The Essendon District Football League women’s competition is starting to heat up, with some interesting match ups across the grounds this weekend.
In Premier Division, it’s the top four teams against the bottom four teams, but none of the matches will be easy.
Coming off a top of the table clash win, Aberfeldie has stamped itself as the premiership favourites, now two games ahead of second place.
This week Abers face Hillside, who can be inconsistent at times.
The key for the Sharks in this one is scoreboard pressure. Having scored just 12 points total in their last two games, they need to hit the scoreboard more if they’re any chance against Abers.
Oak Park suffered its second loss of the season last week to Abers, but wouldn’t be completely disappointed with the result.
The Kangaroos showed plenty of good signs and if they had put it together for four quarters, they could have walked away with the win.
The form of wingers Emily Findley and Mia Briedis has been outstanding, the two will again be key this week.
The Kangaroos face a Strathmore team that is low on confidence. The Mores showed some really good signs when they first came up to Premier Division at the start of the year, but the last three rounds have been badly beaten.
While they have been missing a few players, the Mores need to find a score. Not having Pontif Janjamruen this season has really hurt them.
Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong Park is the most interesting Premier Division match this season. Two sides in the finals mix, this game is vital in the run home.
The Fog has beaten the teams outside the top four this season, so will go in favourites, while the Lions have been inconsistent in recent weeks. This match shapes up as a close match with both teams having the ability to score well.
The final Premier Division match of the round is Westmeadows and Keilor.
Traditionally these two sides have had some good battles, but both have had different seasons so far.
The Blues have their season back on track after a couple of losses and are keen to cement their spot in the top four, while the Tigers have struggled against the top teams.
The Tigers need to find a way to score if they have any chance in this game, having gone goalless in two of their last three games.
In Division One, it’s a battle between top and bottom at Jacana Reserve on Saturday morning.
Tullamarine has a win on the board, but has found the going tough against the top sides.
The Jets on the other hand have a habit of putting big scores on against the lower sides. A competitive loss for the Demons would be a win in this situation.
Essendon Doutta Stars and Gisborne is one of those matches that will shape the top four. Both will play finals, but which team finishes where is the question.
The Stars have got the win the last time these two teams have played including last season’s finals, but the Bulldogs can’t be discarded. This is one match to watch on Saturday.
The final match of the round in Division One is the Sunbury Lions and Burnside Heights.
The Lions have been competitive in every game this season while the scoreboard doesn’t show it, but this is another big challenge.
The Bears are starting to find some real form having knocked off the Stars and Bulldogs in recent weeks.
The Bears kept the Lions goalless earlier in the season and will be keen to do the same again, while the Lions will be hoping to add a bit more scoreboard pressure.
Finally in Division Two, the competition is starting to heat up with some upset results in recent weeks.
The Sunbury Kangaroos will be looking for their third win of the season against Maribyrnong Park 2, who is also searching for a third win.
The Kangaroos have been competitive in this division and showed some good form, while the Lions have lost their last three matches.
Coburg Districts suffered a shock loss last week and will be hoping to beat Westmeadows.
The Tigers have struggled this season with not as much depth as last year, while the Lions have again been around the mark.
The Lions will go in as favourites.
Pascoe Vale has found its feet in Division Two and now have a couple of wins on the board. The Panthers will this week face Aberfeldie 2, who has had some really strong performances.
Both sides have a mixture of experience and new faces – it should be an interesting match.
The other match of the round is Moonee Valley 2 hosting Airport West.
The question is, can the Fog be the first team to stop the red hot Eagles?
The Fog kept the Eagles to just 59 points in Round 3 and have gotten better as the season goes along.
With plenty of goal scoring options, the Eagles should get the job done.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v HILLSIDE
Saturday 11:50am at Aberfeldie Park West
STRATHMORE v OAK PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Boeing Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
WESTMEADOWS v KEILOR
Saturday 4:50pm at Willowbrook Reserve
TULLAMARINE v GREENVALE
Saturday 10:00am at Jacana Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 11:50am at Clarke Oval
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v GISBORNE
Saturday 11:50am at Buckley Park
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v MARIBYRNONG PARK 2
Saturday 10:00am at Eric Boardman Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v WESTMEADOWS 2
Saturday 11:50am at Cole Reserve
PASCOE VALE v ABERFELDIE 2
Saturday 11:50am at Hallam Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY 2 v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 11:50am at Ormond Park
