By Eric Forman
The bottom two sides of the top flight will battle it out at Section Road when Greenvale hosts Airport West.
The Eagles are looking for their first win since Round 1, while the Jets picked up their lone win on Anzac Day.
Greenvale has been competitive in all but one game, with two single-figure losses and two within five goals, the outlier a 126-point loss to Strathmore.
Airport West has also been competitive, but has had a tendency to fade out of games, conceding 140 more second-half points than they've scored in the five losses.
Matt Hanson, Ned Gentile, and Bior Malual have unsurprisingly been among the best, but the Eagles have struggled to score (second lowest in the competition) with off-season departures and VFL absentees taking their toll.
If Greenvale can prevent Eagles midfielders pushing forward and hitting the scoreboard, it'll go a long way to getting a result.
Greenvale kicked its highest score of the season last week against Keilor, Riley Leedham's seven goals a standout.
In combination with Josh Porter, they pose a tough assignment for Eagles defenders.
Airport West won its last matchup against Greenvale last season, Thai Macumber and Ben Nelson kicking three goals each would be something coach Brent Taylor would love to see replicated.
Maribyrnong Park will look to snap a two-game losing streak when it heads to Joe Brown Oval to take on Keilor.
The Lions have lost heavy to Aberfeldie and Pascoe Vale following four straight wins to start the season.
Keilor, on the other hand, has won two in a row following a couple of hiccups in the opening month of action.
Nick O'Kearney's return has boosted the Blues in the two wins, while Jack Brown has been a standout in his return to Keilor full time.
The ruck battle will be an interesting watch with Andrew Vavra flourishing in new colours, going up against Mac Johnston who will make him earn his spoils.
If the Keilor midfield unit can get first use from Vavra, it'll make things tough for the Lions who have conceded the clearance count in the two recent losses.
Jack Gerardi will be one Marby will be hoping continues his strong form this season with 23 disposals and seven clearances per game.
Can Marby respond or will Keilor continue its run?
Hillside will face its toughest challenge this season when it heads to Lebanon Reserve to play Strathmore.
The Sharks are coming off a rousing one-point victory over Aberfeldie, while Strathmore remains undefeated.
Hillside was strong in the contest in the Aberfeldie win, winning the clearance and contested possession count while bringing strong pressure around the ground.
Former More Nick Fluke has been one of the most consistent for the Sharks setting up a lot of play from their defensive half, averaging 27 disposals, eight intercepts, and six rebound 50s per game.
Greenvale planned specifically for Fluke in Round 3 and restricted him to 15 disposals, the Sharks kicking their second lowest score for the season.
Atu Bosenavulagi found his best form last week with 30 disposals and will look for more of that this week.
They'll need to bring their best against Strathmore which has fended off all challengers so far, 17 points the closest a side has gotten come full time.
Nick O'Brien has returned to the club with the Mores premiership player slotting in with ease, 38 and 31 disposals in each of his first two games.
While there is experience in spades among O'Brien and the rest of the Mores team, young gun Alex Tonelli will start to get more attention having kicked 17 goals from six games, multiples in every game so far.
Can the Sharks bring the challenge to Mores for four quarters?
Aberfeldie will look to bounce back when it heads to Nipper Jordan Oval to take on Essendon Doutta Stars.
It was a one-point loss for Abers last time out, while Douttas have won three in a row.
Douttas currently sits in fifth spot and could jump Abers with a win here, while a win for Abers will maintain their separation inside the five.
It has been a defensive masterclass from Essendon Doutta Stars in the three wins, restricting Keilor, Hillside, and Deer Park to 50 points or less.
Brothers Mitch and Deacon Kalpakis have been key defensively averaging 16 intercepts combined each game this season, along with Dylan Laurie who is among the best rebounders in the competition.
Sam Medland (18 goals) and Will Brkic (16 goals) pose different threats as Aberfeldie's two leading goal scorers, the small to medium forwards capable in the air, but dangerous at ground level.
Personnel for both sides will be an interesting watch come team selection, but it should be a belter nonetheless.
Pascoe Vale and Deer Park will close out the round at Raeburn Reserve.
The Lions have struggled for consistency on-field and with personnel, currently sitting seventh with two wins.
The Panthers sit second with competitive losses only to Keilor and Strathmore.
Pascoe Vale most recently put Maribyrnong Park to the sword with a 56-point win, Aaron Hilton and Paul Ahern dominating that one.
Deer Park will be sweating on the return of Paul Tsapatolis with the most experienced and dominant ruck duo in local footy in Matt Dennis and Todd Goldstein to contend with.
The pair combine for over 60 hit outs and 12 clearances per game and will be hard to contain for anyone, let alone with no hardened ruck.
While depth has been an issue, there is star power for Deer Park with Trent McKenzie enjoying a strong season, and Nick Ebinger (18 goals) and Jackson Barling (16 goals) hitting the scoreboard.
The goalkicking pair missed last week and will be a watch come team selection.
By John Price
Oak Park and Moonee Valley will kick off Round 7 of Community Bank Strathmore Division One in a big day set for JP Fawkner Reserve for Darcy's Round.
It should be a cracking contest on-field, though, with the Kangaroos sitting second and the Fog sitting fourth.
Oak Park dismantled Avondale Heights in its last contest, picking up wins against West Coburg (first) and Craigieburn (third) this season.
Moonee Valley went down by one-point to West Coburg last week, its lowest score this season in an impressive 14.9 (93) performance.
Mitch Clarke (24 goals) and Richard Potter (14 goals) have spearheaded the Fog's offensive potency, but there's also been an impressive spread of contributors around the ground.
Nathan Williams (23 disposals, eight score involvements) and Haidyn Shade (26 disposals, eight score involvements) have been brilliant inclusions this season, while Callum Clinnick has gone to another level.
The ruck battle will be an interesting watch with Bevan Newell teaming up with Quinn McArthur in recent weeks.
Josh Hotchkin will await the pair who leads the league in hit outs per game.
The Kangaroos have let in just nine goals or less in four games this year, and they'll be hoping for more defensive prowess against the Fog.
An interesting contest awaits Canning Reserve with Avondale Heights playing host to West Coburg.
The Heights have been up and down this season and are currently a game out of the five, while the Burgers sit on top.
It's been two losses in a row for Avondale Heights to Craigieburn and Oak Park, last week a 66-point loss to the Kangaroos.
West Coburg won a nailbiter over Moonee Valley to make it four wins in a row.
The Burgers are the second best attacking side in the competition with Jesse Martini (13 goals) and Ibby Taha (10 goals) leading the scoring.
The two, among others, will keep Avondale Heights defenders on their toes having conceded 17 goals or more in the three losses.
Avondale Heights will use its contest and pressure to ensure its defenders aren't overwhelmed.
The Heights are first in clearances, tackles, and second in contested possessions, Blake Cochrane, Declan Joyce-Lawford, and Brad Robb three that will look to fire on Saturday.
Craigieburn will look to consolidate its spot in the top three when it plays East Keilor at DS Aitken Reserve.
The Eagles are fresh off an incredible comeback win, while East Keilor played its best game in a long time last week.
For the Cougars, Paris Grampsas and Cooper Matthews kicked three each, while Riley Caines (20 disposals, seven tackles, seven clearances) and Jackson Griffiths (28 disposals, six clearances) lifted in the engine room.
Craigieburn, meanwhile, will focus on its own play that has succeeded so far this season.
Hayden Polley the star of last week, one of many for the Cougars to look out for.
It'll be a battle of the navy blue and red at Leo Dineen Reserve as Tullamarine hosts St Albans.
Tullamarine has gotten the job done in its last two games, while St Albans has suffered two heavy defeats.
A win for Tulla will maintain their separation in the top five, while St Albans will want to keep in touch of finals with a win here.
Tullamarine is the stingiest side in the competition, Joquin Bugeja a key Demon with six intercepts and four rebounds per game.
Sal Melilli has gone to another level this season, while returning Jake Long and recruits Lucas Scerri and Zak Wunhym comprise a formidable engine room.
Jake Galea has done the heavy lifting for St Albans and will need more to step up if the Saints are a chance.
Mason Dipetta has been a big out in recent weeks as well as Josh Klaromenos and Patrick Brookes, so selection may be an interesting watch.
Rupertswood will return to Salesian College to host Taylors Lakes in an intriguing contest.
The Sharks broke through last week for their first win this season, a 58-point triumph stamping their re-entry to Division One.
The Lions are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Craigieburn, after losing a six-goal final-quarter lead.
Despite the results, both sides put up performances we'd come to expect of them this season.
Ned Crotty starred for Rupo last week with Fraser Phelan-Smith (six goals) and Mitch Johnson (five goals) huge contributors in front of goal.
For Taylors Lakes, Lachlan Rayner returned with a monstrous 20 clearances.
He's a tough task for any ruck, but Rupo was without primary ruck Daniel Kavanagh last week so his return is one to look out for.
There are a number of hopeful returns for both sides which makes team selection fascinating for this contest.
By Leroy de Villiers
Round 7 of Community Bank Strathmore Division Two will kick off at Tenterfield Drive as Burnside Heights takes on Keilor Park.
The Bears remain winless in 2026, while the Devils have won just the two games so far.
Both teams have struggled to score this season, the Bears have managed 37 more point than the Devils, however.
Bears duo Lachie Evans and Anthony Petrarca will go head to head with Sam Pontin and Jai Bahnert serving as a fascinating matchup.
It's a good chance for both sides to pick up points, who can make the most of their chances and secure the win?
Local rivals Northern Saints and Hadfield will battle it out at Charles Mutton Reserve in what's always an interesting encounter.
The Saints have been competitive but have just one win to their name, while the Hawks currently sit fourth with two wins in a row.
A big driver in Hadfield's wins has been Sam Godden, with 50 and 54 disposals in each of the last two games.
Jake Polizzi also dominated last week with 52 disposals, so the Saints will need to be mindful of them as they're damaging with ball in hand.
For the Saints, Nick Bruno will attract a lot of attention as the equal leading goal scorer in the competition, while Ezzat Haddara and Hisham Kerbatieh are two strong additions for Hadfield to contend with.
Can the Saints start to build or will Hadfield continue its winning ways?
The undefeated Coburg Districts will take on Sunbury Kangaroos at Sewell Reserve, as the finishing touches are applied at Cole Reserve.
It's been a dominant start to 2026 for Coburg Districts sitting a game clear on top.
The Kangaroos are in the logjam sitting on three wins, but have a notably worse percentage than the three sides they share points with.
Coburg Districts simply have an arsenal at its disposal with Curtis Rawlings (24 goals), Pasquale Curcio (15 goals), Ali Saad (15 goals), and Darcy Reid (12 goals) among the 12 best forwards in the competition at the moment.
The reigning leading goal kicker Jack McNamara is still to come back into this side which is a scary prospect for opposition defenders.
The Kangaroos have fluctuated both offensively and defensively this season, but they'll need to be at their best for both this week.
A top-three battle will take place at Lakeside Reserve as Roxburgh Park hosts Glenroy.
Both sides bounced back after Round 5 losses, Roxy scraping over the line against Keilor Park, and Glenroy powering home over Sunbury Kangaroos.
Roxburgh Park has been the best defensive side in the competition, while Glenroy is a clear second for points scored.
Which side will get on top with their respective strengths?
Travis Cooke has been a big factor defensively for Roxy averaging 10 intercepts and 23 disposals a game, generating a lot of attack with his speed and ball use.
Up the other end, Julian Hemala is coming off his best game for the year in a similar role, with 44 disposals and 20 intercepts.
Glenroy has a lot of weapons in its forward line, but Nick Maric has been huge since his inclusion with 31 disposals and nine score involvements per game.
There are some potential inclusions for Glenroy that could create headaches, but Nick Maric should garner some attention from Ross Terranova and the Magpies.
Westmeadows and East Sunbury close out Round 7 at Willowbrook Reserve.
The Tigers responded with a strong win over Northern Saints last time out, while East Sunbury's three-game winning streak was snapped in its loss to Coburg Districts.
Adrian Alfonsi announced his arrival in the EDFL with a bag of nine majors, while Jordan Kosteas was dominant with 41 disposals and 1o clearances.
The Tigers have been depleted but still have plenty of firepower, the two mentioned above indicative of that.
East Sunbury has been led by experienced players this season in Todd Elton (22 goals), ruck Rusi Komaitai, Wade Lees, Robbie Gray, James Strauss, and more.
The Thunder have impressed this season and this poses as another chance of a scalp this weekend if they can put it all together.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
GREENVALE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
KEILOR v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
STRATHMORE v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
PASCOE VALE v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
OAK PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
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Saturday 1:45pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
TULLAMARINE v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
NORTHERN SAINTS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
