STRATHMORE v KEILOR
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Friday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
Full squads
In: Luke Jarrad, Harry Ryan, Ryan Brodie, Nick Ingleton, Tom Denning.
Out: Daniel Mammoliti, Luke Holian, Daniel Mighell.
In: Stefan Radovanovic, William Burke, Daniel Sargent, Joel Sadler, Nathan Ryan.
Out: Harrison Kennedy, Liam Hude.
Good Friday footy returns to Lebanon Reserve as Strathmore takes on Keilor in one of the more anticipated regular season dates on the EDFL calendar!
Saturday’s game will mark the eleventh clash between the two sides on the public holiday with Keilor triumphing in 10 of the matches, and Strathmore’s only win coming in 2018.
Keilor got the better of the Mores in their three outings in 2024 winning by 49 points on Good Friday, two points in Round 14, and 39 points in the preliminary final.
The two sides couldn’t have had a better start to 2025 with Keilor recording two triple-figure victories against Deer Park and Airport West, while Strathmore have beaten Greenvale and Pascoe Vale.
Keilor has piled on 67 goals in those two games with its ability to cause turnovers around the ground and maintain the ball a highlight.
Chris Kosmas is leading the way with 13 goals, while Liam Hude (nine goals) is working with Cody Brand (eight goals) as another key target.
Hude is out for this contest alongside Collingwood VFL teammate Harrison Kennedy.
Werribee VFL premiership player Stefan Radovanovic returns for his first senior game since committing full time to his junior club, while Will Burke has also been included.
How Mick McGuane utilises Radovanovic will be interesting, primarily known as a defender at VFL level but may be in line to fill the key position void left by Hude up forward.
Kosmas had a day out last year on Good Friday kicking a season-high six goals to help kickstart a terrific 2024 campaign and will be a key watch for the Mores.
Nick O’Kearney did the damage for Keilor in the preliminary final last year and has started the season on fire with 43 and 41 disposals from his two games, also one to be mindful of.
For the Mores, they have controlled both games for comfortable wins to start the season, but will be hoping for a four-quarter performance on Friday.
A key advantage on paper comes in the ruck with Sam Hayes and Andrew Vavra going up against an undersized ruck for Keilor in Blair Wyllie.
The Mores will need their mids to utilise that point of difference against a damaging and deep Keilor midfield unit.
Young gun Christopher Scerri joined the side last week after starting the season with the Bullants and will add another dimension the Mores midfield, collecting 20 disposals to go with seven clearances and nine tackles.
Trent Dumont was at his best against Pascoe Vale with 32 disposals, seven tackles, and five clearances, while Brock Egglestone has also had a strong start to the season.
Liam Cavanagh almost lifted the Mores to a victory in their narrow loss to Keilor in Round 14 last year and has started the season well, 39 disposals and 13 intercepts in Round 1 a reminder of what he can do.
Luke Jarrad, Ryan Brodie, Nick Ingleton, and Owen Mulady have been included in the squad with Daniel Mammoliti the only out.
Friday, April 18 at Lebanon Reserve
10:00am: AGA Under 18.5 Men's Premier Division - Strathmore v Keilor
11:50am: Reserves Premier Division - Strathmore v Keilor
2:15pm: Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division - Strathmore v Keilor
HILLSIDE v ST ALBANS
Friday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
Full squads
In: Jackson Heidrich, Sulaiman Elleissy, Joseph Careless, Jayden Murdoch, Koby Young.
Out: Zak Wunhym, Daniel Scerri.
In: Tobe Watson, Alex Tsia, Aaron D'Cruz, Jacob Townsend, Amar El Nour.
Out: Bol Kolang, Mua Tavo.
Good Friday footy returns to Shark Park this week for a blockbuster clash between Hillside and St Albans, another chapter in one of the league's newest rivalries.
With both sides coming into this bout at opposite ends of the ledger, this is going to make for a hot and fiery contest.
The Sharks are in tricky waters after starting the season 0-2 and currently sitting in eighth spot on the ladder. While it’s still very early days, a win here is pivotal.
The Saints are certainly marching at the moment and couldn’t have asked for a better start to their season, with a 2-0 record to showcase so far and currently holding firm at second on the ladder.
Hillside will be eager to make amends for their semi-final loss last year, where they were bounced out by an unforgiving St Albans side to the tune of 52 points. The Saints led by seven goals at quarter time and successfully held on to that lead all day to put away a helpless Sharks outfit.
In what’s been a disappointing and perhaps somewhat unlucky first two weeks battling injury and some strong opposition, is this the game that gets the Sharks' season rolling?
Lachlan Pettigrove and Josh Covelli will be the ones to watch for the Sharks. Pettigrove is averaging over 23 disposals and his ability to influence games out of the defensive half is exceptional.
Covelli booted five goals in Round 1, and after a tough Round 2 battling a hamstring injury, he will be looking to make his presence felt.
The Saints will be looking to add another stamp to their premiership credentials with a win on the road and will be buoyed by the inclusion of AFL premiership player Jacob Townsend, while Tobe Watson also returns to the squad.
For the visitors, look for Tom Eckel to continue on with his dominant start to the season. Ranked elite in goals, disposals, and ranking points, Eckel will no doubt have a significant influence again, and will need to be quelled from Hillside's point of view.
Hillside coach Mo Kaakour will no doubt have a few tricks up his sleeve, and expect Saints coach Zammy Muhtari to have a few of his own as well. Each will be looking to get the absolute best of their highly talented squads.
With a flying Saints side marching to the beat of their sensational start to the season, and a hungry Sharks outfit looking to sink their teeth into their first win, the stage is set for an epic clash at Shark Park!
Friday, April 18 at Hillside Recreation Reserve
10:00am: AGA Under 18.5 Men's Division One - Hillside v St Albans
11:50am: Reserves Division One - Hillside v St Albans
2:15pm: Strathmore Community Bank Division One - Hillside v St Albans
KEILOR PARK v COBURG DISTRICTS
Friday 4:30pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
Full squads
In: James Ficarra, Jack Hudson, Tristan Russell, Declan Aylward.
Out: Mark Jamar.
In: James Mifsud, Joshua Park, Taine Beattie.
Out: nil.
Keilor Park and Coburg Districts will return to the Good Friday stage to face each other at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve in twilight action.
Both sides will enter the contest fresh following the week off, with the Devils going down in Round 1 and the Lions picking up a win.
It was a nailbiter for Keilor Park which lost to finals fancies Rupertswood by five points.
Coburg Districts on the other hand put the competition on notice with a strong 37-point win over 2024 grand finalists Westmeadows.
The Lions in that game won the contested ball and dominated out of the middle.
Jack McNamara was the beneficiary of that work kicking seven goals, and will require close checking from the Devils' defence.
Damien Cavka made his return to footy in a commanding way collecting 27 disposals to go with eight clearances and three goals.
Keilor Park had its opportunities inside 50 and will want to tidy up its entry and conversion to put some scoreboard pressure on Coburg Districts.
The Devils recovered from a third quarter lapse to show their ability to run out games which could come in handy with some hot weather expected.
Daylan Kempster put in a captain's performance with 23 disposals and four goals in an all-round game.
Mark Jamar is the only omission for either side from Round 1, but shouldn't leave too much of a void in the ruck with Sam Pontin shouldering majority of the load.
Districts' Ian Fisher had it all his own way in the ruck against a Westy outfit missing Michael Mayne, so Keilor Park will be keen for Pontin to give his midfielders first use.
Several Keilor Park premiership players will be lining up in the blue and white of Coburg Districts, so expect there to be plenty in this contest!
Friday, April 18 at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
2:05pm: Reserves Division Two - Keilor Park v Coburg Districts
4:30pm: Strathmore Community Bank Division Two - Keilor Park v Coburg Districts
