with the win.
Streiff ended with four goals, while Rhylee Lofts kicked two goals on senior debut.
Connor Hamilton (18 disposals, eight marks) and Joshua Nanninga (25 disposals, seven inside 50s) were named the best for the Kangaroos in club debuts.
Travis Cooke was among the best for Roxburgh Park in defence with 29 disposals, 11 intercepts, and 10 rebound 50s.
Roxy will look to bounce back at home against Burnside Heights, while Sunbury Kangaroos will head to Charles Mutton Reserve to play Northern Saints.
EAST SUNBURY 7.10 (52) def. by HADFIELD 11.9 (75)
MATCH CENTRE
Hadfield has started season 2026 with a 23-point win over East Sunbury at John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
It was an even first quarter before Hadfield got on top in the second quarter kicking four goals to one.
The Hawks pushed the lead out to 35 points halfway through the third, but the Thunder managed to stop the contest from blowing out, coming within 16 points during the final term.
Hadfield was too good in the end with usual suspects Sam Godden, Josh Trembearth, and Jacob Polizzi among the best.
Mohammed Moustafa also impressed with four goals, as he looks to recapture his best at senior level.
Port Adelaide legend Robbie Gray showed out in his first game since 2024, kicking a goal as the Thunder's best player.
Tarkyn Bishop and Wade Lees were also solid contributors.
East Sunbury will next host Glenroy, while Hadfield will host Coburg Districts.
GLENROY 21.14 (140) def. NORTHERN SAINTS 7.4 (46)
MATCH CENTRE
Glenroy powered home to a 94-point win over Northern Saints to commence its 2026 campaign.
Three red-time goals saw the Roys lead by 21 points at the first change, before they opened up a 36-point lead during the second quarter.
The Saints managed to keep the deficit around that mark to three-quarter time, before the Roys exploded with eight unanswered goals in the final term to blow out the margin.
Aaron Kite and Jake Young kicked five goals each, with Dervis Akkus, Daniel Micevski, and Bobby Saric kicking two each.
Micevski impressed on club debut alongside fellow Greenvale recruit Ryan Townsend, and skipper Tanner Nilsson.
Hassan Bakkar and Nick Bruno led the scoring for the Saints with two goals each, while Danaren Morgan-Ritchie was named their best.
Glenroy will look to keep on rolling on the road against East Sunbury, while Northern Saints will host Sunbury Kangaroos.
