By Luke Mathews
Essendon Doutta Stars will be hoping to keep a hold of fifth spot when it takes on Hillside at Nipper Jordan Oval.
After putting in multiple impressive performances between Round 4 and 11, the Stars have slipped up in recent weeks against competition heavyweights Keilor and Strathmore.
Hillside has become one of the stories of the 2026 season with the Sharks now sitting in eighth spot with four wins so far in their first season of topflight football.
A win for Douttas would move them above Aberfeldie and a game clear of Marby for now, while a win for the Sharks would see them jump Deer Park.
When these two sides met earlier in the season, Douttas won by 59 points with Bailey Ryan booting five goals in the comprehensive victory.
For Douttas to win, they’ll be hoping Liam Merceica’s strong form continues.
The ruckman has led the way in the middle of the ground for Douttas this year, averaging 20 disposals and 31 hitouts per game.
The ruck position hasn’t been a strong suit for the Sharks in 2026, currently ranking eighth for hit outs, however they’ll be looking for a strong showing on Saturday to quell the Stars' main man.
Strathmore will be looking to strengthen its grip on top spot when it takes on Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve.
After a stunning start to 2026, the gap between the reigning premiers and the rest on the competition has shrunk with the Mores now sitting only a game ahead of Keilor.
Pascoe Vale is close to sewing up the double chance, with Daniel Harris’ men two games clear of Aberfeldie in fourth spot with only five games left.
When the two sides met back in Round 5, Strathmore came away with a 17-point victory with Kade Mueller and Athan Tsialtas both kicking four goals.
If Strathmore want to claim the four points again it’ll need to stop Tyson Scoble.
The small forward has been one of the recruits of the season, kicking 21 goals from 10 games including a bag of four last week against Greenvale.
Strathmore’s defence has held firm for most of 2026 and if it can hold Pascoe Vale’s sharpshooter quiet this weekend, there’s a strong chance it’ll claim another victory over its neighbours.
By Gus Court
An important clash awaits Canning Reserve as Avondale Heights hosts Craigieburn.
The Heights sit one game and percentage out of the five and will hoping to get back on the winners list after a narrow defeat last week.
The Eagles dropped out of the top three after losing last week to Oak Park and will be wanting to stay in the double chance mix.
These sides last met in Round 5 when Craigieburn enjoyed a 26-point victory.
Brodie White is one the Heights will need to put time into after having 37 disposals, 12 clearances, and four goals in that contest.
White helped the Eagles enjoy a 19-point differential in scores from stoppage which proved to be a factor.
Marcus Zipf has been in fine form in the ruck for the Heights and will hope rectify that differential and give first use to Blake Cochrane and co. in the engine room.
Taylors Lakes will head to Kings Park Reserve to take on St Albans.
Both sides sit on three wins with the Lions boasting 17 more percentage points.
With finals as good as ruled out, the two will be looking to pick up a win to kickstart a positive run towards the end of the season.
The Saints won by 14 points when these sides met in Round 4 after defending stoutly against the large amount of ball coming in.
Jake Galea was dominant with 33 disposals, 12 clearances, and two goals, and will be one for the Lions to stop.
Lachlan Rayner will add a different dimension to that earlier meeting having missed with suspension.
Tullamarine will be looking for two good wins in a row when it welcomes East Keilor to Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Demons won their last match against Taylors Lakes by 72 points and sit one game and percentage clear inside the five.
The Cougars are still without a win but had a solid outing last time out against Tulla.
They were able to hang around in the contest and although the Dees were wasteful, there were optimistic signs for East Keilor.
One to watch will be Josh Covelli who sits on 987 career goals. Can he edge closer to a big milestone with the hopes of reaching it in the coming weeks?
Rupertswood will head to Ormond Park to take on Moonee Valley.
The Fog jumped into the double chance zone last week and enjoy a solid percentage differential to Craigieburn in fourth.
Rupo snapped a four-game losing streak last week and will be hoping to back it up and start disrupting the path to finals for sides.
Moonee Valley was dominant when these sides met in Round 5 winning by 37 points.
The Fog were +98 in disposals, +35 for inside 50s, and +11 in clearances, something they'll want more of.
Luke Denny and Haidyn Shade were huge in that contest combining for 69 disposals, 18 tackles, 13 clearances, and six goals.
Can the Fog continue on, or can Rupo sneak an upset?
Senior action returns to Shore Reserve in a mouthwatering clash between West Coburg and Oak Park.
The Burgers sit first on the ladder and have won 11 in a row.
The Kangaroos sit in second and have won their last six.
It was a tight contest when these sides met in Round 2 with Oak Park prevailing by 12 points.
Both sides were without some of their stars, so team selection will certainly be an interesting watch.
Josh Hotchkin was able to control the ruck on the day with no recognised ruck for West Coburg.
Outside of 35 more disposals and an edge in the contest, most of the day was pretty even which sets the scene for an exciting day of action.
Can Jesse Martini and Ibby Taha continue their form in front of goal? Can their returning stars right the wrongs of that contest?
Or will Oak Park maintain the edge and draw level on points?
We'll find out on Saturday.
By Jake Reeves & Scott Jacques
Coburg Districts meets with Glenroy in a blockbuster top-two clash at Cole Reserve.
Districts survived an almighty scare last weekend against the Northern Saints, scraping over the line in a one-point classic. A game that proved no team should be taken lightly in this competition, and anyone can win on the day.
The Roys mauled Hadfield at Sewell Reserve by 124 points in a game that was over before it started, with the scores reading 47-0 at quarter time.
Glenroy come into this game with a 12 win and one loss record and will be out for revenge after they fell short in their last matchup against Districts by 24 points.
Coburg Districts midfielder Riley Bentley was so classy with the ball in their last outing against Glenroy and conjured 35 disposals, but also had eight inside 50s and seven rebound 50s showing his balance of being able to attack and defend when his team needs him to.
The Roys' positive to take out of their defeat in their previous performance against Districts was their desperation and never give up attitude.
Glenroy had double the number of smothers and had over 19 more pressure acts, a stat that could help them get the job done in this fixture.
Roxburgh Park will head to Charles Mutton Reserve to take on Northern Saints.
The Magpies are one game out of the four and enter this clash after a loss to Westmeadows last week.
The Saints are in ninth and will be wanting to stay out of last spot, a narrow loss to Coburg Districts their last contest.
Northern Saints broke through for its first win when these sides met in Round 5, three points the final margin.
Hisham Kerbatieh will be the man to stop for Roxy with 27 disposals and five goals in that contest.
Andrew Capuana enjoyed one of many fine games this season in Round 5 with 28 disposals, 11 tackles, and two goals.
Can Roxy stay in touch with the finals race, or will the Saints continue their solid form?
Westmeadows will host Hadfield in a top-four clash at Kalkallo Reserve.
The Tigers have had a good patch of form, winning four out of their last five games and sitting clear in third spot.
The Hawks got a wake-up call last week when they got smashed by Glenroy by 124 points in a tough performance at Sewell Reserve.
Hadfield will have a fire in the belly and be looking to respond after such a poor performance, while hoping it can welcome back some missing stars.
When these sides last met, it was a field day for the Hawks who dominated the Tigers all afternoon, coming out on top by 65 points.
Sam Godden was the clear standout in the Eagles last match against the Tigers, racking up 50 disposals and nine clearances and led the way in the monumental win. A player the Tigers must be out to stop if they want to give themselves the best chance to win on Saturday afternoon.
Keilor Park will head to John McMahon Recreation Reserve to play East Sunbury.
The Thunder enter this one off a big loss to Burnside Heights and sit two games out of the four, making this a must-win contest.
The Devils sit in last spot with just two wins for the year with nine consecutive losses the formline.
It was a 26-point East Sunbury win when these sides played in Round 5 with East Sunbury unable to miss (10.2) and Keilor Park unable to buy a goal (4.12).
Todd Elton bagged four goals and will no doubt attract attention.
Jai Bahnert had 27 disposals and eight clearances in that contest and will look to lift his side out of the middle.
Can the Thunder keep their finals hopes strong, or can the Devils find a way to get back on the winners list?
Sunbury Kangaroos are looking to make it five wins in a row when they play host to Burnside Heights at Eric Boardman Reserve.
The Kangaroos currently sit mid table in fifth position but with a great month of football behind them, they will have a lot of confidence their form can continue on Saturday.
Meanwhile the Bears are off the back of a monster win over East Sunbury but sit in eighth position.
These sides last played off in Round 4 which saw the Kangaroos prevail by three points in a low scoring thriller at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
Bears midfielder James Elarmaly had a fantastic game in these sides' last matchup, creating eight score involvements and being a dangerous player with ball in hand.
In the same clash, Kangaroos midfielder John Corso was dominant around stoppage and found his way to 10 clearances and 118 ranking points on the afternoon.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
PASCOE VALE v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
TULLAMARINE v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
ST ALBANS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
WEST COBURG v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v GLENROY
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Kalkallo Reserve
