Plenty were interested in the contest at Raeburn Reserve between Pascoe Vale and Greenvale and for good reason.
The Panthers could solidify their position in the top two, while Greenvale had a chance to draw level on points with Strathmore pending results.
Greenvale ran away with the game in the end by 34 points after kicking six goals to one in the second half.
While they’re now level on points with the Mores, they still have a hefty percentage differential that likely won’t be overcome before the season’s end, so wins are that much more important for the Jets.
Mitch Podhajski played his first game for the Jets this season with Coburg having the bye in the VFL and was named their best, while Ben Speight kicked four goals.
Ryan Mills and Cam Tudor chipped in for three goals each, while Fort Caruso played game 100 for the green and black.
Pascoe Vale were without some key pillars in Will Hoare, Sunny Brazier, and Lachlan Stredwick, as Adam Del Busso, Daman Aujla, and Matthew Watson kicked two goals each for the Panthers.
Avondale Heights earned themselves a two game separation on Maribyrnong Park in the relegation battle following their 23-point victory over Essendon Doutta Stars.
Douttas were running hot early, kicking five goals to one in the first quarter before taking a 21-point lead into the main break.
From there, the Heights kicked nine goals to two in the second half to run away with the important victory.
Aaron Clarke played his first game for the Heights in 2023 and booted four goals, while Declan Tully tried hard up the other end with five goals.
There were a number of important games that would affect the finals landscape in Rookie Me Division One with the top five far from settled.
Starting from the top were old rivals St Albans and Deer Park in which the Lions controlled the game from start to finish to run out 45-point winners.
The win means Deer Park remain a game clear in second plus a hefty percentage buffer, while St Albans have dropped to fourth.
The reason they’ve dropped is due to Rupertswood beating Hillside by 21 points in an entertaining, see-sawing affair at Salesian College to move a game clear in third.
Hillside are another game behind St Albans in fifth spot following the loss but maintain their four-point buffer over Roxburgh Park who lost to Moonee Valley by five points.
Tied with Roxburgh Park on points but down by four per cent is Craigieburn who defeated Keilor Park to keep their finals hopes alive.
Moonee Valley and Keilor Park are a further game behind which would make a finals run difficult, but as the Fog proved on the weekend and the Devils earlier in the year against Rupo, they’re capable of stalling some of the finals' fancies.
Division Two was treated to a pair of one-point contests with the results also altering the finals landscape in what is one of the more open senior competitions in the EDFL.
Taylors Lakes were able to hold off a fast-finishing Sunbury Kangaroos to sit a game clear in second place.
The Lions led by three goals at the final change before the Kangaroos piled on four goals to one in the fourth quarter to give themselves a fighting chance.
Rhys Magin and Jack Vivian led the Kangaroos’ charge with two goals each, while Raaf Rachrache kicked three goals for Taylors Lakes with Sonny Briz named their best.
Over at Cole Reserve, Coburg Districts held off Northern Saints in a higher scoring affair which puts them two games clear in the top four.
It was a tight contest all day with Districts boasting five multiple goal scorers and Ricky McGill named their best.
Up the other end, Khoder Taleb bagged five for Northern Saints with Matthew Bennardo, Mohamed Taleb, and Daniel Trikilis each kicking two.
With Aberfeldie beating Strathmore by 26 points over the weekend, they’ve now secured top spot being two games and 181.28 per cent clear of Oak Park with two games remaining.
Similarly, Oak Park will finish with a double chance being three games clear of Moonee Valley.
This is where it starts to get interesting. The Fog are a game ahead of Keilor who are fourth and have Hillside and Strathmore on the run home.
While they’d be expected to win, Hillside came within five points in their last matchup and will have nothing to lose.
If they’re to lose one of those games, it opens the door for Keilor to move into third. If they’re to lose both, it’ll open the door for Marby to steal a finals place.
Keilor faces a tough task with Oak Park and Aberfeldie to come, while Marby have Hillside and Oak Park.
It’s likely the top four may remain as is, but there’s certainly plenty to play for.
Essendon Doutta Stars handed Greenvale their second loss of the season in comfortable fashion, winning by 36 points at Section Road.
They controlled the game from start to finish kicking 4.3 in the first quarter and keeping the Jets scoreless in the process.
Olivia Anderson, Leyla Corkill, and Mia Tully each kicked two goals with Neve Crowley and Mali McLeod named their best.
Burnside Heights have taken top spot, but with a bye next week and Greenvale playing Tullamarine, the Bears may have to settle for second due to the percentage differential.
In other games, the Bears beat Gisborne by 78 points, while Tulla secured their second win by 38 points over Sunbury Lions.
