By Luke Mathews
Aberfeldie will be hoping to remain undefeated when it hosts Airport West in the annual Anzac Day clash at Clifton Park.
The Rillas have recorded two nail-biting wins to start the year which include a five-point win against Deer Park, and a last gasp, four-point win over Keilor.
After a strong performance in Round 1, the Eagles were disappointing last week going down to Marby by 39 points.
These two sides played out a famous semi-final last year, with Airport West winning by a point thanks to a Luca Muratore goal after the siren.
Leigh Tudor’s men have been strong at clearances so far in 2026 and are ranked number one to start the year and are also ranked second for inside 50s.
Meanwhile Airport West is ranked sixth for clearances and eighth for inside 50s.
One for Airport West to stop on Saturday will be Will Brkic.
Brkic has been an attacking force for Abers averaging 18 disposals and three goals a game, including the match winner last week.
The Airport West defence put up a strong showing last week despite going down, however it’ll need to lift across the ground if they are any chance of claiming the four points.
Hillside and Greenvale will be looking for their first wins for 2026 when they square off at Shark Park.
In its first season in Premier Division, Hillside has been competitive in both matches, however has failed to claim the four points on both occasions, going down to Pascoe Vale and Deer Park.
It’s a similar story for Greenvale who has been gallant in defeat, but ultimately not quite good enough to get over the line against Marby and Pascoe Vale.
Saturday’s encounter will be the first time these two sides have met in senior football with Greenvale being a staple in Premier Division since 2002, while Hillside first fielded a senior side in 2005.
For Hillside to win they’ll need to find a way to stop Riley Leedham.
The big man has been on fire to start 2026, booting eight goals across his two games including a bag of five against Pascoe Vale last weekend.
The Hillside backline hasn’t had a big bag kicked on them just yet, with Jackson Barling and Lachlan Fazzolari managing four each and will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.
Pascoe Vale will be a chance to move to 3-0 to start the season, when it travels to Joe Brown Oval to take on Keilor.
It’s been the dream start for Daniel Harris’ first season as full-time senior coach, knocking off Hillside and Greenvale in the first two matches.
Meanwhile it is unchartered territory for Keilor who are 0-2 and still on the hunt for their first win after they went to Strathmore on Good Friday and lost a thriller to Abers last week.
Last time out Pascoe Vale stunned the competition, defeating Keilor by six points which proved to be their only loss for the home and away season.
Keilor did defeat Pascoe Vale in the 2024 grand final however the Panthers are one of only two sides to beat Keilor multiple times since 2023, with their other win coming in the 2024 qualifying final.
If Keilor are to end their winless run, they’ll need to take care of Tyson Scoble.
The offseason recruit is turning out to be a shrewd pick up, booting seven goals in his first two games in red and black.
The Keilor backline has struggled to start 2026, giving up an average of 112 points per game and will need to be at their best if they are to quell Pascoe Vale’s forward threats.
Deer Park will be out to end Strathmore’s unbeaten run when it travels to Lebanon Reserve to take on the reigning premier.
Despite losing one game to start 2026, Jamie Madigan’s side has been impressive so far, losing a tight one to Aberfeldie and claimed their first win over Hillside last week.
Strathmore has been nearly faultless to start its premiership defence, taking care of Keilor on Good Friday and Essendon Doutta Stars last week.
Last year, Deer Park proved to be no match for Strathmore going down by 86 points in Round 5 and 76 points in Round 14.
There'll be a keen watch at one end of the ground with Deer Park forward Jackson Barling and Strathmore defender Liam Cavanagh.
The two superstars are ranked number one and two for ranking points, with Cavanagh averaging 32 disposals, 11 intercepts, and 168 points, while Barling has kicked 11 goals and is averaging 149 points.
No one has been able to quell Strathmore’s defensive general so far in 2026, however Barling will require some attention no matter the matchup they go for.
The Lions enter this game with a hefty injury list, so team seletion will be an interesting watch.
Maribyrnong Park will be hoping to remain undefeated to start 2026 when it takes on Essendon Doutta Stars at Monk Oval.
Brodie Holland’s side has been strong to start 2026, scraping over the line against Greenvale before overpowering Airport West on Saturday night.
Douttas have once again been solid to start the season, however haven’t been able to come away with the win in either game, losing to Airport West and Strathmore to start the season.
The two teams were evenly matched in their two games in 2025, with Marby winning the first clash by 30 points, while Douttas turned the tables in Round 16 and claimed a 40-point victory.
One man that will be hoping to continue his strong form to start the year is Dylan Laurie.
The defender hasn’t missed a beat so far in 2026, averaging 31 disposals and seven intercepts across his first two games.
Marby have a number of dynamic small forwards that will need to test out Douttas’ rebounding defender if they hope to claim their third win for the year.
By Ben Parker
Craigieburn is set to welcome Moonee Valley to the Eagles Nest in what’s building to be an exciting top-of-the-ladder contest at DS Aitken Reserve.
With both sides going into this bout undefeated and playing sensational footy, it’s a real chance for onlookers to catch a glimpse of two emerging sides in Division One footy.
The hosts will be looking to put Moonee Valley back into their place with a defining win here.
After making a preliminary final last year, the Eagles have carried their sizzling, end-of-year form into this year with wins over Tullamarine and Rupertswood to date.
They were challenged last week by a formidable Rupo outfit but were able to put the foot down and power away in what was a terrific final quarter of footy with five goals to one.
With ball movement consistent of chipping the football around and finding uncontested marks, evidenced by their +42 in marks figure last week, they’ll be hard to stop if they can assert a similar level of control over the game as last week.
On a similar note, Moonee Valley could not have asked for a better start to their season.
With excellent wins over St Albans and Taylors Lakes so far, a real test awaits the Fog this weekend when they take on last year’s preliminary finalists.
What’s been perhaps the most exciting part of the Valley’s game has been their ability to put up big scores.
They kicked a thumping 24 goals in Round 1 and then backed it up with another ton last week on a total score of 110.
If they’re hitting the scoreboard in similar fashion, look out.
Mitch Clarke has kicked 10 goals through the opening two weeks of football for the Valley and is the major threat again here.
St Albans and Avondale Heights will do battle in what’s a fascinating contest at Kings Park Reserve.
Coming off vastly different results last week, it’s a pivotal game to win for both sides.
The Saints were obliterated by Moonee Valley in Round 1 before they bounced back in emphatic fashion against East Keilor last week.
An 81-point victory all but confirming they’re still capable on their day.
Jacob Townsend kicked seven in his highly anticipated return, while Mason Dipetta also found the goals with six to his name by days end.
However, it’s a different test altogether this week as they run into an Avondale Heights outfit who will be hungry after a disappointing effort last week.
The Heights were destroyed by Tullamarine in a dominant display from the Dees after half time.
Against a dangerous Saints outfit, the Heights will need to produce a full four-quarter performance if they are to move to 2-1.
Tullamarine will look to build upon its robust early-season form when it hosts premiership favourites Oak Park at Leo Dineen Reserve this week.
It should be an entertaining spectacle for onlookers with both sides bringing strong early-season form into this bout.
Have the Dees taken that next step forward?
After falling agonisingly short in just about every single close game last season, Tullamarine appear to have taken that next step in their progression.
A 59-point thumping of Avondale Heights last week suggests the Dees can shake the competition up this year, and there’s no greater challenge than Oak Park.
After his bag of four last week, Steven Vocale will be the one to watch up forward when he goes to battle against Oak Park’s defensive unit.
The Roos come into this clash with two hard-fought wins to their record.
A 25-point win over Rupertswood in Round 1, and a 12-point win against West Coburg last week demonstrates that the Roos are right on track.
The benchmark of the competition, the Roos will no doubt be looking to widen the gap between themselves and Tullamarine this week.
Defender Lachlan Stredwick was back among their best last week and will look to make his presence felt early here.
Rupertswood is set to host West Coburg as the Sharks look to capture their first win of 2026.
Rupertswood has produced two solid performances so far this season without capturing a win.
They were horrible in front of goal last week against Craigieburn, logging a final score of 5.18 (48), and only went down to Oak Park by four goals in Round 1.
It’s an important game for their season this week as they look to prove that they’re capable of slogging out a hard-fought win.
Or are they going to be the side that falls agonisingly short week in, week out?
But with premiership pedigree, Rupo can certainly bounce into the winner’s stalls here.
Sean Heatherington is the one to keep an eye on this week for Rupo. After returning from Maribyrnong Park at the end of last year, he has impressed thus far.
On the other side of the ledger lies West Coburg who will no doubt be looking to make a statement here.
After dismantling Taylors Lakes on Good Friday, they were pegged back by an impressive Oak Park outfit last week.
If the Burgers want to be a genuine premiership contender again this season, then they will want to be putting games like these away.
It’s an exciting opportunity for both sides this week.
East Keilor will be looking to prove doubters wrong and claim a major scalp this week when it faces Taylors Lakes at Overland Reserve.
After being beaten by a total of 203 points throughout the opening two rounds, the Cougars will be snarling for a win soon.
They were competitive in the first half of their clash with Avondale Heights going into the main break being down only 27 points, but they failed to fire any shots in the second half.
It gets no easier for them this week when they host a Taylors Lakes side desperate to sink their teeth into a win.
The Lions have been disappointing to start of 2026.
However, they ooze class around the ground and with stars on just about every line, they look hard to hold out come Saturday.
Jake Hobbs and Lachlan Rayner are quickly starting to put together elite seasons for the Lions and will be hard to matchup on.
Hobbs was everywhere in their loss to Moonee Valley last week. He collected 36 disposals, 11 marks, and had eight clearances in what was an emphatic display.
Rayner, who has been the highest rated player on the ground for two weeks in a row, will miss through suspension and is a big loss for the Lions.
By Leroy de Villiers
Friday night footy will kick off Round 3 of Strathmore Community Bank Division Two with Roxburgh Park hosting Hadfield on Anzac Day Eve.
Both teams sit 1-1 and will relish the opportunity to get an early advantage in their pursuit of a finals spot.
It was a massive 100-point win for Roxy last week against Burnside Heights, Teronne Roberts-Potter the star with 12 majors.
Roberts-Potter enjoyed a strong first half of 2025 before leaving Lakeside Reserve to head interstate, and has reignited that form here in Division Two.
Luke Smith was strong in the middle with 32 disposals, seven clearances, and five tackles, along with Andrew Capuana (30 disposals, eight tackles).
Their gruntwork will be required to curb the influence of Hadfield stars Josh Trembearth, Sam Godden, and Jake Polizzi.
The trio have been at their reliable best to start 2026, but were unable to overcome Coburg Districts in the 39-point loss last week.
An area for improvement will certainly be conversion, with the Hawks kicking 8.13.
The action will continue on Saturday with the winless Burnside Heights hosting a red-hot Coburg Districts.
The Bears fell away last week after a promising opening outing, while the Lions have put away two sides aspiring for finals.
Burnside Heights struggled to get its hands on the footy and control it last week, but would be hoping to gain the ascendancy out of the middle it enjoyed in Round 1.
The Bears were up six in the clearance count for three more inside 50s in Round 1, Lachlan Evans (29 hit outs, nine clearances) and Anthony Petrarca (eight clearances) leading the way.
The Lions on the other hand will be hoping for more of the same.
Jack McNamara is again proving to be hard to stop with 11 goals, while Curtis Rawlings is coming off a five-goal game last week.
Plenty of attention will need to go to those two if the Bears are any chance.
The local derby will see Sunbury Kangaroos host East Sunbury.
It has been a perfect start for the Kangaroos, while the Thunder have been competitive in their two losses.
Sunbury Kangaroos have won in both low and high-scoring affairs, with Mitch Streiff on both occasions has slotting four goals.
Going from three goals scorers to nine, Shanon Carroll and Dean Young will be hoping for more of the latter this weekend.
East Sunbury has been in right in the contest in the losses to Hadfield and Glenroy, a high-pressure game a strong feature.
Rusi Komaitai's inclusion in the ruck allowed Todd Elton more time up forward which paid dividends, a six-goal haul the result.
If Brendan Fevola returns after missing last week, it'll add another dimension for James Strauss.
An interesting contest looms as Keilor Park hosts Northern Saints with both sides looking for its first win.
The Devils have been comfortably beaten in their two losses to Coburg Districts and Westmeadows, two sides that are, it must be said, expected to pushing late in the season.
They've struggled to get a score on the board without Daylan Kempster, Shylo Smith's two goals in each game a welcome constant.
Colby Blyth will look for a big lift this week to get their season going.
The Saints on the other hand, were beaten big in a fourth-quarter fadeout against Glenroy, but almost came from the clouds to defeat Sunbury Kangaroos.
They kicked eight final-quarter goals, but it wasn't enough in the end.
Ezzat Haddara starred on club debut with 34 disposals and two goals, while Nick Bruno (five goals) and Khoder Taleb (three goals) were dangerous in front of goal.
Tamer Abdallah and Antony Papalia will be hoping to bring it from the start in this contest to give themselves every chance.
The annual Anzac Day clash between Glenroy and Westmeadows will take place at Sewell Reserve with an unblemished record up for grabs.
It'll serve as an early look at two of the premiership favourites with the Roys' new recruits taking them to a new level, and Westy showing why they've been to consecutive grand finals.
Glenroy powered home to wins in each game so far, but was made to work for it last week against East Sunbury.
The Roys kicked five goals to two in the final quarter against the Thunder, and eight unanswered in Round 1, showing their ability to run out games.
Daniel Micevski has been among the best in both games, finding the footy and hitting the scoreboard, and will be one to stop for Westy.
Addam Maric would have been impressed with the spread of goal kickers last week, following Aaron Kite and Jake Young combining for 10 in Round 1, showing their ability to share the load as well as how potent their forward threats are on any given day.
For Westmeadows, it was made to work for it in Round 1 before dominating the Devils in Round 2.
The Tigers were on from the outset with four players kicking three goals or more.
One of whom was Aaron Evans who had 33 disposals and four goals, showing why he's one of the most dangerous players in this competition.
The two sides played in two belters last year and split the results, don't miss this one on Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
KEILOR v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
ABERFELDIE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
HILLSIDE v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
STRATHMORE v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
TULLAMARINE v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
EAST KEILOR v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
ST ALBANS v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
ROXBURGH PARK v HADFIELD
Friday 7:30pm at Lakeside Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
KEILOR PARK v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
GLENROY v WESTMEADOWS
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Saturday 2:30pm at Sewell Reserve
