By Luke Mathews
Strathmore will host Deer Park at Lebanon Reserve in an intriguing matchup to see where both sides are at.
Strathmore have had a terrific start to 2025 winning three of their first four to sit in second spot on the ladder, while Deer Park have been inconsistent with two wins and two losses.
It was a Round 4 to remember for both sides with Strathmore thumping East Keilor, while Deer Park recorded a stirring 27-point win over Essendon Doutta Stars in their 100-year anniversary game.
Last time out it was the Mores that came out victorious, defeating Deer Park by 25 points thanks to five final-quarter goals.
One to look out for in selection is Kwame McHarg. The sharpshooter stole the show against Douttas, booting a match winning eight goals to drag his side over the line in his first game in almost three years. Strathmore’s formidable backline will have to be at the top of their game if McHarg plays again.
East Keilor will travel to Joe Brown Oval to take on Keilor for the first time in 2025.
Both sides couldn’t have had a more different start to 2025, with Keilor picking up where they left off, winning their first four matches comfortably, while East Keilor are left languishing in last spot.
The two sides last faced off back in Round 11 last year, with Keilor continuing their hot streak and easily accounting for the Cougars by 119 points.
A big watch on Saturday will be the performance of Chris Kosmas. The number 22 is arguably the most in-form player across the competition to start 2025, averaging five goals a game and 119 ranking points. Another big day out would solidify his spot at the top of the leading goal kickers tally.
Essendon Doutta Stars will play host to Greenvale at Nipper Jordan Oval.
The Stars showed plenty of heart last weekend to comeback from 50 points down, however it wasn’t enough as they succumbed to their third loss for the year.
After a remarkable five-point victory over Pascoe Vale, the Jets couldn’t back it up last weekend, going down to Airport West to leave them 1-3 after the first month of the season.
The two sides last squared off back in Round 12 last year with the Jets running away with a 27-point victory.
For Greenvale to win, they’ll need to stop Oscar Sasalu. Deer Park had no match for the big man after half time, almost dragging his side over the line with five goals and three goal assists.
If the match winner gets off the chain again, it could be a long afternoon for Darren Bewick’s men.
Maribyrnong Park will be hoping to make it four wins on the bounce when they take on Airport West in one of the matches of the round at Hansen Reserve.
After a tough loss to Aberfeldie in the opening round, Brodie Holland’s men haven’t put a foot wrong since, winning their last three matches with their breakthrough victory coming against Pascoe Vale last week.
It’s been a mixed started for the Eagles after a preseason full of expectation winning comfortably against Greenvale and East Keilor, however were no match for competition benchmark’s Aberfeldie and Keilor.
For Airport West to find a way to win, they’ll need to find a way through Marby’s formidable backline. The Panthers had no answer for Marby’s rock-solid defence last week with Alex Barba and Tom Barnett standing tall all day to finish with a combined 70 disposals and 28 marks.
If both men are allowed to control the game again on Saturday, it could be a long afternoon for Brent Taylor’s men.
Aberfeldie will be back at Clifton Park for the second week in a row when they host Pascoe Vale.
The Rillas didn’t lose any respect last week when they went down to Keilor by just 23 points, while the Panthers were no match for Marby when it counted, going down by 32 points.
It's been a disappointing start for last year’s grand finalists, losing three of their first four, while Abers sit in third spot with three wins for the year.
Last time out, it was Aberfeldie that took the win, defeating Pascoe Vale by 17 points back in Round 10 thanks to three goals from Brodie Newman.
For the second week in a row, if the Panthers want to win, they’ll need to fire in front of goal. Across the board, Leigh Tudor’s side have been solid, but their kicking has let them down with 11.15 last week.
A more clinical display in front of the sticks could turn around their fortunes.
By Ben Parker
St Albans host West Coburg in a blockbuster clash between the current top two sides in the competition.
With both sides in rich veins of form, all is set for what should be an enticing game of footy.
The Saints come into this clash sitting at 4-0 and on top of the Division One ladder.
They have already taken the scalps of Hillside and Taylors Lakes and will look to cement their premiership aspirations with a win here.
They put away a brave Taylors Lakes last week after an inconsistent first half.
They let the Lions kick six goals to two and bring themselves right back into the game in the second quarter, so they’ll need to produce a full four quarter performance here.
The one to watch will be Tom Eckel who is averaging 31 disposals per game and is coming off a sensational outing last week where he amassed 33 disposals, 14 clearances, three goals assists, and two goals.
Meanwhile, West Coburg has got its mojo back. Along with the Saints, they are the most in-form team in the competition now.
With their heads are up and their process rolling, they can certainly knock the Saints off their perch.
Emilio Rinaudo has only played the two games for the Burgers so far this year but has been one of their best. He had 27 disposals and eight score involvements last week and will want to be at his damaging best again.
Craigieburn hosts Taylors Lakes in a fascinating contest out at DS Aitken Reserve.
Both are very good footy teams that perhaps haven’t produced their best footy yet. If they both bring their best, expecting a thrilling contest.
After sensationally upsetting Oak Park last week, Craigieburn have won three out of their first four and are proving to be legitimate threats this year.
They use the ball exceptionally well and will need to maintain this consistency this week.
Jai Robinson will be one to watch this week for the Eagles. Averaging 26 disposals, he’s one of Craigieburn’s most dangerous players and they’ll want the ball in his hands.
Taylors Lakes on the other hand are sitting on an even split at 2-2. They were beaten by St Albans, but their second quarter fightback should instill a great deal of confidence going into this week.
Unlike last week, expect them to come out hunting the footy from the start.
With both sides being evenly matched around the ground, the one-on-one matchups will be exciting to watch.
Tullamarine will travel to Shark Park this weekend to take on Hillside in what’s a tricky matchup for them.
Tulla recorded their first win of the year last week, albeit against a struggling Roxburgh Park, and will be looking to challenge Hillside here away from home.
However, only their best footy will get the job done in what will be a tough environment.
They’ve shown that they’re capable of competing with the best with strong patches of footy against Oak Park and St Albans. However, patches of brilliance won’t win games for them, especially against the better sides, and so they will need to be on song this week.
There was a real sense of purpose about Hillside’s win last week. It wasn’t the fact they were 0-3 leading into it and it wasn’t that they were away from home. It was the way they did it.
With their backs against the wall, they ran over the top of Avondale Heights in real season-defining win.
Expect Lachlan Pettigrove to have his usual strong influence, and look out for youngster Noah Asciak as he continues to improve each week.
They will look to make it two on the bounce this week and should be very hard to beat. Expect Shark Park to be buzzing if the Sharks have control early.
Oak Park get a chance to make amends for last week’s disappointing result when they host Roxburgh Park at JP Fawkner Reserve.
The Kangaroos were sensationally brought undone last week by a firing Craigieburn outfit and they would have strongly reflected on their performance in the past few days.
What’s the best thing about football though? Next week comes around in the blink of an eye, and for Oak Park, this week’s a chance to make amends.
Against a struggling Roxburgh Park, the Roos will be eager to put this one away early.
For Roxburgh Park, there have been few positives in a season so far consisting of primarily lows. However, their mere 10-point loss to Craigieburn in Round 2 suggests that they’re capable on their day.
It’s hard to see them beating Oak Park here, but if the Roos are off again, you never know what could happen.
Footy returns to Canning Reserve for the second week in a row as Avondale Heights hosts Moonee Valley.
The Heights currently find themselves at 2-2 and despite the two losses, have played some very impressive footy in every game so far.
They demolished both West Coburg and Taylors Lakes and were extremely competitive against Oak Park. If they produce a similar performance like these, look out.
Moonee Valley on the other hand are languishing at 1-3, and need to bank another win soon.
The Fog only trailed West Coburg by 11 points at three quarter time last week before they were blown out to the tune of 44 points.
With a few returning to Canning Reserve for the first time to face their old foe, expect them to come out with plenty.
By Evan Tudor
Rupertswood returns to Salesian College to host Coburg Districts to open Round 5 of Strathmore Community Bank Division Two.
A 21-point loss to Westmeadows last Saturday saw Rupertswood’s unbeaten run put to a close.
Coburg Districts however took home the four points last weekend when they were 13-point victors over Hadfield.
Rupertswood will hope for its goal scorers to reignite and for a dominant display over Districts’ defensive line.
Districts’ Jack McNamara and Damien Cavka will hope to threaten Rupo’s own defence in this match.
This battle between fifth and fourth respectively will be one to watch and serves as a good contest for Rupertswood’s first match at home in over a month.
East Sunbury travels down to Martin Reserve to take on Hadfield as Round 5 continues.
With only a Round 1 win each, one of these teams will be singing the song for the second time this season if they can get up in this match.
Hadfield have some serious goal kicking talent who will concern the Thunder’s gameplan.
We saw 11 individual goal scorers help them over the line in Round 1, and with Jack Slavich kicking two in each of his first four games, will this continue in Round 5?
It wasn’t to be for East Sunbury when they took on ladder leaders Glenroy last weekend.
Some positives did come from that match, with Thunder leading goal scorer Joshua Crump kicking one despite a mountain of goals conceded from the Roys.
This week’s contest between ninth and eighth will hopefully give both sides a good chance of walking away winners.
The top-of-the table clash plays out at Sewell Reserve when undefeated ladder leader Glenroy takes on the rising Keilor Park.
After a dominant 138-point display over East Sunbury last week, the Roys will look to make it five on the trot if they can hold off the Devils this Saturday.
Eleven goal scorers last weekend for Glenroy put the competition on notice, highlighted by the Aaron Kite, George Abdallah, and Mark Sabatino trio who kicked 13 between them.
The Devils however look to cause an upset.
Since their Round 1 loss, Keilor Park have made it three straight, with wins over Coburg Districts, Northern Saints, and Burnside Heights.
With an average winning margin of 31 and players like Pearce Wilkinson and Jarod Pontin who know how to put pressure on the scoreboard, this will be a game to watch.
Last year’s preliminary finalist, Burnside Heights welcomes Sunbury Kangaroos to Tenterfield Drive.
Despite a loss last weekend to Keilor Park, Burnside Heights still piled on a respectable 82 points, decorated by a Jordan Hughes bag of four.
In what was a high scoring loss, the Bears still have shown what they’re capable of.
The Kangaroos left Eric Boardman Reserve last week with their second win in a row and will look to make it three.
With both sides with a 2-2 record and placed sixth and seventh, this should be an interesting one.
Northern Saints will take on Westmeadows at Section Road in a rematch of last year's elimination final.
A tough campaign for the Saints so far sees them resting bottom on the ladder without a win.
Scoring their highest total of the season in last weekend’s loss with 95 points, the Saints will be desperate for a win here.
Leading goal scorer NickBruno continued his streak with three last Saturday against the Kangaroos, while Eliot Kako put on a display with five.
The Saints have shown what they’re made of, so now its just time to extend their form towards winning ways.
Last year’s runner up Westmeadows will hope to continue its winning ways after a 21-point win over Rupertswood last weekend.
The Tigers are placed third on the division ladder with a 2-2 record, and a win on Saturday could see them go as high as second.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
STRATHMORE v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
KEILOR v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
ABERFELDIE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
AIRPORT WEST v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v TAYLORS LAKES
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Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
HILLSIDE v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
ST ALBANS v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
OAK PARK v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
HADFIELD v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
GLENROY v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve - Oval 2
