By Luke Mathews
Aberfeldie will meet with Strathmore in a preview of next week’s qualifying final at Lebanon Reserve.
Abers locked away second spot on the ladder last weekend when they took care of Deer Park by 33 points, while Strathmore could only come away with a draw against Essendon Doutta Stars.
The result matters very little for the ladder with Abers now 10 points clear of Strathmore, however both sides will be looking to gain some confidence heading into the finals.
When the two sides met on King’s Birthday weekend, Aberfeldie came away with the bragging rights, winning by 22 points with Jack Middleton leading the way as the Mt Alexander Hotel player of the match.
One that will be hoping to keep up his recent form is Nic Watson.
The crafty tall has had a very consistent season to date since first featuring, however has been in strong form in recent weeks highlighted by his four goals against Deer Park last weekend.
Strathmore’s backline is the hall mark of their game, conceding just 63 points per game (second best in the competition) and will need to find an answer to all of Aberfeldie's threats forward of the ball.
Airport West’s season will go on the line when they take on Deer Park at John McLeod Reserve.
Saturday’s matchup is the game of the round, with a win for the Eagles giving them a real chance of playing finals, while a loss would end their season.
Brent Taylor’s side was at its very best when it really counted last week, knocking off Pascoe Vale by 33 points with their season once again on the line.
Deer Park have very little to play for in terms of ladder position, but Jamie Madigan will want a lift heading into finals.
Earlier in the year, Deer Park came away with a comprehensive 67-point win at Hansen Reserve despite trailing by 19 points at quarter time.
The most intriguing story line this Saturday will be Flynn Gentile.
The Coburg vice-captain’s season is finished at VFL level for 2025 and may be available for selection this Saturday.
The 22-year-old has once again had an excellent season for the Coburg averaging 25 disposals and five clearances a game in a very positive year for the Lions.
The onballer hasn’t suited up for Airport West since Round 18 in 2024 and could be the difference between finals or bust on Saturday, alongside other available VFL players.
Pascoe Vale will be hoping to finish their season on a high, when they take on East Keilor at Raeburn Reserve.
It hasn’t been the season the Panthers would’ve wanted just one year after making a grand final with the side currently in eighth spot with only six wins for the year.
East Keilor’s difficult season will come to an end with the Cougars unable to win a game during 2025, however have still managed to put out a side each week in difficult circumstances.
The two sides last met back in Round 9 with Pascoe Vale picking up a 186-point win, with Rhys Ritchie booting a game-high seven goals.
Maribyrnong Park will be looking to break their six-game losing streak, when they take on Greenvale at Monk Oval.
The first season back in the top flight has been an up and down year for Brodie Holland’s men with the Lions inside the top five for most of the year, however will miss the finals.
2025 has been a year to forget for Greenvale with the Jets notching up just the five wins for the year and are currently in ninth spot.
It will, however, be a day to celebrate for Greenvale as they farewell legendary coach Darren Bewick after five seasons at the helm.
Earlier in the year Marby came away with the four points, defeating the Jets 30 points with superstar forward Jaye Bowden kicking five goals.
One that will be hoping to finish the season on a high is Sam Calleri.
The small forward has had another excellent season booting 25 goals from his 15 games which is the second most for the Lions behind Bowden.
The 22-year-old had his best game for the last year kicking five goals against a rock solid Keilor backline, and will be hoping he can produce something special one more time in 2025.
Essendon Doutta Stars will be hoping to book their ticket to finals when they take on Keilor at Nipper Jordan Oval.
Barry Prendergast’s side are still in the box seat to make finals with the Stars currently in fifth spot, however their place still isn’t guaranteed.
The Stars almost did enough last weekend, however they were only able to come away with a draw against Strathmore.
A loss on Saturday will mean a nervous wait for players and supporters with Douttas relying on Deer Park to knock off Airport West to secure their spot.
Keilor has had another excellent home and away season with the reigning premiers two games and percentage clear on top of the ladder and are primed for another push at a flag.
Back in Round 10, Keilor took care of Douttas by 74 points with an eight-goal second quarter setting up the victory.
Once again, the man to keep an eye on at Nipper Jordan Oval is Bailey Ryan.
The sharpshooter has had a brilliant season booting 55 goals from his 17 games and is currently in second spot on the leading goal kickers tally.
Despite being well beaten by the Blues, Ryan still caused plenty of headaches for Keilor’s backline, booting three goals.
The vice-captain was unable to hit the scoreboard last weekend and will need to produce something special if Douttas are to record one of the all-time great club wins.
By Ben Parker
Finals football returns this weekend when West Coburg and Hillside face off in a mouth-watering qualifying final at Salesian College.
With both sides looking like they’ll feature prominently in finals footy, onlookers can expect a hot and fiery contest here.
Both the Burgers and Sharks come into this bout with a win over each other in the season.
They first met back in Round 2, where the Burgers produced a powerful second-half display to run away as 28-point winners.
When they met the second time, Hillside reversed the result and recorded a thumping 52-point win to make it an even split.
Both have produced stellar seasons to date, with West Coburg producing a 14-4 record, and Hillside recovering from a lacklustre start to finish with 12 wins and six losses.
The midfield battle is also set to be an exciting factor here
A strength of West Coburg’s, their midfield is almost unstoppable when in sync and this shapes as a potential determinant of the final outcome.
The Burgers average 44 clearances a game, the third highest in the competition, while Hillside are ranked last with 36 a game.
The Sharks must turn up to contest and be impactful at stoppage if they are to be competitive here.
Nullifying star Burgers like Tom Baravi and the ever-improving Iesa Saad at the contest will be pivotal. These two are proven ball winners and will no doubt be the ones driving West Coburg forward.
For the Sharks, they are ranked at the top of the competition for intercept possessions and score involvements.
Their ability to mark the ball in defence, and then chain up through handballing has been the highlight of their game style this season.
The Burgers will need to be alert to this, and will need to locate quickly on turnover or they will get burnt going back the other way.
Vice-captain Josh Covelli is the obvious one to watch for the Sharks. The imposing full-forward is inching closer and closer to raising the bat, and with just 11 goals required to reach the ton, the Sharks will no doubt be looking for him.
The winner will play Oak Park in next week’s qualifying semi final, while the loser heads to a do-or-die clash.
Avondale Heights and Craigieburn will meet for the second week in a row this Sunday at Sewell Reserve, but this time in an elimination final.
They clashed last week in the last game of the home and away season, where the Eagles were too good for a flat Heights outfit.
The Heights, who failed to fire a shot last week, will be out to make amends and prove they’re a genuine premiership contender.
After comfortably around the top three for most of the season, the loss last week saw them slip down to fourth position and in doing so, lose the double chance.
The first time these two sides met was back in Round 9, and it was Avondale who were too classy in a 32-point road win.
Fast-forward to last week, Round 18, and the result was almost identically flipped as the Eagles handed the Heights a 35-point masterclass and their sixth loss of the season.
With the two being almost impossible to split, this bout is poised to be a thriller.
Craigieburn is coming into this contest having won six out of its last eight games, and are entering the finals like a steam-train.
They have resurrected their season and a win here would solidify their credentials as a premiership smokey.
While many doubted they would even make the finals, their past two months of footy has been undeniable.
They are the in-form team of the competition and pose as a legitimate threat to the other top five sides.
In last week’s pre-curser, the Eagles stuffed the stat sheet and were dominant in most areas of the game.
They beat the Heights in key areas including total disposals, marks, pressure acts, tackles, hard ball gets, and dominated on the scoreboard with 12 goals to seven.
In spite of this, the most intriguing part of this clash will be the midfield battle.
Despite being convincingly beaten, Avondale won the clearance battle against the Eagles by nine and will look to capitalise on this again this week.
The Heights averaged 44 clearances a game throughout the season, superior to Craigieburn at 38 per game.
If Avondale can correct the other areas of their game, then the result could be much different to last week.
With stars on every line, including the likes of Avondale’s Jackson Robb and Bailey Williamson, and Craigieburn’s Harry Albon and Jai Robinson, there will be no shortage of flare in this one.
One side is flying, and one side is trying to recapture their brilliant best. One thing is for sure - these two sides are set to light up Sewell Reserve on Sunday.
By Evan Tudor
After what was a thrilling end to the home and away season, Rupertswood and Coburg Districts will clash in an elimination final as finals football kicks off at Section Road.
With both clubs narrowly missing out on the top three by just a win, Rupo and Districts will be eager to catch-up with the rest of the pack for the preliminary finals.
But that can only be achieved with a win in this game.
Following an impressive season campaign and dominant displays last weekend from both outfits, expect this one to be feisty.
Coburg Districts picked up a 72-point win last Saturday against East Sunbury to close off its season.
The men in blue and white recorded an 8-1 record in the second half of the season compared to their opposition of Rupo at just 5-4.
Districts spearhead Jack McNamara booted six majors last weekend to cap off a stunning season with 71, averaging 19 touches a game, and leading the division’s goal kicking ladder by 20.
Alongside McNamara is Riley Bentley who’s been a stunning force for his side this year.
With a 27-possession average and 10 best-on listings, Bentley has been a key acquisition for the Lions.
He joins the likes of Aaron Aquilina and his 24 touches. Aquilina has always placed opposition under the pump with seven tackles and eight clearances averages.
Together, they’ll all look to threaten Rupertswood and progress onwards.
But Rupo has proven that they have the power to beat anyone and won’t hold back come Sunday.
With an 11-6-1 record, Rupertswood put the competition on notice last weekend as it again downed Glenroy, this time by 22 points after trailing at the final change.
The Sharks have certainly been one of the sides to watch this season as a result of their powerful list that exhibits sky-high numbers.
Fraser Phelan-Smith sunk three through the sticks and racked up 17 touches along the way.
Jackson Cardillo’s efforts have too been well-noted.
He is the equal division-leader for best-on-ground and averages 32 disposals, nine clearances, five inside 50s, and eight tackles each week. A true indication of someone who is dedicated to their footy.
He’ll look to strike big against a hot Coburg Districts.
And with some serious goal kicking talent, you’ll wonder if Rupertswood will just lay them down on the Lions.
Clayton Bonello and Phelan-Smith have both booted 41 this season and lead at the club. Neither have missed a game since May.
Both clubs have what it takes to get up in this do-or-die battle, so it’ll be a contest of who best uses their resources on the day.
They last met in Round 10 when Districts held on to win by four in a nailbiter at Cole Reserve.
Thanks to Nelson Alexander, you can catch this one live and free on the EDFL Match of the Day broadcast, or tune your radios into 98.9 North West FM.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
STRATHMORE v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
DEER PARK v AIRPORT WEST
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
PASCOE VALE v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
MARIBYRNONG PARK v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
WEST COBURG v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v CRAIGIEBURN
Sunday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v COBURG DISTRICTS
Sunday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
