By Luke Mathews
Essendon Doutta Stars will be hoping to climb up the ladder when it meets with Greenvale at Section Road.
After stumbling out of the blocks, the Stars recovered strongly with four wins in a row, however did suffer a minor setback just before the break with a loss to Pascoe Vale.
Greenvale had a similar start to 2026, however it hasn’t rebounded like Douttas with the side still searching for its second win for the year.
A win for the Jets could see them climb out oflast spot on the ladder, but another loss on Saturday could potentially see them two games behind ninth and in serious danger of relegation.
These two teams last met back in Round 14 last year with the Stars holding the Jets to just two goals for the match and won by 76 points.
If available for selection, one for Greenvale to try and stop is Michael Kiraly.
The midfielder was everywhere against Pascoe Vale, collecting 28 disposals and seven marks despite playing in the losing side.
Greenvale’s midfield ranks ninth for contested possessions and clearances and will need to see plenty of improvement this week if they are any chance of stopping Doutta's ball magnet.
Pascoe Vale will be hoping to close the gap on top spot when it takes on Airport West at Hansen Reserve.
Daniel Harris’ side is currently firming as the number two seed in the competition with the Panthers currently in second spot, however are three games behind Strathmore.
After winning their Round 1 clash against Douttas, the Eagles have won just the one match since against Greenvale in Round 7.
While they are in eighth spot, the Eagles are still in touching distance of the relegation zone with the side only one game above Greenvale.
When these two teams last met back in Round 17 last year, Airport West moved one step closer to a finals appearance after recording a comfortable 33-point victory.
One to watch closely at Hansen Reserve this Saturday is Todd Goldstein.
In his first season out of the AFL, the 37-year-old is quietly putting together an impressive season averaging 18 disposals, eight score involvements, and 35 hit outs a game.
The ruck’s powerful presence was on display against Douttas with the left footer finishing with 30 disposals and three goals.
Isaac Cullen has been fantastic in the ruck for Airport West, however he will certainly have his work cut out for him this Saturday.
Maribyrnong Park will be looking to break a four-game losing streak when it takes on Hillside at Monk Oval.
After a stunning start to 2026 which include four wins in a row, the Lions quickly found out where they stood after four losses to Aberfeldie, Pascoe Vale, Keilor, and Strathmore.
Despite going down last week, it looked like Brodie Holland’s men did turn the corner after giving Strathmore their toughest challenge yet, however ultimately fell short by 13 points.
It’s also been a season of highs and lows for Hillside with the side recording stirring wins over Aberfeldie and Airport West, however have suffered heavy defeats to Keilor and Strathmore.
A win for Hillside would go a long way in ensuring their safety in Premier Division, however another thumping loss could drop them down to last.
One man that will be hoping to continue his strong 2026 season is Rory Atkins.
The 31-year-old has been a handy inclusion averaging 28 disposals and 12 contested possessions a game.
The midfielder was everywhere against Strathmore finishing with 38 disposals and eight marks and almost willed his side over the line.
If Hillside is any chance of winning, its young on-ball brigade will need to be at its best in order to stop Marby’s main man.
Keilor will be hoping to move two games clear inside the top five when it takes on Deer Park at Joe Brown Oval.
After suffering three defeats from their first four matches, the Blues have recovered nicely with four wins in a row and are currently in third spot on the ladder.
A win on Saturday could see them climb above Pascoe Vale on the ladder, however a loss would mean they are still equal on points with Aberfeldie.
Deer Park has had a difficult start to 2026 with one win from its first four, however looked to have turned the corner after a strong victory over Airport West.
A win on Saturday would keep them in the finals hunt, however another defeat would mean the Lions are two games and percentage out of the top five.
One question for Mick McGuane will be how does he negate the impact of Anthony Anastasio.
The prized off-season recruit has had a big start to 2026 averaging 25 disposals and four inside 50s.
The midfielder has been so impactful across the start of 2026 that Strathmore opted to send Ryan Maddox to him to quell his influence.
Keilor has plenty of midfield weapons so it will be fascinating to see how much time they put into Deer Park’s main ball winner.
By Eric Forman
Craigieburn will be looking to remain in double chance territory when it hosts St Albans at DS Aitken Reserve.
The Eagles sit outside the top three on percentage and enter this one off a comprehensive defeat to ladder leaders West Coburg.
St Albans, meanwhile, sit in ninth spot with four heavy defeats the formline for the Saints.
Defence has been an issue in that stretch for the Saints with an average of over 43 scoring shots conceded per game.
They'll need to lift in that area against a Craigieburn side that has put some big scores on the board this year.
Hayden Polley has dined out in front of goal over the last month, while Brodie White has hit the scoreboard in five of the seven games he's played this year, two to watch for St Albans.
An interesting contest looms at Lionheart Reserve with Taylors Lakes taking on Oak Park.
The Lions will be hoping to kickstart the second half of their season with a statement win, with just the two wins to their name this season.
The Kangaroos sit in third on percentage and would be hoping to maintain their spot in double chance territory.
Taylors Lakes has enjoyed an improved past three games despite picking up the one win, with the Lions squandering handy leads on two occasions.
A catalyst for that improvement was Lachlan Rayner whose ruck dominance has seen him among the top performers in the league.
The selection of Josh Hotchkin will be an interesting watch with the ruck missing Oak Park's last game.
Can the Lions kickstart their season, or will the Kangaroos keep on rolling?
Avondale Heights will hoping to stay in touch of the finals race when it travels to Ormond Park to play Moonee Valley.
The Heights sit in sixth spot, while the Valley sit in second.
A loss could see the Heights sit two games out of the five depending on whether Tullamarine defeats Rupertswood.
Although a loss certainly wouldn't rule out the Heights, coach Andrew Kahofer would be hoping for an improved outing against a finals contender.
The Heights have lost three games between 59 and 66 points to Tullamarine, Oak Park, and West Coburg, with their other outing against a current top five side a 26-point loss to Craigieburn.
Nathan Foster has been a barometer for the Heights this year.
He missed a win and a loss to start the year, but has played in three wins from five games and kicked four, seven, and three goals in each of those games.
Foster was held to just one goal in each of the two losses, so if he can't get off the chain again, more will need to step up as the Heights managed just nine goals total in each of those games.
Moonee Valley won't make it easy, however, with the Fog coming off wins against Tullamarine and Oak Park, and a one-point loss to West Coburg.
Mitch Clarke (27 goals) and Richard Potter (22 goals) will be the ones to stop up the other end for Heights defenders.
Rupertswood returns to Salesian College with hopes of a strong second half of the season when it hosts Tullamarine.
The Sharks have won two of their last three and sit in eighth, while Tullamarine is fifth with five wins for the year.
The three losses for the Demons have been against Moonee Valley, West Coburg, and Craigieburn, so this is one they'd want to put away to continue their push for a finals return.
They've enjoyed a spread of contributors with Nick Owens, Lucas Scerri, and Joquin Bugeja among the standouts.
Clayton Bonello and Joel Flanigan recently returned to senior action, while Ned Crotty, Fraser Phelan-Smith, and Mitch Johnson have enjoyed good stretches of footy.
Will Tullamarine maintain its separation in the five, or will Rupo find a catalyst for the second half of their season?
First and last on the ladder will meet as West Coburg plays East Keilor at Tenterfield Drive.
The Burgers have dropped just the one game this year, while the Cougars are still searching for a first win.
While East Keilor has showed signs of large improvement in two of its last three games, the Burgers will enter as heavy favourites.
The last time these sides met was almost five years ago when East Keilor won by seven points, Ibby Taha among the best for the Burgers on the day.
By Leroy de Villiers
Action will return to Cole Reserve Oval 1 when Coburg Districts hosts Roxburgh Park.
The Lions enter this clash undefeated and ready to enjoy their renovated deck, while the Magpies sit in fourth on percentage.
Much has been made of the firepower up front for Coburg Districts, but its last game out was its lowest scoring of the year showing its first signs of mortality.
It was the first game without a player kicking multiple goals, but the Lions still got the job done.
Roxburgh Park will want to maintain its spot in the top four after dropping its last two games.
It was a 28-point loss to East Sunbury last time out with the Magpies unable to stem the flow of goals to close out the contest.
Team selection will be an important watch for the Magpies with some defenders on the sidelines coach Ross Terranova would like back in against the likes of Curtis Rawlings, Darcy Reid, and Ali Saad.
Sunbury Kangaroos will welcome Westmeadows to Eric Boardman Reserve for Round 9 action.
The Kangaroos are just on the outside looking in to the finalas race, one game behind Westmeadows which sits in the logjam for the fourth spot.
The Tigers have responded well after a Round 5 smashing at the hands of Hadfield, two wins and a narrow loss to Coburg Districts the record since.
Adrian Alfonsi has been the man for Westy kicking 15 goals in the last three games.
It's been an indifferent year for the Kangaroos with just one win from their last six games, but they still remain firmly in the finals hunt.
Ruck Jakeb Coles has been among their best the last three weeks, as has Ryan Pretty (nine goals).
Can the Kangaroos thrust themselves into the logjam, or will Westy continue their resurgence?
Northern Saints will head to John McMahon Recreation Reserve to take on East Sunbury.
The Thunder sit in sixth spot in the logjam for a finals place, while Northern Saints are in last with one win for the year.
It was a 28-point win for the Thunder over Roxburgh Park last time out, Todd Elton and Robbie Gray combining for 11 goals.
The Saints have comfortably conceded the most points in the competition and will need to plug the leaks in their defence if they're a chance to stop the ex-AFL pair.
Defence has to be the big focus as the Saints have been able to get decent scores on the board, Nick Bruno (27 goals) a key factor.
Can the Saints bounce back or will the Thunder keep on rolling?
Hadfield is looking to make it five wins in a row when it travels to take on Keilor Park.
The Hawks have been on fire and currently sit a game clear in third, wins against Westmeadows, Burnside Heights, Northern Saints, and Sunbury Kangaroos among the streak.
The last win for Keilor Park came in Round 4 as the Devils sit in ninth with two wins for the year.
Although Keilor Park has only conceded the fourth-most points this year, it is last for points scored.
Hadfield has eclipsed 90 points score in its last four games, so the Devils will need to be on if they're to snag a victory.
Glenroy will host Burnside Heights to close out Round 9 action at Sewell Reserve.
The Bears have won two on the trot to sit in eighth, while Glenroy has won its last three to sit in second.
Lachlan Evans, Anthony Petrarca, Ethan Dalla Rosa, and Cade Anset have been key in the two victories, and will look to continue their impressive form.
The Roys will go in as favourites, though, with starpower on every line.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
GREENVALE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
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Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
KEILOR v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:45pm at Joe Brown Oval
CRAIGIEBURN v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
RUPERTSWOOD v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
WEST COBURG v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
GLENROY v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
KEILOR PARK v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
