By Luke Mathews
GREENVALE 13.8 (86) def. ABERFELDIE 9.14 (68)
MATCH CENTRE
Greenvale has resurrected its season after defeating Aberfeldie by 18 points at Section Road.
After doing down to Airport West last weekend, it looked like the Jets were dead and buried, however Saturday’s win now moves them back into ninth with one game left.
Despite remaining in fourth spot, Aberfeldie's season is now on a knife’s edge with the Rillas needing to beat Strathmore next weekend to guarantee a finals berth.
The two teams traded blows to start the match, however Abers had their noses in front at quarter time by eight points.
The Jets found the emotional response they were looking for, booting four goals to one for the term to take a 14-point lead into half time.
Abers cut Greenvale’s lead to seven points at three quarter time however were left to rue plenty of missed opportunities after kicking 3.7 for the term.
With their hopes of survival hanging by a thread, Greenvale kicked five of the first six goals in the last to run away with a memorable victory.
Ben Speight did the damage on the scoreboard kicking four goals, while Liam Podhajski and Riley Leedham were enormous all day.
Despite going down, Ben Ronke made a successful return with two goals, while Ben Parker and Matt Williamson were good again.
Greenvale will now travel to Nipper Jordan Oval to take on Douttas, while Abers will host Strathmore.
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AIRPORT WEST 14.17 (101) def. by DEER PARK 16.13 (109)
MATCH CENTRE
Deer Park has delivered a crushing blow to Airport West's survival hopes, defeating the Eagles by eight points at Hansen Reserve.
Saturday’s defeat means the Eagles have slipped back down to last spot and will need to beat Pascoe Vale next weekend if they are any chance of featuring in Premier Division next year.
Despite putting together a strong run of form across the last month, Deer Park remain in seventh spot and are a game and percentage out of the top five with one week left.
Airport West picked up from where it left off last week, kicking five goals in the first quarter and went into quarter time with a 13-point lead.
Deer Park came out firing after the break, booting eight goals to open up a 31-point half time lead.
Both teams managed two goals for the third quarter which meant Deer Park’s lead remained at 28 points at three quarter time.
The game looked done halfway through the last quarter, however Airport West wouldn’t die wondering, kicking the last four goals.
It wasn’t enough, however, and the Lions hung on for an eight-point win.
Coach Jamie Madigan said, “(It was) a tough contested game with both sides controlling the tempo of play through the match.
“An eight-goal-to-one second quarter was the difference with Trent McKenzie once again being dominant in defence… overall a good team effort.”
Jack Noonan enjoyed a great day with a bag of five goals, while Mark Galea and Lin Jong were dominant again.
Ned Gentile and Cooper Janevski led from the front with four goals each, while Daniel Sinnott had one of his best games for the year.
Airport West will be looking to save its season when it takes on Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve, while Deer Park will host Keilor.
KEILOR 31.19 (205) def. HILLSIDE 10.6 (66)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor has moved into top spot for the first time in 2026, defeating Hillside by 139 points at Joe Brown Oval.
Saturday’s win is the first 200-plus score of any side for the year and is Keilor’s thirteenth win in a row.
It looked set to be a tight contest during the first quarter with nine goals kicked, leaving Keilor in front by 11 points.
That all changed to start the second quarter with the Blues piling on 10 goals for the term and opening up a 73-point half time lead.
Keilor weren’t finished there, kicking another nine goals in the third term before finishing with seven final quarter goals to seal an emphatic victory.
Cody Brand was dominant up forward kicking five, while Jack Brown and Chris Kosmas booted four each.
Daniel Barker managed another two majors, while Robbie Castello and Fort Caruso continued their strong seasons.
Keilor will be hoping to seal the minor premiership when it takes on Deer Park at John McLeod Reserve, while Hillside will finish its year at Shark Park against Marby.
STRATHMORE 12.12 (84) def. by MARIBYRNONG PARK 13.8 (86)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park has kept it finals hopes alive, stunning Strathmore to win by two points at Lebanon Reserve.
The win means the Lions remain in sixth spot, however are now well placed to feature in its first Premier Division finals series since 2017.
After spending the whole year on top of the ladder, the Mores have now let the minor premiership slip and are currently sitting in second.
Strathmore got off to the perfect start, kicking 6.1 and opening up a 17-point quarter time lead.
The Lions started to claw their way back with three goals in both the second and third quarters, however Strathmore’s lead remained at 17 points at three quarter time.
With the game on the line, Marby roared back to life, kicking three quick goals to hit the front.
Strathmore would respond shortly after as the contest reached boiling point.
With just minutes to play, captain Alex Barba got boot to ball at a forward 50 stoppage and it trickled through for a goal which put Marby in front by two points.
With the Mores pressing late from half back, two big tackles from Jai Brinkkotter stopped them in their tracks and when the siren sounded, the Lions had held on for a famous win.
Coach Brodie Holland lauded his team’s ability to shut down the open side of Lebanon Reserve and stifle Strathmore’s ball movement.
Rory Atkins was massive booting three goals, while Brodie Romensky and Blade Sulzberger stood tall all day with two each.
Corey Grindlay was excellent again with three goals, while Lachlan Plant and Sam Hayes fought hard all day.
Marby will be looking to lock in a finals berth when it takes on Hillside at Shark Park, while Strathmore will meet with Aberfeldie at Clifton Park.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 17.5 (107) def. PASCOE VALE 14.14 (98)
MATCH CENTRE
Essendon Doutta Stars has moved one step closer to making the finals after defeating Pascoe Vale by nine points.
The win means the Stars hold their spot inside the five, however will need a win against Greenvale to guarantee their place in the final month of footy.
The loss doesn’t do much to Pascoe Vale with the Panthers locked into third spot with one match left.
The Stars started strongly with five goals in the first quarter however they were only in front by five points at the first change.
They asserted their dominance on the contest in the second term with another five goals which had them in front by 25 points at half time.
The home side weren’t finished there with five goals in the third quarter piling on the pain and putting them in front by 40 points at three quarter time.
The Panthers didn’t die wondering with seven goals in the last quarter getting them within touching distance, however it wasn’t enough in the end and ultimately went down by single figures.
Coach Barry Prendergast said, “We played well for three quarters and responded to the challenge, but allowed the opposition back in the game.
“Learning experience for a young group but proud of how they steadied and delivered the win when it really counted.”
Declan Willmore did the damage in front of goal with four majors, while Michael Kiraly and Oscar Sasalu starred again.
Dante Colosimo continued his strong goal kicking form with four majors while Jeremy O’Sullivan and Liam Ogden were good again.
Douttas will be looking to lock in finals footy when it hosts Greenvale, while Pascoe Vale will take on Airport West at Raeburn Reserve.
By Evan Tudor
ABERFELDIE 5.3 (33) def. OAK PARK 3.9 (27)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie has survived a final-quarter Oak Park surge to book its spot in the decider by six points at Cole Reserve.
In a battle between the ladder’s top sides who both were fresh off two commanding victories, the Two Blues and Kangaroos set out to the field looking to put one hand on the premiership cup.
It was a familiar fast and attacking opening quarter for Aberfeldie, with two early goals from Mo Hope sending the minor premiers up 2.3 (15) to nil at the first change.
What followed was a quieter second term on the scoreboard, but one that certainly gave Oak Park some confidence.
By the halftime siren, the Roos held their opponents scoreless while also putting up three behinds to bring the deficit back to two-straight kicks at the major break.
Both sides would then conjure majors in the third term, with another Mo Hope double and a Chloe Rafferty major increasing the lead for Aberfeldie, while Oak Park also established its first goal for the afternoon amid the onslaught.
With the margin set at 23 points at the final changeover, Aberfeldie was in a fairly comfortable position to run away winners, but Oak Park didn’t give up.
In the final 20 minutes, the Two Blues were held scoreless by a stellar Kangaroos side, with Oak Park putting 2.5 (17) up onto the scoreboard.
Alexi Kasteliotis scored twice for Oak Park for the second consecutive week, while Savannah Byrne found one.
While it certainly was an impressive fightback, time was ultimately against the Roos, with the siren sounding on a six-point Aberfeldie win.
Alongside its goalscorers, Amelia Wright, Jess Duffin, Emma Tatti, and Britt Gibson were named as some of Aberfeldie’s best.
Maggie Styles, Sarah Dargan, Brittney Gray, and Mikayla Barnes joined the Roos’ scorers on the best-on list.
Aberfeldie advances to the grand final and will sit next weekend out as Oak Park has one last shot at a grand final ticket against Strathmore at Overland Reserve.
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STRATHMORE 7.4 (46) def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 5.2 (32)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has marched on to next weekend’s preliminary final following a 14-point victory over Essendon Doutta Stars at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
In a match that further solidified the Mores and Stars as finals-worthy competitors, it was Essendon Doutta Stars that made the most of open windows in the first term, with Ada Pizzinga and Aleesha Hobbs sending the Stars away for a 2.0 (12) to 0.2 (2) advantage at the first break.
Hobbs’ goal was the result of the Stars making the most of opportunities, with Zoe Attard booting the ball out of the pack into open space in forward 50 where her teammate delivered.
As was the case with the second quarter, teams were gridlocked for stoppage after stoppage, with Strathmore hoping to pull back into the contest after being dazzled earlier.
It was a quick Tacita Siliato who was the first to send the Sherrin through the big sticks for the Mores, before the Stars’ star ruck Eden Grant put one through for her side.
What followed next was nothing short of extraordinary, with Doutta Galla Hotel Player of the Match Taylah Gilcrist kicking the match’s next five goals across an accumulative 24 minutes of play.
Gilchrist was the difference in Strathmore overcoming its deficit and then taking advantage in the game, with the star More hitting the scoreboard for the first time since Round 1.
With a 14-point margin in the favour of the Mores at the final change, Essendon Doutta Stars set out for one last push when it returned to the field.
Shortly after Gilchrist kicked her fifth, Camyrn Bux commenced the Stars’ reignition following a great passage of play.
Strathmore then responded with Jasmina Curtis taking the ball straight to the goal line where she booted it over the goal umpire’s hat to put the result beyond reasonable doubt.
While the Stars’ chances were becoming grim, Zoe Attard baked up one last highlight for the match, a long bomb goal.
She was named as one of the Stars’ best alongside Bux, Candice Dyson, Jessie Hulett, Kayla Madigan, and Ella Tyson.
Mabel-Jean Flannery and Charli Sette were declared best-on for the victorious Mores.
While it’s season over for Essendon Doutta Stars, a date with Oak Park awaits Strathmore at Overland Reserve, with a spot in the grand final on the line.
By Noah Wallwork & Eric Forman
CRAIGIEBURN 6.13 (49) def. by WEST COBURG 15.7 (97)
MATCH CENTRE
West Coburg stormed away to a 48-point victory over Craigieburn at DS Aitken Reserve to secure the minor premiership.
West Coburg jumped out of the blocks in the first term, adding an 18-point lead.
The Burgers continued to punish the hosts, with another 44 points added in the second term.
The Eagles will rue their inaccuracy in front of goal as they kicked six goals and 13 behinds.
West Coburg Captain Emilio Rinaudo starred in the forward 50 with three goals, alongside Reed Cathcart.
Ibrahim Taha kicked two alongside Jesse Martini, while Jalal Abou-Eid and Jonah Horo both dominated around the ground, winning the midfield battle.
Eagles skipper Jamie Gorgievski battled hard with two of his own goals, but played a lone hand.
With this victory, West Coburg has secured top spot and will face the victor of Oak Park and Moonee Valley following the week off.
The Eagles will face Tullamarine in an elimination final on Sunday.
OAK PARK 27.8 (170) def. ST ALBANS 7.6 (48)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park demolished St Albans by 122 points at JP Fawkner Reserve.
It was clear there was a difference in quality between the two sides from the onset, with the Kangaroos never letting St Albans into the contest.
The real damage came in the third and fourth quarters, with the Kangaroos adding eight and seven goals in those quarters.
Anthony Delorenzi proved damaging in the midfield and the forward 50, with four goals in a best on ground performance.
Archie Payne also starred in the forward 50 with four goals.
In the midfield it was Paul Pascu who provided run and damage with his raking left boot.
St Albans were never truly in the contest, but vice captain Jake Galea tried hard with three goals.
Jacob Hunt and Byron Murphy also played well, but the midfield brigade of the Kangaroos proved too damaging.
St Albans finish the season in ninth, while the Kangaroos finish second with a qualifying final against Moonee Valley to come this Saturday.
TAYLORS LAKES 15.10 (100) def. AVONDALE HEIGHTS 15.7 (97)
MATCH CENTRE
Taylors Lakes defeated Avondale Heights by two points at Lionheart Reserve in a comeback victory.
The seventh placed Lions came back from 17 points at three quarter time to secure a two-point nailbiter.
In the last five minutes, Daniel Sargent and Aaron Vendramini both kicked truly in front of goal to record a thrilling victory.
Throughout the day, Lion Lockie Rayner continued his good form with 12 clearances, 25 disposals, and 48 hit outs.
Marc Lock continually stood up in defence with 31 disposals and nine rebound 50s, while in the forward 50, Danny Younan added three goals.
For Avondale Heights, Blake Cochrane dominated in the midfield with 41 disposals and nine clearances, as Declan Joyce-Lawford was also important with 30 disposals, nine tackles, and five clearances.
But it was the midfield dominance that separated the teams in the last quarter, with the Lions +8 in clearances and +12 for inside 50s.
Both teams will miss out on finals, but the Lions will remember this thrilling comeback for a long time with a fitting way to farewell outgoing coach Steve Burns and 300-gamer Rayner.
MOONEE VALLEY 14.9 (93) def. TULLAMARINE 9.14 (68)
MATCH CENTRE
Moonee Valley secured the double chance with a 25-point win over Tullamarine at Ormond Park.
It was an even first half that saw the Fog up by four points at the main break, before six goals to one in the third quarter opened the margin up.
The Demons fought back in the last quarter, but were too far back in the contest to make a real impact.
It was a spread of contributors for Moonee Valley with 11 different goal kickers, Luke Denny (four goals) the only one to kick multiples.
Denny was among the best with Sean Callander and Sebastian Moffett also impressive.
Declan Edwards kicked two for Tullamarine with Josh Cowell and Jake Long named its best.
The Demons would find themselves in the elimination final regardless of the result with Craigieburn set to be their opponent on Sunday.
Moonee Valley, meanwhile, will prepare for a qualifying final against Oak Park on Saturday.
RUPERTSWOOD 17.25 (127) def. EAST KEILOR 5.9 (39)
MATCH CENTRE
Rupertswood finished its season with an 88-point win over East Keilor at Salesian College.
The Sharks made an inaccurate start kicking 2.10 in the first quarter, but were able to straighten up a touch to kicked 15.15 to close out the game.
Fraser Phelan-Smith kicked four goals with Clayton Bonello and Luke Sultana kicking three each.
Jackson Cardillo and Ethan Fitzpatrick enjoyed big days out to close out the return season to Division One, and send Brad Fox off with a win.
Jackson Griffiths again led the way for East Keilor with three goals, as the Cougars will begin their journey to Division Two after another difficult season.
By Noah Wallwork
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 3.9 (27) def. KEILOR PARK 2.4 (16)
MATCH CENTRE
Burnside Heights is off to another grand final after enjoying an 11-point win in the preliminary final against Keilor Park.
Keilor Park had a strong start after rushing towards a seven-point lead early.
The Bears hit back in the second term adding nine points unanswered.
They started to pull away from that point onwards, adding another two goals and three behinds.
The players that stood out for the Bears were Grace Jelbart and Kiara Asani-Davis, who provided plenty for the Bears.
Olivia Antonello also proved dangerous in the forward 50 with a goal, putting her goal tally to 24 goals for the season.
Antonietta Parisi and Caitlyn Crameri both tried hard for Keilor Park.
Burnside Heights will take on Westmeadows at Highgate Reserve in the grand final this Saturday.
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By Jake Reeves & Eric Forman
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 3.9 (27) def. by GLENROY 18.19 (127)
MATCH CENTRE
Glenroy cemented second spot with a 100-point victory over Burnside Heights away from home.
The Roys have looked the goods all season and have capped of an awesome home and away season in clinical fashion.
It was a scrappy first three quarters that saw Glenroy up by 48 points at three quarter time, but an eight-goal final term saw the visitors pile on more pain and end the Bears' 2026 campaign.
Aaron Kite’s five goals led the way to a big win for the Roys.
Young gun Riley Anset and captain Anthony Petrarca stood up on a tough afternoon for the Bears.
Glenroy will next play the ladder leaders in Coburg Districts in a qualifying final at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
NORTHERN SAINTS 20.9 (129) def. EAST SUNBURY 12.11 (83)
MATCH CENTRE
Northern Saints made it back-to-back wins to end 2026 on a high after knocking off a flat East Sunbury by 46 points at Charles Mutton Reserve.
The Saints were the better outfit in the opening half, but a third quarter blitz from the home side put the game out of reach with an eight-goal-to-one quarter.
The final term was scrappy but enough to get the Saints their fourth and final win of the season.
It was the usual suspects for the Saints with Nick Bruno and Hisham Kerbatieh both ending their seasons on the right note.
Meanwhile, it was James Strauss and Robbie Gray who stood up on a disappointing afternoon for the Thunder.
ROXBURGH PARK 11.12 (78) def. by COBURG DISTRICTS 14.17 (101)
MATCH CENTRE
Coburg Districts maintained its perfect record for the home and away season with a 23-point win over Roxburgh Park.
The loss for the Magpies ended what was an admirable season, with Ross Terranova coaching his last game for the club.
It was a stong start for the Lions with the first three goals of the game with 15-points the margin at the first change.
The Magpies reduced the gap to nine points early in the second, but the Lions would pull away from there to keep the margin at a comfortable range all afternoon.
Curtis Rawlings kicked two goals to top the league, while Bilal Moustafa, Darcy Reid, Luke Viska, and Ali Saad also added two each.
Eyad Hegazy kicked three goals and was among Roxy's best with Andrew Capuana and Zein Omar.
The Lions will play off for a spot in the grand final this week against Glenroy at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
HADFIELD 13.11 (89) def. KEILOR PARK 10.15 (75)
MATCH CENTRE
Hadfield survived a final-round fright from Keilor Park in a 14-point victory at Martin Reserve.
The Devils enjoyed a red-hot start with 7.1 to 2.2 in the opening quarter, and led by 13 points at the main break.
The Hawks kicked four goals to one in the third term to re-take the lead, befoure outlasting the visitors in the final quarter.
Mohammed Moustafa booted five goals, with Ryan Potter and Lachlan McKean named Hadfield's best.
Jai Bahnert was the best for the Devils who will enter the off-season with some momentum.
Peter Barbopoulos, Lindon Bektash, and Colby Blyth kicked two each, with Mitchell Meredith and Ben Chisholm also strong contributors.
The Hawks will prepare for Westmeadows in an elimination final on Sunday.
WESTMEADOWS 21.5 (131) def. SUNBURY KANGAROOS 7.10 (52)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows locked in fourth spot after a comprehensive victory over the Sunbury Kangaroos at Willowbrook Reserve.
The Kangaroos were in the game early and up and the first change, but a clinical second term from the Tigers saw eight unanswered goals kicked by the home side.
The second half followed a similar story which saw the Tigers cruise to a comfortable 79-point victory at the game's end.
Jordan Hollow and Shaun O’Grady both had big afternoons and kicked three and seven goals respectively, the latter named the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the game.
It was John Corso and Tyler Baba who stood up for the Kangaroos in a tough game for the visitors.
With the Kangaroos' season coming to end, the Tigers are set to face Hadfield in an elimination final.
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