By Evan Tudor
The halfway mark of this Airport Toyota Women’s Premier Division regular season is here, and it’s a must-watch top-of-the-table-clash between Aberfeldie and Caroline Springs that’ll get things underway at Aberfeldie Park.
In what is shaping up as an early finals preview, both sides will be eager to get the win in this one and put the rest of the competition on notice.
Both the Two Blues and Lakers got over the Lions in their most recent hit outs, with Abers getting the job done by 58 points two weeks ago, while it was an 80-point success for Caroline Springs last Saturday.
And with key talents stretching from full forward to full back, Saturday’s contest is set to be a thriller.
With one of the best lists in the league, Aberfeldie will be bringing it all on Saturday.
Jess Duffin, Mo Hope, Olivia Madden, and Amelia Wright have all proven to be some of Aberfeldie’s key consistent standouts and will look to continue such form into the second half of the season.
But will Caroline Springs’ dream start to EDFL top-flight tenancy continue?
With seven matches of Premier Division under its belt, it is important for Caroline Springs to continues its consistent form if it wants to be one of the firm contenders come August.
Now leading the pack of all-time goal kickers in the black, gold, blue, and white, Jacinta Kondis will get an opportunity to go up against Abers’ Emily Smith. Both of whom kicked five goals in their last match.
The Lakers have demonstrated an ability to play a physical and gruelling brand of footy, and the question now is, how will Aberfeldie respond?
With only percentage separating these sides on the ladder, this weekend’s encounter gives either side a great chance to strengthen its hold on top spot.
Fourth and fifth will battle at Nipper Jordan Oval as Oak Park and Essendon Doutta Stars face off in what is an intriguing clash.
With the Kangas looking to extend their winning streak and the Stars hoping to sing the song after defeat last weekend, Saturday’s encounter is shaping up to be crucial in the construction of this year’s top four.
Oak Park proved too good in last Saturday's 50-point run-over against the Fog, with the Kangas holding the black and white goalless all game.
Ellie Huggard shone underneath the Saturday night lights and now leads the blue and white stripes in best-on-ground appearances.
Tayah Kelly has struck goal for four straight weeks and will look to make it five.
The Kangaroos could walk away with the four points, but a hungry Stars outfit won’t make it an easy task.
Douttas were well and truly in last Friday’s contest up until three quarter time, trailing by less than 10 points for a majority of the match.
The Stars just fell short but were strong in defeat.
Mia Tully was unusually quiet in front of the big sticks and couldn’t put a major through for the first time this season.
She’ll look to make amends for the tough day at the office and add some goals to her club-leading tally of 13.
Casee Gazelle, Ada Pizzinga, and Isabelle Porter have been an impactful bunch at Nipper Jordan Oval, all being named some of the Stars’ best on various occasions.
Will it be back to winning ways for Essendon Doutta Stars or will Oak Park extend its streak to a fourth consecutive win?
Moonee Valley will look to make amends for last weekend’s outing as it takes to the field against the new-look Hillside at Ormond Park.
After scoring a season-best 19 goals against Keilor two weeks back, Moonee Valley was unable to put a major on the board in last weekend’s clash with Oak Park on the road.
The Fog have struggled to turn scores into wins for a lot of the season, with a 2-4 record placing the black and white outfit sixth on the table.
Kate Maxwell has been named one of Moonee Valley's best in four out of the five games she’s featured in and could have a serious impact in this game if she makes it past selection tomorrow.
Hillside will look for a second straight win after it sung the song for the first time since Round 1, with the Sharks back under the leadership of Blaise Ferraro.
Saturday’s contest will mark the Sharks’ third game under the rein of last year’s premiership coach, with Hillside back to playing its premiership-defence best.
The Sharks booted 15.7 (97) at home last week with seven goal-scorers paving the way for the victory.
Caitlin Sargent stood ahead of the pack with five goals adding to her season tally of 12.
She joined VFLW star Nyakoat Dojiok who scored four, with the two-time premiership player set to make a big difference on the playing field for Hillside, depending on commitments with North Melbourne-Werribee.
Will Moonee Valley pick up its third win of the season, or will the Sharks enter the second half of the year as a new and improved side?
Round 8 closes at Walsh Oval with a clash between Maribyrnong Park and Strathmore.
Strathmore was able to overcome a fast and physical Essendon Doutta Stars last Friday, taking the win by 26 points.
The Lions were no match for Caroline Springs in their afternoon in enemy territory, with the Lions looking for improvement as they return home this weekend.
Tegan Matthews has proven to be a major ball winner at Walsh Oval with fast, slick, and precise ball movement down field setting Marby up for inside 50 opportunities.
Zoe Dullard, Ava Steel, and Saskia Williams have also stood out for Lions across 2026 so far.
Strathmore has become one of Premier Division’s most exciting sides, and how the Lions challenge them on Saturday will be something to watch.
The Mores took control over a hungry Douttas last week but were made to work for the 26-point win.
Former star netballer Zoe Davies made her football debut in stunning fashion and is shaping up to be one to watch across the 2026 season.
Sarah McKinnon secured two goals for the gold and navy blue last weekend in an impressive performance across the ground.
Talia Motta and Milla Murphy have both been exciting players from Lebanon Reserve, with the pair combining for fast movement across the field and goals galore.
Captain Eloise Egglestone never fails to impress, with a league-leading seven best-on listings to her name.
Will the Mores’ talent be too good for Maribyrnong Park, or will the Lions be able to produce something special? Saturday’s encounter has all the answers.
By Jake Reeves & Michelle Dunstan
After a huge win away from home, Tullamarine is set to face Gisborne in a crucial clash at Leo Dineen Reserve in the opening game of Round 7.
The Demons' second-quarter blitz last weekend against the Sunbury Lions proved that when they are up and running, they can score quickly and pile on goals in the space of no time.
It just has not been the season the Bulldogs were after which was proven against the ladder leaders in Westmeadows who took the Bulldogs down by 75 points at Gardiner Reserve.
This is a game both sides need to win to give themselves a chance of staying in touch of the finals race.
It is a must to stop Amy O’Kelly who remarkably has received a best player in every single match so far this year and has held the fort up for Gisborne in an up and down season.
Charlotte Jackson and Tricia Devine have both had phenomenal campaigns for the Demons and look to be the two players who can take down the Bulldogs.
Roxburgh Park will be looking to get its season on track when it comes up against East Sunbury at Lakeside Reserve in the second of the two morning slot games this weekend.
Roxy has only found one win in the first six games of this season and will be looking to try and find their best form in the back half of the year.
For the Thunder, it has been an up and down year where consistency has been hard to capture.
But East Sunbury is still even on the ledger and still well and truly in the race for the finals.
Co-Captain Haylea Cooke has had a strong season for her Magpies and is one of Roxburgh Park’s most important players.
Anna-Maria Rice and Sophia Iosifidis have both been crucial this year for the Thunder, with it being a common trend seeing them with best player honours.
The action continues at Cole Reserve with Coburg Districts hosting Sunbury Lions.
Coburg Districts picked up its second win of the season last week with a 37-point triumph over Roxburgh Park and currently sit in ninth on the ladder.
Sunbury Lions lost its third game in a row last week and currently sit in eleventh on the ladder.
Zoe Manning and Sarah Docherty again starred for the Lions, while Mariam Khoder popped up for a career-high two goals.
With the like of Manning and Docherty continually showing up, further contributions like Khoder's will hold Districts in good stead moving forward.
Although the Lions have struggled this season, last week's effort against Tullamarine as their best score for the year, and they'll look to bring that scoring power into this clash against Coburg Districts.
Burnside Heights will look to keep it rolling when it plays Taylors Lakes at Lionheart Reserve.
The Bears have been on fire with five wins in a row, a 23-point win over Keilor Park their latest.
The Lions, on the other hand, continue to struggle after going down to Sunbury Kangaroos last week by 22 points.
Burnside Heights enter as heavy favourites, Nicole Santos the one to watch with six goals from their last two games.
A monster clash at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve will see Keilor Park host the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Devils have had a strong season to date and look to solidify their top four spot after a slip up last week against Burnside where the Devils fell short by 23 points away from home.
The Kangaroos also have looked promising throughout the 2026 campaign and are off a strong performance against the winless Taylors Lakes at home.
Lisa Kirby, Nicole Cameron, and Mia Briggs all had strong performances in last weekend’s win against the Lions and are all valuable assets for the Kangaroos heading into the Devils clash.
For Keilor Park, it has been an incredible start for prominent goal scorers Georgia O’Donovan and Caitlyn Crameri who both sit in the top four in the competition for goals and is a must to nullify on Saturday afternoon.
Westmeadows and Craigieburn will wrap up Round 7 with a twilight contest at Willowbrook Reserve.
It's a battle between first (Westmeadows) and third (Craigieburn) with the Tigers undefeated, and the Eagles with just one loss to their name.
The Tigers regularly find scoring avenues with Courteney Munn (22 goals) and Danielle Linton (10 goals) two of the three best scorers in the competition.
The Eagles will need to be at their best defensively to prevent a big score on Saturday.
Maddison Albrecht will look to lead the way for Craigieburn after returning to the side through the last two weeks.
Albrecht has been named the best player on both occasions with three goals to her name, one to watch for Gemma Wright and the Tigers.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v CAROLINE SPRINGS
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at Aberfeldie Park West
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
MARIBYRNONG PARK v STRATHMORE
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
ROXBURGH PARK v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 10:00am at Lakeside Reserve
TULLAMARINE v GISBORNE
Saturday 10:00am at Leo Dineen Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v SUNBURY LIONS
Saturday 11:50am at Cole Reserve
KEILOR PARK v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 11:50am at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 11:50am at Lionheart Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 4:50pm at Willowbrook Reserve
