ABERFELDIE v STRATHMORE
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Windy Hill
Full squads
In: Karl Brown, Aaron Stone, Benjamin Smokrovic, Anthony Horomidis, Josh Kemp, Jack Mapleson, Nic Walsh, Jackson McDonald.
Out: Luke Davis, Ben Parker, Jordan Lombardo, Cooper Anderson, Hamish Bird.
In: Trent Dumont, Mitchell Purcell, Andrew Gallucci, Owen Mulady.
Out: Kade Mueller, Lucas Scerri.
Preview by Luke Mathews
Aberfeldie and Strathmore will return to Windy Hill for the annual King’s Birthday clash.
The two sides have played off against each other in a number of close contests, from grand finals to this matchup that has been on the calendar since 2022.
Abers won the first clash by just one point, however the Mores won by 33 points in 2023 and 10 points in 2024.
Both teams are once again sitting towards the top end of the ladder with Strathmore in second spot on 28 points, while Abers are a game behind in third.
The two sides had different Round 8 clashes with Strathmore overcoming a gallant Essendon Doutta Stars by 22 points, while Aberfeldie lost to Deer Park by 19 points.
Coincidently, both sides play a very similar style of game and whichever one executes best on Saturday will likely pick up the four points.
Aberfeldie are slightly better offensively in 2025 averaging 126 points per game compared to Strathmore’s 105.
The Mores on the other hand have one of the strongest defences in the competition conceding just 63 points per game, while Abers give up 71 points.
Their scoring profile is almost identical with 56 per cent of Abers' scores coming from turnovers and 41 per cent from stoppages, while Strathmore sit at 55 per cent from turnovers and 40 per cent from stoppages.
They can hardly be split in many of the key stats such as contested possessions, clearances, turnovers, and inside 50s, with both sides ranking inside the top five in all areas.
There are two key areas to look out for on Saturday which will have a big impact on the result.
Firstly, Abers will need to find a way to negate Strathmore’s star-studded midfield.
The Mores boast some of the competition’s best on ballers with the likes of Trent Dumont, Brock Egglestone, and ruck Sam Hayes all dominating to start 2025.
The Rillas will be hoping to match Strathmore in the middle of the ground with the likes of Stefan Rasinac and Matthew Williamson needing to show the form they've brought this season.
Secondly, Strathmore will need to find a way to keep Abers' dangerous forwards quiet.
The Rillas have the most lethal forward duo in the competition with Callum Moore and Sam Paea combining for 53 goals to start 2025.
Liam Cavanagh has built a reputation in recent seasons as one of the most reliable defenders in the league and will have to be at his very best to contain Abers’ sharpshooters.
Aberfeldie will welcome Josh Kemp and Karl Brown back to the lineup to create more headaches for the Mores' defence.
Off-season recruit Nic Watson has also entered the side in recent weeks which will assist Aberfeldie's ruck stocks against Hayes and Andrew Vavra.
Mitch Purcell and Andrew Gallucci are included in the side this week with Gallucci playing just his second senior game in 2025.
ADMISSION
Adults: $10
Concession: $5
Children under 16: Free.
Profits will be donated to the Pat Cronin Foundation.
