By Evan Tudor
Friday night football returns to open Round 11 with an intriguing clash between Essendon Doutta Stars and Keilor at Nipper Jordan Oval.
With both sides entering this one following disheartening results, this match provides an opportunity for both the Stars and Blues to return to form and put a much-needed win on the board.
With a 4-5 record, Essendon Doutta Stars has been in and around the finals hunt for much of the season but will need to pick up as many wins as possible as the year rolls on.
After being held to just nine behinds, the Stars will be eager to hit the scoreboard in a major way under the Friday night lights and will hope spearheads Mia Tully and Ada Pizzinga can rise to the challenge.
While Keilor was held scoreless last weekend against Caroline Springs, the Blues gave it their all against such a tough opponent, even holding the Lakers goalless in the third quarter.
Olivia Castello and Laura Wright continue to be key contributors each week, with the pair named in six and seven best-on lists respectively.
The winless Keilor will be hoping for an improved performance after what has been a tough season so far, with goals in recent weeks showing the side’s potential.
In what was a hard-fought contest, the Stars took the win by 42 points when the sides last met in Round 2.
As part of the Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day, Friday’s action will be streamed live and free on Streamer.
Ladder leaders Aberfeldie will host finals aspirants Moonee Valley at Aberfeldie Park.
Both sides enter the contest with wins of contrasting styles behind them, with the Two Blues getting 50 points over the Lions while the Fog outshone the Stars by 11 points.
The Two Blues win was highlighted by the return of Emily Smith and Mo Hope, with the pair combining for five goals in the contest.
Aberfeldie holds top spot on the ladder thanks to a hefty percentage, but is closely followed by Caroline Springs and Strathmore, with a 7-2 record next to the three teams’ names.
The Two Blues will be wanting to get a game ahead of the competition as soon as possible, but to do so, they must keep winning.
Standing in their way is Moonee Valley, with the Fog looking for a courageous run towards a potential finals ticket.
The black and white will look to improve their 4-5 record as much as possible across the next five matches, but will need to give it their all in each outing.
The Fog’s journey continues against a side they will look to tackle with all their talents across the field.
Ball magnet Matilda Zander was stunning last weekend and is a fast transferer of the footy.
Charlotte D’Ambrosio and Nadia Valenti are strong in front of the sticks and will go head to head with the Two Blues’ intimidating Hope and Smith combo.
It was the Two Blues who were too good when these sides last met on Anzac Day, getting the job done by 58 points.
Third will play second as the race towards finals heats up, with Boeing Reserve set to host Saturday’s clash between Strathmore and Caroline Springs
In what will be a rematch of the Lakers’ inaugural top flight EDFL match, both sides will meet again, this time with 7-2 records.
It was the Lakers who took a seven-point win in Round 2’s meeting, and this weekend’s encounter is shaping up to be another nailbiter.
The Mores enter Saturday’s contest looking to extend their winning streak to five.
Last weekend saw the Mores’ best of the best shine in victory over the Sharks, with ones to watch in Eloise Egglestone, Talia Motta, and Milla Murphy, continuing their fine form.
Strathmore’s Premier Division endeavour has been nothing short of spectacular, but with only one win against a fellow top four side to its name, the Mores will be hoping to make the most of the opportunity that awaits on Saturday.
But Caroline Springs won’t be backing down without a fight.
The Lakers will look to show Strathmore that they aren’t an easy beat, and with goalkicking machines in Jacinta Kondis and Mira Diab to boast, the Lakers will look to use their famous quick ball movement, led by Taya Meiers, to overthrow the Mores.
It’s shaping up to be an evenly poised match that could have big ramifications on the journey towards August’s finals series.
The second grand final rematch of 2026 is here, with Oak Park looking for a sixth-straight win when it welcomes Hillside to JP Fawkner Reserve.
The Kangaroos’ impressive string of victories kicked off when the rivals last met in Round 4, with the Roos singing the song after a 28-point victory.
Oak Park has won its past five matches by an average of 34 points and has taken victories over Caroline Springs and Essendon Doutta Stars, two sides who have sights set on finals football.
We last saw the Roos in action when they jumped over Keilor, with some key standouts in Tayah Kelly (three goals), Sarah Dargan (two goals), Terira Fry, and Maggie Styles.
Those are just some of the big names that Hillside will be looking to clamp down on, and after a decent performance against Strathmore, the Sharks will be hoping for some midseason magic on Saturday.
A lot has changed in the Hillside camp since the sides’ Round 4 meeting.
Blaise Ferraro has returned to the head coaching role and will face off against the Roos for the first time since last year’s decider.
Captain Hannah Ibrahim has continued to be a key performer for the Sharks while goals are starting to flow through Emily Paterno and Caitlin Sargent.
And if selected after a strong topflight return last weekend, Makaylah Brne will certainly be another to watch.
While the sides may not be too close on the ladder, it certainly is shaping up to be one of the games of the round.
By Jake Reeves & Michelle Dunstan
A crucial clash kicks off Round 10 as Coburg Districts and the Sunbury Kangaroos battle it out at Cole Reserve in a morning slot.
It was vastly different stories for both sides last weekend with Districts comfortably beating the winless Taylors Lakes on the road, while the Kangaroos had to face the best team in the competition Westmeadows, going down by 89 points in a thumping loss at Eric Boardman Reserve.
Zoe Manning has had a stellar season for the Districts and looks to be the main player to kick the goals on Saturday morning, kicking three last week and 13 on the season.
Strong campaigns from Lisa Kirby and Nicole Knudsen will give the Kangaroos every chance to get the job done as the travelling side this weekend.
Keilor Park will host East Sunbury in the early game at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
The Devils enter this clash in third following three consecutive wins, with a win maintaining their security inside the top four.
The Thunder drew with the in-form Burnside Heights last week and currently sit seventh on the ladder.
It's the first time these sides have met this year so one thing the Thunder will be conscious about is the multi-pronged attack with many players stepping up in front of goal for the Devils.
While Georgia O'Donovan and Caitlyn Crameri have been two mainstays, Georgia Cassar and Kyiesha Taylor are two that provide fresh headaches for defenders.
East Sunbury's Sophia Iosifidis is one to watch for Keilor Park having been named in the best in six of eight games in 2026.
It'll be the Tigers against the Lions as Westmeadows heads to Clarke Oval to take on Sunbury Lions.
Westmeadows remains undefeated in 2026, while the Lions have won two games.
The Tigers have had many step up this year and will be the favourites to keep their undefeated streak alive.
Continuing the action at 11:50am is Craigieburn and Tullamarine squaring off at DS Aitken Reserve.
The Eagles find themselves one game clear inside the top four, while Tullamarine sit ninth with two wins for the year.
It's a game Craigieburn needs to win to ensure that buffer to Gisborne remains, while a loss for the Bulldogs to Burnside Heights could see the advantage widen.
These sides met in Round 1 with Craigieburn winning by 11 points.
Zali Poorter and Sienna Gioupas were among the best for the Eagles with Louise Portelli kicking two goals.
Marianna Shiba and Madeline Agius were strong for Tulla on the day.
Roxburgh Park is set to host Taylors Lakes at Lakeside Reserve.
Despite reading two wins and seven losses in the 2026 campaign, Roxy has shown some fight and spirit throughout the recent weeks, showing great development and growth throughout the season.
Taylors Lakes on the other hand are yet to get a win and are off the back of a 42-point defeat at the hands of the Coburg Districts, but will be desperate to make amends and get their first win for 2026.
Courtney McCormack and Rebecca Foggie have had phenomenal personal campaigns, racking up best players for fun over the first nine rounds for the Lions.
Haylea Cooke is also having an awesome season for Roxy and been one of the reasons that Roxy have been competitive in games throughout the season.
An intriguing clash at Tenterfield Drive closes out the round with Burnside Heights hosting Gisborne.
The Bears remain in second place but Keilor Park and Craigieburn are hot on their heels following last week's draw with East Sunbury.
The Bulldogs sit in fifth spot one game behind the sides above them.
They'll be relying on results to go their way should they win, but a scalp here could be the point of difference they need.
The last time these sides met was in July 2023 with the Bears winning by 78 points, Kiara Asani-Davis and Amanda Crooks shining for their respective sides.
Can the Bears stay in prime position for the double chance, or will the Bulldogs keep the pressure on the finals race?
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v KEILOR
🎥 Streamer
Friday 7:30pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
HILLSIDE v STRATHMORE
Saturday 1:50pm at Aberfeldie Park West
STRATHMORE v CAROLINE SPRINGS
Saturday 1:50pm at Boeing Reserve
OAK PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
KEILOR PARK v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 10:00am at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 10:00am at Clarke Oval
CRAIGIEBURN v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 11:50am at DS Aitken Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v GISBORNE
Saturday 11:50am at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Lakeside Reserve
