By Luke Mathews
Essendon Doutta Stars and Aberfeldie are set to lock horns at Nipper Jordan Oval in what looms as a season defining clash for both sides.
The two sides are currently level on points and are battling it out for the final two finals spots.
A win for either side would nearly guarantee them a finals berth, while a loss would leave them vulnerable.
Last weekend Abers bounced back with a comfortable 55-point victory over Hillside, while Douttas went down to Deer Park by 30 points.
When these two teams last met, Douttas stunned Aberfeldie, winning by 26 points with Oscar Sasalu kicking three goals.
Despite Abers currently sitting at 8-7 for the season, Leigh Tudor's side have a 6-1 record at Clifton Park with their only loss coming against Keilor in Round 13.
For Douttas to come away with another victory over Abers, it’ll need to stop the Williamson's.
The duo were unstoppable last Saturday, combining for 55 disposals and 14 inside 50s against Hillside.
Doutta's midfield was beaten last weekend at John McLeod Reserve and will need a much better performance this weekend if it is any chance of toppling Abers again.
Airport West will meet with Greenvale at Hansen Reserve in a relegation battle for both teams.
The two sides currently occupy the last two spots on the ladder and are only separated by five per cent.
While a loss for either side doesn’t mean its season is over, it would make continuing on in Premier Division difficult with a tough final fortnight to come for both teams.
These two sides last met back in Round 7 with Airport West coming away with a 37-point victory.
While neither side has notched up a win since Round 10, Greenvale’s form has been stronger in recent weeks with decent performances against Keilor and Deer Park.
One man that can potentially save Airport West’s season is Matthew Hanson.
The onballer has had another prolific season, averaging 26 disposals and nine clearances and is the fourth highest rated player across the competition (minimum 10 games played).
Greenvale’s midfield was well beaten by the Eagles earlier in the year and will need to rectify this if they want to stop Airport West’s main man.
Strathmore will be hoping to move one step closer to claiming the minor premiership when it takes on Hillside at Lebanon Reserve.
The Mores remain a game and percentage clear on top of the ladder and are firming for another tilt at a premiership with only three weeks left of the home and away season.
After a successful first season of Premier Division football, Hillside now sit in eighth spot and is two games clear of ninth.
When these two teams last met, Strathmore cruised to a comfortable 95-point victory with Liam Cavanagh leading the way with 41 disposals and 15 marks.
One to watch this Saturday is Alex Tonelli if available.
The 19-year-old has been a revelation this year, kicking 47 goals in 12 games to sit second in the leading goal kickers tally.
When these two sides met earlier in the year, Hillside’s backline had no answer for the youngster, with the full forward booting 11 goals.
While there might be little to play in terms of ladder position, Saturday’s match will be a great test to see how far Hillside has come this year.
Deer Park will be hoping to keep its finals hopes alive when it takes on Pascoe Vale at John McLeod Reserve.
After looking dead and buried three weeks ago after its loss to Hillside, the Lions have breathed life into its season after consecutive wins over Greenvale at Douttas.
While it may seem unlikely, the Lions sit a game and percentage out of the top five and will likely need to win all their remaining games to remain a chance of playing finals.
Pascoe Vale has all but locked in the double chance with the Panthers now sitting two games and percentage clear of Aberfeldie with three games left.
When these two teams last met, the Panthers came away with a 47-point victory with Moudy Taha collecting 36 disposals and five clearances.
For Pascoe Vale to win, it’ll have to find an answer for Trent McKenzie.
The defender has had a stellar year, averaging 28 disposals and seven intercepts per game.
The left footer was unstoppable last week in the win over Douttas, amassing 43 disposals and nine marks in the five-goal win.
The Panthers have one of the most potent forward lines in the competition, however they’ll need to find a way of stopping Deer Park’s main man.
Maribyrnong Park will be a chance to move back inside the top five when it squares off with Keilor at Monk Oval.
After a strong showing against Aberfeldie two weeks ago, the Lions were disappointing against Pascoe Vale and went down by 66 points.
Despite failing another test against a high-quality side, the Lions still sit in sixth and are equal on points with Douttas and Abers and are still a genuine chance of playing finals.
Keilor remain the in-form team of the competition with its undefeated streak stretching to 11 matches after its win over Greenvale.
The Blues are still a chance of taking out the minor premiership, however time is running out with Mick McGuane’s side still a game and percentage behind Strathmore.
When these two teams last met, Keilor came away with a 32-point victory with Josh Honey kicking seven goals.
One to keep an eye out for this weekend is Nick O’Kearney.
The midfielder is hitting form just at the right time of year, collecting 44 disposals and 13 marks against Greenvale.
The-29-year-old dominated last time out against Marby, picking up 35 disposals and seven intercepts.
Marby’s midfield was smashed by Pascoe Vale last week and will need to turn things around if it wants to stop Keilor’s ball magnet.
By Noah Wallwork
Avondale Heights takes on Moonee Valley at Canning Reserve.
The game will be pivotal in where the Valley finishes inside the top five.
Currently they sit on 52 points alongside the other three sides, and will be hoping for a top three finish at minimum.
The Valley are currently on a four-game winning streak, their last loss in Round 12 against Craigieburn.
The last time these two teams played against each other was in Round 9, with the Valley winning by 31 points.
It was Luke Denny and Lachlan Grant who led the way for the victors. Both had 25 disposals, however it was Denny who had nine intercept possessions alongside six tackles.
For Avondale, it was Bradley Robb who had 35 disposals with 11 clearances in the midfield. Defender Bailey Williamson tried hard with 28 disposals, but more support will be needed in the midfield for any chance of an upset.
Oak Park will take on Taylors Lakes at JP Fawkner Reserve, with the Kangaroos currently sitting in second position.
With a percentage of 168, Oak Park comfortably sit above Moonee Valley with 151 per cent and Craigieburn with 141 per cent.
A win against the seventh placed Taylors Lakes would go a long way to securing the double chance.
The last time these two teams played was in Round 9 where the Kangaroos demolished the Lions by 138 points at Lionheart Reserve.
Kane O’Halloran starred in the forward 50 kicking a bag of eight goals, sitting on 50 goals for the season.
Max Gleeson dominated in defence as well, collecting 29 disposals with his run and dare.
For the opposition, the familiar name of Lachlan Rayner battled hard in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 10 clearances. He is currently averaging 13 clearances a game and will be pivotal to any chance of an upset.
Can the Lions provide an upset and take their revenge?
St Albans faces Craigieburn at Kings Park Reserve, where the fourth placed Eagles will hope to move inside the top three.
They currently sit with the lowest percentage of 141 per cent, however will be full of confidence after just smashing East Keilor by 122 points and also Taylors Lakes by 151 points.
St Albans currently sit eighth, with its last win in Round 11.
They last played against each other in Round 9, where the Eagles ran away with a 19-point win.
Brodie White dominated in the middle with 29 disposals and five clearances, alongside defender Jai Robinson who continuously provided rebound from the back 50 with 35 disposals.
St Albans duo Josh Klaromenos and Zach McCasker battled hard in the midfield, with 33 and 24 disposals each.
McCasker in particular took control with 10 clearances.
Klaromenos is currently averaging 28 disposals and seven intercept possessions.
Can the Eagles win big and push up?
Tullamarine takes on Rupertswood at Leo Dineen Reserve with both teams eager to finish the season strongly.
The Demons currently sit in fifth on the ladder after just coming off a 83-point win against St Albans.
They are on a four-game win streak with their last loss to Oak Park in Round 12 by two points.
Rupertswood sits ninth with only three wins to its name, its last win in Round 13 was a three-point win over Avondale Heights.
It was Round 9 when these two sides last met, with Tullamarine controlling Rupertswood in a 53-point win.
Defender Joquin Bugeja wreaked havoc with 40 disposals and nullified any opposition threats.
Zak Wunhym took control of the midfield contest with 37 disposals and 12 clearances.
Lucas Scerri complemented him with 10 clearances alongside his 24 disposals.
Jackson Cardillo continued his good form with 33 disposals and 10 clearances for Rupertswood.
He will need further support if Rupertswood has any chance of an upset.
The winless East Keilor takes on the first placed West Coburg at Overland Reserve to close out the round.
West Coburg is coming off a 94-point victory over Avondale Heights, but has suffered recent losses to Moonee Valley and Oak Park.
The Burgers will be hoping to build some momentum for their run into finals.
The Cougars have continued their poor form for the season. Their last two defeats to Craigieburn and Oak Park have both exceeded the 100-point deficit.
These two sides last played in Round 9, with West Coburg dismantling the Cougars by 142 points.
West Coburg controlled possession in the game, being up +132 in possessions and +23 in clearances. Muhammad Saad and Tom Baravi both had 10 clearances and led the way in the midfield.
Cougars duo Zac Dicianni and Adam Tsardakis attempted to stop the bleeding in the midfield, however the dominance of West Coburg’s on-ball brigade was too damaging.
By Jake Reeves & Eric Forman
Northern Saints is set to host Burnside Heights at Charles Mutton Reserve.
It has been a tough season for the Saints who are looking to finish the season on a high and avoid the wooden spoon.
The same could be said about Burnside Heights, which sits on four wins and 12 losses but have been more competitive than the Saints more generally.
Burnside Heights proved to be too good in these side's last meeting at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve and won by 26 points.
Mohammed Haddara stood up on what was a difficult afternoon for the Saints last weekend and dominated the ruck battle, having double the amount of hit outs to advantage (18-9).
Anthony Petrarca was brilliant defensively against Keilor Park last week and had 16 tackles and led the way for the Bears to get the job done.
A huge contest awaits Eric Boardman Reserve with Sunbury Kangaroos hosting Hadfield.
The Kangaroos are a game and percentage out of the four and will need to win this week if they're any chance.
A win for Hadfield will confirm finals, although a loss will be less damaging with Keilor Park to follow.
It was a thrilling contest when these sides last met in Round 8 with the Hawks coming away with a six-point win.
Jake Polizzi and Sam Godden were at their usual ball-winning best and will again be the primary movers for Hadfield.
Josh Trembearth continues to provide headaches for the opposition as well, 34 disposals and five goals his most recent outing.
For the Kangaroos, they'll be hoping to gain better control of the footy this time out, while Rhys Magin will provide a point of difference in the forward half.
Can the Kangaroos keep their season alive, or will the Hawks as good as lock in finals action?
Glenroy will travel to Keilor Park Recreation Reserve to face Keilor Park.
The Roys are sitting three games clear in second position and look to be a real contender heading into finals.
Keilor Park has had an underwhelming season, only registering the two wins heading into its final games of the 2026 campaign.
Glenroy outclassed Keilor Park when these two sides last came up against each other by 22 points at Sewell Reserve.
Keilor Park’s co-captain Joshua Bistisi-Nguyen has had a fantastic fortnight, racking up 48 and 38 touches in both matches.
Meanwhile, Glenroy’s Nicholas Maric was a beast in the middle in last weekend’s clash with Roxburgh Park and finished with 19 contested possessions and 12 clearances.
Roxburgh Park faces a crucial contest with East Sunbury at John McMahon Recreation Reserve in the hunt for a finals spot.
The Magpies sit seven per cent out of the top four after a one-point win against Glenroy last week.
The Thunder are two games behind but enter this clash after knocking off Westmeadows last week.
East Sunbury got the job done the last time these sides met, Todd Elton the star of the show with seven goals.
Elton missed last week so his selection will be a watch, but it didn't seem to bother the Thunder too much.
Ross Terranova will be wanting to improve contest and clearance numbers this time out, with a win this week crucial with Coburg Districts to follow.
Coburg Districts will be looking to continue an undefeated home and away season when it faces Westmeadows at Cole Reserve.
Districts have gone a perfect 16 from 16 throughout 2026 and have rarely been challenged and are the clear premiership favourites in the Division Two competition.
One of the biggest challenges that have faced the Lions came from the Tigers in Round 8 with Coburg Districts winning by 10 points.
Division Two leading goal kicker Curtis Rawlings has been cashing in on the strong form of the Districts this season, and kicked eight goals last week to go along with his 58 goals on the season.
Meanwhile, Jordan Hollow and Ryan Stingel nailed two goals each in the East Sunbury clash last Saturday, and need to be stopped if Districts want to continue their winning ways.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
AIRPORT WEST v GREENVALE
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Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
DEER PARK v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
HILLSIDE v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
OAK PARK v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
ST ALBANS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
EAST KEILOR v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
TULLAMARINE v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
KEILOR PARK v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
