By Evan Tudor
A new era begins for Airport Toyota Premier Division on Saturday, as powerhouse women’s side Caroline Springs makes its EDFL seniors debut against Division One’s reigning champion, Strathmore.
The match, taking place at Caroline Springs Town Centre Recreation Reserve, will open the Lakers’ account in the top flight of EDFL women’s football after last year’s undefeated season saw them claim the WFNL premiership.
The Lakers have featured in every WFNL senior women’s grand final since the standalone tournament began in 2018, with the side also hoisting silverware in 2022.
They’ll run out on their home field hoping to make a statement early, with the league’s latest unknown quantity set to be led by coach Mick Gerada.
Last week, Lakers’ Reserves recorded a thumping 243-point win back in the west. Perhaps we’ll see some of the standouts from that match make a senior appearance this week.
Up against them is Strathmore, which is fresh off its first win in the EDFL women’s top flight since 2023.
The Mores took the opening four points of the season with a 20-point victory over Keilor in a game where all its players worked together beautifully.
Led by captain Eloise Egglestone, who was named the best-on, Strathmore stunned with three goals off the boot of Taylah Gilcrist, and strong performances from Edith Kavanagh, Yasmin Welsford, and Talia Motta.
It’ll be the Mores’ second hit out of the season in three weeks having had last weekend off, but the break allowed them to focus on their new opponent.
Who gets up? It’s hard to decide now, but all uncertainties will be revealed during Saturday’s contest.
Can’t make it to the game? Watch along live and free from wherever you are thanks to Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day.
Aberfeldie will be looking to bounce back when it takes on Oak Park at Clifton Park.
It’ll be the Two Blues' first home match of the season following defeat at the hands of Hillside last weekend, while the Kangas enter this one after taking control of Maribyrnong Park in a 31-point victory.
The clash between these two sides will be the first time we see them go head-to-head since last year’s qualifying final that saw the Kangas win by 16 points, surviving a late-surging Aberfeldie.
Last year’s leading goalkicker Moana Hope slotted two in that defeat, with the forward looking to return to her goalkicking ways after an uneventful outing last weekend.
Oak Park boasted seven individual goalscorers in its victory five days ago and hope that they can run it back on Saturday.
If they can, it’ll certainly put them in prime position to walk away from enemy territory with a win.
Maggie Styles was the only Roo to secure multiple goals, with the Western Bulldogs VFLW defender making an appearance on the best-on list.
Aberfeldie will also look to draw on its own former AFLW talent on Saturday, with former Shinboner Tahni Nestor waiting to be joined by Jess Duffin of Hawthorn and Emily Elkington of West Coast for the first time this season.
Both sides have the talent and specialsied strengths to grab the four points in this contest, but how they’re used and who does it best can only be found out on Saturday.
Keilor returns to the field after having the Easter weekend off when it welcomes Essendon Doutta Stars to Green Gully Reserve.
Out of the opponents’ three meetings in 2025, it was the Blues who got the chocolates in the latest clash in Round 14 by 15 points, but the Stars who took bragging rights for the year, winning the prior two contests by an average of 20 points.
Both sides will be looking to secure their first win of the season following losses in Round 1, with the Blues facing defeat from Strathmore, and the Stars’ resurrection against Moonee Valley coming too late.
Keilor was hungry to get the win over Strathmore two weeks back with a determined outfit from full forward to full back at Lebanon Reserve, but simply couldn’t keep up with the reigning Division One champions.
Kaitlyn O’Keefe and Olivia Castello both slotted a goal each for the Blues, and captain Sophie Cameron joined them on the best-on list, making up for the absence of Tegan Matthews.
The Matthews departure will be an issue Keilor will have to navigate in 2026 if the Blues really want to solidify some dominance in this competition again.
Essendon Doutta Stars will look to reinstate last week’s rampant final quarter against Moonee Valley for a full match on Saturday, as the Stars slotted 2.3 to nil, drawing the margin back to a straight kick before the siren went.
Mia Tully ignited the fuse that set Douttas off with three majors and is the type of opponent that Keilor will need to strategically prepare for.
It’s set to be a fantastic contest that adds to an exciting round of Airport Toyota Premier Division as season 2026 well and truly gets under way.
One of the most interesting clashes this weekend will be played out at Walsh Oval, as Maribyrnong Park and Hillside close off Round 2 of Airport Toyota Premier Division.
The reigning premier Hillside started its premiership defence on the right foot as it held off Aberfeldie by 11 points.
It was a win dominated by premiership players who’ll look to go big on Saturday again, with Emily Paterno and Caitlin Sargent both snagging two in wet and wild conditions.
Nikita Wright, Hannah Ibrahim, and new recruit Krissy Trang were all unstoppable across the field, picking up best-on honours.
While the Sharks may just be favourites at this stage, the main area of interest this week is what kind of impact will this new look Maribyrnong Park side have against the reigning premiers?
The Lions brought their all against last year’s runners up Oak Park on Saturday, with their new recruits putting the competition on notice.
Former Keilor cult hero Tegan Matthews put on the Marby jumper again and struck with a goal, quickly joining former Two Blue Charli Calleia on the best-on list.
Dimi Papadopoulos will be one of the players to watch this season with the 16-year-old debuting in the top flight with two goals and looks set to spice up this weekend’s encounter.
The Lions will also harness former AFLW talent in Kerryn Peterson, who featured last week alongside Tahlia Read.
Despite the loss last weekend, it’s all positive signs for Maribyrnong Park who look an exciting side in 2026, with a first win since 2024 hopefully just around the corner.
Will it be the reigning premier whose streak continues, or a refreshed side who’s on the rise that takes the win on Saturday? Let’s find out.
By Jake Reeves & Michelle Dunstan
To kick off the round, Westmeadows looks to continue its great start to the season against East Sunbury at Willowbrook Reserve.
The Thunder enter this game on the back of a long-awaited win in their season opener against the Sunbury Lions.
The top of the table Tigers held Burnside Heights goalless last week, being able to conjure five of their own in a wayward afternoon infront of the sticks.
It was the first time in a long time East Sunbury found its way into the winners list, but last weekend, it was outright jubilation post match after a commanding 41-point victory over cross town rivals.
Coming off four goals last week, Ruby Taranto needs to be stopped as she has proven she can rip a game to shreds. The Habib’s in Mariam and Charrouf also were seen as a couple of the best in the win against the Lions.
In her Tigers debut, Sarah Wright received best player honours, necessary to put some attention into, with teammates Courteney Munn, Ruby Smith, and Jameson Best all highly rated across the afternoon.
Roxburgh Park will return home to Lakeside Reserve to take on Burnside Heights with both sides looking to open their accounts.
The Magpies suffered a 40-point loss against the Sunbury Kangaroos, while the Bears dropped their game to Westmeadows by 44 points.
The last time these sides met was in June 2018 with Burnside Heights winning by 70 points, but it'll be a new look for both sides.
Emily Prouse and Haylea Cooke led the way last week for Roxy, with Kiesha and Kiara Croxford another two the Bears will need to look out for.
Although the Bears lost some talent in the offseason, Sarah Poni and Kiara Asani-Davis remain two that will keep the opposition on their toes.
Craigieburn is hosting for the first time this season against Taylors Lakes at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
The Eagles knocked off Tullamarine away from home in the season opener by 11 points and look the goods coming into the Round 2 clash.
On the other hand, it was a challenging afternoon for the Lions, who were outclassed by Gisborne by 61 points.
Courtney McCormack’s midfield masterclass was well-regarded, given best player recognition, alongside the performances of Sarah Sullivan, Emma Villani, Tamika Pettiford, and Stella Hoye.
The Lions will need their superstars to step up to try and get on the board in the new season.
Craigieburn’s powerful first three quarters were led by Zali Poorter, Sienna Gioupas, Kaylee Allen, Indiana Simpson, and a two-goal performance by Louise Portelli.
They were all crucial in their win last weekend, and will be important on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions will be out for revenge and will set this as a must-win game, while Craigieburn will want to continue its winning form, wanting to go 2-0 to start 2026.
Sunbury Lions and Keilor Park will meet at the wide expanses Clarke Oval on Saturday.
The Devils remain one of the premiership fancies and started with a strong against Coburg Districts last week.
The Lions went down to East Sunbury in a tough outing, one that should provide opportunities for improvement.
June 2018 was the last time these sides met with 2026 coach Jaimee-Lee Wilson kicking four goals in a best-on-ground display.
Wilson will put some attention toward Devils key forwards Caitlyn Crameri and Georgia O'Donovan who picked up where they left off in 2025.
The pair combined for five goals and can turn a game quickly.
Tullamarine will head to Cole Reserve to play Coburg Districts as both sides look for a first win.
Coburg Districts suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Keilor Park, while Tullamarine went down to Craigieburn by 11 points.
The Demons finished the game strong with a fourth quarter they'll look to take some momentum from.
Marianna Shiba and Madeline Agius were named their best with Bianca Devine, Taylah Hardman, and Cassandra Standley kicking goals.
For Coburg Districts, Zoe Manning and Bridgette Aparo were standout performers with Isabella Cunnington kicking their only goal.
The two sides last met in Round 12 last year where it was Tulla winning by 20 points.
We may have left the best for last.
The round wraps up at Gardiner Reserve with Gisborne coming up against the Sunbury Kangaroos in a blockbuster clash in the twilight slot.
Gisborne, who played Taylors Lakes in a grand final rematch last Saturday afternoon, cruised to victory by over 10 goals in a mammoth win away from home.
The Roos were too good for Roxy and won by 40 points, led by Georgia Marinier, who nailed five majors in a dominant display infront of the home crowd.
Alongside Marinier, teammates Kristy Turner, Nicole Knudson, and Tylah Bell are all valuable players for the Kangaroos, who need all stars to fire on Saturday evening.
Shannon McFerran and Amelia Hodgson hit the scoreboard twice for Gisborne last weekend, with Amy O’Kelly, Maisy Crowther, and Ricki-Lee Turton will all want to continue their form into their second game of the season.
A huge clash beckons with both sides looking to start their seasons strong.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
CAROLINE SPRINGS v STRATHMORE
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at Town Centre Recreation Reserve
ABERFELDIE v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Clifton Park
KEILOR v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 1:50pm at Green Gully Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
WESTMEADOWS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 10:00am at Willowbrook Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 11:50am at Lakeside Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Clarke Oval
CRAIGIEBURN v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Highgate Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 11:50am at Cole Reserve
GISBORNE v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 4:55pm at Gardiner Reserve
