It was the second season that the EDFL has featured its league-wide Pat Cronin Foundation Round in an effort to reduce violence on and off the field, and put an end to the coward punch.
Clubs were encouraged to get their players to wear yellow armbands to honour the memory of Pat Cronin who lost his life just over seven years ago, and educate their players on the dangers and consequences of violence.
It was so great to see so many clubs getting on board this message, as well as doing their best to raise funds for the Foundation in a variety of ways.
The EDFL would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who participated and contributed over the weekend!
It’s been a slow start to the season for Airport West after their promotion to the top flight with this loss making it an 0-4 start.
While they didn’t get the win, they showed a competitive edge against one of the top sides that we haven’t seen in the early parts of this season.
They’ve had big losses to Keilor and East Keilor and a narrow loss to Douttas which is one of the games they would have marked as an important contest coming into the season
The Eagles led the Mores at half time and fell just 13 points short in the end.
Muhammed Saad and Kyle Weightman each kicked four goals for their respective sides, with Daniel Sinnott the best for the Eagles, and Brock Egglestone for the Mores.
Mick McGuane’s men have well and truly staked their claim as the team to beat with their most recent drubbing of a 2022 grand finalist, a 50-point victory over Aberfeldie.
With their 73-point win over Strathmore on Good Friday and 12-point win over Pascoe Vale, they have knocked off each of the 2022 finalists in the early parts of the season.
A solitary point separated the two sides at the first change but from there, Keilor outscored Abers 10 goals to three.
Matthew Clark’s three goals topped the scoreboard for Keilor, with Kyle O’Connor, Kane Barbuto, and Campbell Gray (two goals each) also contributing.
Riley Ham was named Keilor’s best along with former Two Blue Harrison Kennedy, while Luke Davis and Jack Mapleson were among the top contributors for Aberfeldie.
It’s been a tough start to the year for the Roys, but coming into their match with Westmeadows, one of these sides was going to get their first win.
In the end it was Glenroy who downed the Tigers by 10 points after outscoring them by 20 points in the finals quarter.
With the bottom two being relegated in Rookie Me Division One this season, early wins are vital and Glenroy have gotten just that.
Cody Wight and his three goals helped lift the Roys to victory alongside Mark Sabatino, while Shaun Knott (four goals) was the only multiple goal scorer for Westmeadows.
It was the Parks against the Sharks in a pair of games this weekend with the Parks taking the victory in these matchups.
Roxburgh Park were stoic in their 16-point victory over Hillside, handing them their first loss of the season.
Keilor Park meanwhile recorded their third win of the season after defeating Rupertswood by 10 points.
Jack Elliot dominated the ruck for Roxy while Cooper McPharlane rebounded from a goalless outing to score three goals.
EDFL stalwart Robbie Castello kicked four goals for the Devils, leading an inspired eight goal to two run in the second half.
While unconfirmed, it has been relayed that Josh Covelli sustained an injury during the game, a big loss for the Sharks.
There were just two games in the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two split round this weekend with Hadfield defeating East Sunbury, as Northern Saints moved to 4-0 with their win over Sunbury Kangaroos.
The 23-point loss was the first double digit loss for the Sunbury Kangaroos who were in the contest all day, before a few late goals from Northern Saints stretched the lead.
Playing coach Tamer Abdallah kicked three goals and was among the best for Northern Saints, while the Treweek brothers featured heavily for Sunbury Kangaroos.
After a trying first month of footy for Hillside, the Sharks got their first win on the board handing Strathmore an 18-point loss.
Strathmore were the giant killers on Good Friday after defeating the reigning premiers in Keilor, but have since lost their last three games.
Coach Ron Sikora would have been hoping to turn the tide against the winless Sharks but Rob Davis had other ideas.
Four goals to one in the second half saw his side get the win and kick start their season.
Moonee Valley triumphed by 38 points over Keilor and have leapfrogged them on the ladder, a game clear of Keilor and two games clear in the top four.
It was a dominant performance from start to finish, keeping the reigning premiers goalless until the final quarter.
Nicole Chiera and Anita Ovenden kicked two goals each, while Kerri Magee was named the Fog’s best.
With just two games in Airport Toyota Women’s Division One following the forfeits of Sunbury Kangaroos and Pascoe Vale, Greenvale defeated Gisborne comfortably, while Essendon Doutta Stars did the same to Sunbury Lions.
Jessie Hulett kicked six four Douttas in their 83-point victory, taking her season total to 10 following four goals against Tullamarine in Round 2.
Douttas have placed themselves in the top three alongside the undefeated Greenvale and Burnside Heights outfits.
Airport Toyota Women’s Division Two is mostly made up of second sides again in 2023, with Coburg Districts and Airport West the two lone first sides.
In their first meeting of the season, Airport West ran away emphatic 97-point victors.
Four players kicked three goals or more with Georgia O’Donovan bagging four.
Natasha Campbell and Ash Drews were named the Eagles’ best, along with Shae Montrose who also kicked a goal.
