By Luke Mathews
Airport West will return to Hansen Reserve to take on Deer Park in a must-win game for the Eagles.
It’s been a disappointing month for Brent Taylor’s side, with the Eagles winless in their last three games with an average losing margin of 52 points since Round 5.
Deer Park has had a strong last three weeks which includes wins against Pascoe Vale and Aberfeldie.
The Lions, however, have only won one game away from John McLeod Reserve in 2025, which came against East Keilor and have been disappointing against Keilor, Marby, and Strathmore.
A win on Saturday for the Lions would solidify their spot in fourth position on the ladder and firming for a finals berth, while Airport could be two games outside the top five with another loss.
For Airport West to win, they’ll need to find a way to keep Deer Park’s backline busy.
Jamie Madigan’s side has been rock solid in defence in the last three weeks highlighted by conceding just 86 points against Aberfeldie.
Airport West have struggled to kick a winning score in recent weeks, however will need something to change if they are any chance of claiming victory.
Last time out, Deer Park took down an in-form Airport West outfit, winning by 12 points thanks to four goals from Jackson Barling which all but ended the Eagles finals hopes.
Keilor will be hoping to extend its unbeaten run to 11 consecutive matches when it hosts Essendon Doutta Stars at Joe Brown Oval.
The reigning premiers are once again unbeaten to start 2025, however coach Mick McGuane still feels there is plenty of room for improvement.
Douttas have been up and down in the first half of the season, however they one game outside the top five after losing their last two games.
The two sides met in the final round of 2024, with Keilor coming away with a comfortable 10-goal victory with Nick O’Kearney starring with 45 disposals.
The key battle on Saturday will be between Keilor’s tight defence and Douttas' forward line.
Once again the Blues lead the way in the competition defensively in 2025, conceding just 47 points per game.
Douttas have had no problem finding the big sticks so far this season with Bailey Ryan, Giacomo Thomas, and Oscar Sasalu all in the top 16 for goals in 2025.
The trio will need to be at their best if they have any chance of taking down Brad Xavier and co.
Maribyrnong Park will head to Section Road to take on Greenvale for Nelson Alexander Match of the Day.
Marby have been impressive in their return to Premier Division, winning four out of their eight games with three of their losses coming against competition heavyweights Aberfeldie, Keilor, and Strathmore.
It’s been a difficult 2025 for Darren Bewick’s men having won just two games so far, however they did return to the winner's list last week against East Keilor.
The big question for Brodie Holland will be how does Marby combat Liam Podhajski?
The superstar ruck has been dominant in 2025, averaging a competition high 174 ranking points per game with his best matches coming in losses to Deer Park and Keilor.
Just like the Lions and the Blues, Marby doesn’t have a dominant ruck, however Sam Green returned from VFL duties last weekend and was one of the Lions' best.
Marby will need to find some way of limiting Podhajski’s influence to ensure they come away with their fifth victory for the year.
East Keilor will be back at Overland Reserve to take on Pascoe Vale.
Its been a tough opening eight rounds for both teams with Pascoe Vale in eighth spot with just two wins for the year, while the Cougars are in tenth still without a win for 2025.
The Panthers did return to the winner's list just before the bye, thumping Airport West by 59 points for just their second victory for the season.
One to look out for on Saturday is Noah Scott.
The youngster has solidified his spot in Pascoe Vale’s senior side to start 2025, playing seven of the eight games so far.
Last weekend the 18-year-old broke through for his best game for the year, kicking three goals against the Eagles.
The number 12 will be hoping to cash in this week on the scoreboard against a struggling East Keilor outfit.
By Ben Parker
Lionheart Reserve will be treated to an exciting matchup when Taylors Lakes hosts Hillside.
With the legs freshened and both coming off strong winning performances, expect this bout to be hot early.
The Lions currently sit in sixth position on the ladder and a win here could see them manoeuvre their way back into the top five, and firmly back into finals contention.
Their contested game will be pivotal this weekend. They’re ranked elite in contested possessions with 153 per game, greater than Hillside's 134.
If they can win the footy at the source, they can perhaps expose a wound in the seemingly waterproof skin of these Sharks.
Stars Chris Vulic and Marc Lock will be the ones to watch for the Lions. The two are averaging the 31 and 26 disposals respectively and will need the footy in their hands.
A win won’t come easy though.
They’ve produced an even 2-2 split in the past month of footy and will need to be at their best here if they want to overcome a circling Hillside outfit.
The Sharks have won five in a row and boast the longest winning streak in the competition. Amazingly, after their 0-3 start, they’ve recovered to sit in third on the ladder and are only one game behind West Coburg.
Reigning Hutchison Medallist Josh Covelli was back doing Josh Covelli things in the Sharks' 54-point win over Craigieburn two weeks ago. He booted seven goals and is the one the Lions must stop.
A ripping contest between two of nature’s biggest apex predators, both the Lions and Sharks will look to pounce.
Oak Park will travel down to Ormond Park to take on Moonee Valley in an ominous matchup this week.
The Kangaroos have found their straps and have skipped away to a 7-1 record so far this season.
While there is still over a half of a season of footy to be played out, there is no doubt Oak Park has cemented its credentials as premiership favourites. The Kangaroos have beaten every other top five side and look well placed for a deep finals run.
This week presents as another enticing opportunity.
A week where they are perhaps coming up against inferior opposition, based off season form to date, the Kangaroos should prove too good for Moonee Valley.
However, the most critical element to this Oak Park side is their even distribution of contributors and team buy-in.
With not one player averaging over 25 disposals, on paper, it may seem like a star-less lineup that may fall short come September. Despite this, with 10 players averaging over 15 disposals a game, their recent form suggests that their cohesive formula is working.
Meanwhile, games don’t come any harder than this for Moonee Valley.
The Fog are up and about though. With wins from two of their last three games, they’ve found some positive form in the past month and will look to build upon this on Saturday.
While a win seems unlikely, if they get their tails up and Oak Park are off, anything can happen. This is a game of footy after all.
They’ll need their big guns to deliver if there any chance to upset the flag favourites. Josh Toy, Callum Clinnick, and James Kefalas will need to set the tone early.
If Moonee Valley can put up a fight, expect Ormond Park to be rocking.
Craigieburn will host Avondale Heights in what’s a pivotal game for both sides.
The Eagles currently sit in seventh position on the ladder and are a game outside of the top five. They also require an urgent percentage boost so a big win in the next few weeks is critical.
They were no match for a bulldozing Hillside outfit last time out, going down by a deficit of 54 points.
With fresh legs after a week off, hopefully they put their best foot forward and the best of the Eagles is brought to the forefront.
Jai Robinson and Harry Albon are the two Eagles who can swoop and take over this game.
Robinson has been instrumental all season, averaging an impressive 31 disposals and eight rebound 50s per game, while Albon is their most reliable inside midfielder.
If these two can get going early, the Eagles can certainly ruffle the feathers of this Avondale Heights outfit.
The Heights will fancy themselves here against a team that is proving to be inconsistent and unreliable at times.
Sitting one win outside of second position, Avondale are in a solid position and are placed well to take out this contest.
Last time out, the Heights outlasted a gritty St Albans to record their fifth win of the season.
They are a tackling machine and are ranked first in the competition with an average of 76 a game. This figure is monstrous, and if they produce a rating like this then they are going to be extremely hard to beat.
Bailey Williamson, Brad Robb, and Danko Bzenic have all been scintillating so far this year, and will look to ignite the Heights again on Saturday.
St Albans hosts Roxburgh Park in what’s a an important game for its season.
The Saints have lost four on the trot and have plummeted down to fifth position on the ladder. They were the ladder leaders after Round 4, however, have really lost their brand and form as of late.
This week presents as a vital opportunity to get back in the winner’s books and build some momentum back into their season.
To do this, they’ll need to recapture that physical and contested game which ignited their finals run last year. Currently, they only average 128 contested possessions a game and 39 effective tackles, below average in both statistical columns.
While they are perhaps faced with an easier task this week compared to what they been of late, they need to get back to their best with hopefully some returning players.
Despite remaining winless, Roxburgh Park are certainly proving to be no pushover.
They went down to Moonee Valley by a slender seven-point deficit last time out in a terrific contest.
Moonee Valley beat St Albans a couple of weeks prior to that.
That form reads well and should spark belief within the Roxy camp.
They’ll need their big guns to be the stars of the shows if they are any chance. Jack Elliott and Lucas Repic are the two to watch.
Elliot has been dominant in the ruck all season. He produced 28 disposals, 79 hit outs, and seven clearances in a sensational individual performance last time they played.
With both sides desperately seeking a win, onlookers can expect a tough and fiery contest here.
Tullamarine will travel to the Shoretress to take on flag fancies West Coburg in a tough matchup.
Inconsistency has been the word to describe the Demons season so far. With wins over Avondale Heights and Craigieburn, and other good showcases against superior opposition, they’ve proven their best footy can match it with some of the best.
They’ve only been blown out once with an 86-point loss to the Sharks back in Round 5 and have been in and about most other games.
However, they haven’t been able to put wins on the board, and their 3-5 record to date suggests that they haven't quite put it together yet.
Yet despite this, a performance of their best footy could certainly spoil the party this weekend.
Anthony Liberatore and Shaun McKernan will need to be at their best this week for a win to be considered. The two stars have been pivotal for the Dees this year and have carried their side to a win at times.
On the other side of the ledger, West Coburg has cruised its way to six wins and just the two losses so far.
The Burgers were beaten by Oak Park prior to the bye in a blockbuster clash at JP Fawkner Reserve. However, they only dropped half way through the last quarter after three and a half quarters of brutal and scintillating top-of-the-table footy.
Look for the Burgers to bounce back here and put this one away early.
The usual suspects can be expected to be at their best again here with Tom Baravi, Emilio Rinaudo, and Dinny Cleary all likely to bring the heat early.
By Evan Tudor
The second half of the 2025 season is upon us and the race for finals is heating up.
Before heading into the King’s Birthday break, we were treated to an amazing Round 8 of Strathmore Community Bank Division Two with upsets, nailbiters, and dominant displays.
Round 9 of Strathmore Community Bank Division Two opens with the Northern Saints’ clash with Burnside Heights at Charles Mutton Reserve.
Now sitting at seventh with a 3-5 record, the Saints' three-game winning streak was snapped before the break at the hands of Coburg Districts.
Vice-captain Nick Bruno kicked two and took his 2025 tally to 22, but that wasn’t enough to send the side to a fourth win.
The Saints struggled to win the football with Districts applying overall pressure across all areas of the ground.
Khoder Taleb along with Bruno know how to be a handful to opposition and will hope to combine for some big bags on Saturday.
Burnside Heights broke a four-game winning streak with a dominant win over East Sunbury, highlighted by Jacob Elia’s six majors.
With a total of seven individual goal scorers in that match, the Bears will want to carry the momentum into this one.
Burnside knows how to win the footy well, and with stars like Nick Cugliari racking up 30 disposals in a game, will the Bears go two-on-the-trot?
This contest between seventh and eighth certainly may be close and the result could go either way.
East Sunbury welcomes Coburg Districts to John McMahon Recreation Reserve following a positive performance last time out.
Despite a seventh consecutive loss in this 2025 season, East Sunbury will be happy with the positives coming out of the match and will hope to follow them through this weekend.
The Thunder were dominant on the scoreboard with Brendan Fevola kicking five and the side winning the final quarter.
The Thunder brought the ball control around the ground, while Wade Lees held 29 disposals.
Is this an avenue that will help them on-field against Districts?
Districts were dominant all over in their last hit out, the side convincingly winning the disposal and mark counts, all while protecting defensive 50 effectively.
The icing was put on the cake of a 25-point win with Jack McNamara’s season-high 10 goals.
McNamara now owns big bags of five, seven, and 10. Will any more be added to the collection on Saturday?
Coburg Districts look hot, while East Sunbury’s improvements are becoming more evident.
Rupertswood will return to Salesian College to take on Hadfield after writing one of this division’s biggest stories, defeating Glenroy.
The third-placed side made every moment count in its massive win over the Roys.
Fraser Phelan-Smith had a day out with four majors, while Jackson Cardillo led with 27 disposals.
They’ll look to carry the momentum into this one in hopes of moving up to second if results fall their way.
Hadfield left its mark in a 51-point defeat, the side booting 11 goals and showing many positives despite the overall result.
Jack Dodorico, Samir Skinner, and Andrew Budge combined for eight with Sam Godden starring as usual with 26 disposals.
The ninth placed Hawks will certainly enter with a fight, but will Rupertswood’s dream continue?
After its unbeaten run finally came to a close, Glenroy returns to Sewell Reserve to take on the Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Roys went down by nine points at the hands of Rupertswood, but they won’t be concerned about the numbers on the scoreboard.
Glenroy were dominant from siren to siren, convincingly winning the crucial counts of disposals, clearances, and inside 50s.
They’ll be taking on a Sunbury Kangaroos outfit who went down by four points last weekend.
The Kangaroos trailed Keilor Park at every break by a goal or less, their hunger fueled by their placement inside the top five and a potential return to finals.
Mitch Streiff is on fire in front of goal kicking 11 goals across his last two matches. Will we see another Streiff bag this weekend?
This contest featuring the top-of-the-ladder taking on fifth could seriously swing either way.
Keilor Park Recreation Reserve is the backdrop for the final game of Round 9 as Keilor Park takes on Westmeadows.
This certainly should be one of the games of the round.
Both sides are coming in hot off wins and wanting the momentum to carry through into the second half of the season.
Westmeadows look seriously good after a 51-point victory over Hadfield.
Aaron Evans will play a crucial role in this game after a 29-dispoals and five-goal outing, closely trailed by Nathan Sparks (28 disposals) and Mitch Church (four goals).
Evans and Church have been goal machines for the Tigers in 2025.
The duo will greatly threaten Keilor Park’s backline if they can combine on Saturday.
Keilor Park are just one win and percentage away from holding top spot on the ladder, but if they want to do so, they must win big.
In an evenly shaped battle two weeks ago, Keilor Park walked away four-point winners over the Kangaroos.
The Devils are now on the verge of a fourth win in a row.
Devil Daylan Kempster led the way with five goals, his first major bag of the season since the opening round.
Sam Pontin has been one of the Devils’ best in 2025 with 32 disposals in the latest hit out and will no doubt look for more of the same.
Westy will hope the momentum carries over into this Devil-sized battle, while Keilor Park are eager to keep the wins rolling.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
AIRPORT WEST v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
KEILOR v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
GREENVALE v MARIBYRNONG PARK
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Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
EAST KEILOR v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
ST ALBANS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
WEST COBURG v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
KEILOR PARK v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
GLENROY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
