By Luke Mathews
Greenvale will be out to cause an upset when it takes on Strathmore at Section Road.
After two losses to start the season, the Jets picked up their first win of 2026 last weekend when they knocked off Hillside by 30 points.
Strathmore has hardly put a foot wrong to start 2026, winning its opening three matches by an average of 44 points.
The Jets proved to be no match for the eventual premiers in 2025, with Strathmore winning its two clashes by 26 and 86 points.
If available for selection, one to keep an eye on this Saturday will be Matt Allison.
The full forward hasn’t missed a beat to start 2026, booting 13 goals in his three matches including a bag of six last weekend against Deer Park.
Greenvale’s backline has been the hallmark of their game so far this season, conceding the third-least points against and will need to be at their very best if they are to stop Strathmore’s main man.
Airport West will be hoping to return to the winner's list when it hosts Hillside at Hansen Reserve.
After a strong end to 2025, the Eagles started 2026 positively with a win over Douttas however have been disappointing in their last two outings against Marby and Aberfeldie.
Hillside is still looking for its first four points of 2026, however it has been competitive in every contest so far without claiming victory.
These two sides last met back in Round 18, 2022 with Airport West coming away with a comprehensive 57-point victory which set them on the path to winning the Division One premiership.
For Hillside to win, it’ll need Lucas Failli to continue his strong form.
Failli dominated last weekend against the Jets, finishing with 25 disposals and three goals despite playing in a losing side.
The Airport West engine room were well beaten in the contest and at clearance last weekend against Aberfeldie and will need an improved performance if they are to negate Hillside’s weapons.
Maribyrnong Park will be looking to continue its strong start to 2026 when it travels to John McLeod Reserve to take on Deer Park.
After plenty of preseason hype, Brodie Holland’s side have hit the ground running in 2026 picking up three wins to start the year.
Deer Park has had an indifferent start to 2026 as it battles through injury with an honourable loss against Aberfeldie, a tight victory against Hillside, and a disappointing loss against Strathmore.
In 2025, Marby came away with a comfortable 29-point victory in Round 3 while Deer Park flipped the result in Round 12 with a 12-point victory.
Jamie Madigan’s side will be keen to return to John McLeod Reserve after the venue became a fortress in 2025 with his men beating Aberfeldie and Pascoe Vale in consecutive weeks.
One area for improvement Brodie Holland will be hoping for is his sides’ first quarters.
Marby have been slow starters in recent weeks, trailing at quarter time against Airport West and Essendon Doutta Stars before eventually going on to win the game.
Deer Park hasn’t been particularly strong to start matches either, winning just one first quarter, however Marby will need to be at their best from the start if they want to claim the victory.
Keilor will be searching for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2026 when it travels to Nipper Jordan oval to square off with Essendon Doutta Stars.
After a slow start last week, the Blues were back to their brilliant best, piling on 13 second-half goals to run over the top of Pascoe Vale by 27 points.
Meanwhile Douttas have had a difficult start to 2026, with the side yet to pick up a win after going down to Airport West, Strathmore, and Marby.
These two teams last met in Round 18 last year, with Keilor winning by 23 points and ultimately denying the Stars a breakthrough finals appearance.
One man that will be hoping to continue his strong start to 2026 is Liam Conway.
The offseason recruit has been prolific to start 2026, averaging 34 disposals across the last two weeks despite playing in losing sides.
Keilor’s midfield hasn’t been at its best to start 2026, ranking eighth for contested possessions and fifth for clearances and will need to rectify this if they want stunt Douttas’ premier ball winner.
Aberfeldie is a chance to move to 4-0 when it takes on Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve.
The Rillas have had a brilliant start to 2026, beating 2025 finalists, Deer Park, Keilor, and Airport West in their first three matches.
Pascoe Vale hit the ground running with back-to-back wins to start the year however it couldn’t capitalise on a hot start last week and ultimately went down to Keilor.
Saturday’s match will be the first time Leigh Tudor returns to Raeburn Reserve since his departure as senior coach halfway through last year, just eight months after guiding them to a grand final.
In 2025, Abers won a nailbiter in Round 5 by five points, while they backed it up with a 64-point victory in Round 14.
One matchup to keep an eye on this Saturday is the midfield battle.
Pascoe Vale and Aberfeldie are ranked both one and two for clearances and one and three for contested possessions.
Aberfeldie’s on ball brigade has been superbly led by Matthew Weber and Matthew Williamson so far in 2026.
Pascoe Vale has a more even spread of midfielders, however experienced campaigners Matthew Dennis and Paul Ahern continue to lead the way.
Which ever midfield can get get on top this weekend will likely go a long way to claiming the four points.
By John Price
Rupertswood will continue to search for its first win of the season when it travels to Canning Reserve to play Avondale Heights.
The Heights toughed out last week's contest with St Albans after going down big to Tullamarine the week prior, and will have the chance to move to 3-1.
Rupertswood has been competitive in its three games, but hasn't gotten within 25 points come the final siren.
Andrew Kahofer's men rank in the top two for disposals, contested possessions, clearances, and inside 50s, showing their ability at the source to generate scores.
Blake Cochrane has been a key contributor since moving across in the offseason, ranked in the top five in the league in those same metrics, and will be one for Brad Fox to look out for.
A four-quarter performance will be what Rupo is after to keep them in the contest, with a winless opening four weeks the result if they can't put it together.
It'll be the first time the sides have played off for premiership points.
Taylors Lakes and St Albans will have a chance to square their ledgers when they face off at Lionheart Reserve.
Both sides sit 1-2 with the Lions winning last week against East Keilor, and the Saints narrowly going down to Avondale Heights.
Two high-pressure sides will go head to head, with the Lions more stringent defensively, and the Saints more potent offensively.
Brandon Coletta will line up against his former side after a best-on-ground performance last week, with Jake Hobbs and Danny Younan also entering with strong form.
Hok Marial has kicked 11 goals from three games for St Albans, with the 17-year-old proving to be one to watch for opposition defenders.
St Albans won the last meeting between the two sides in Round 14 last year by 15 points.
Moonee Valley will look to get back on the winner's list when it hosts East Keilor.
The Fog suffered their first loss last week against the undefeated Craigieburn, while the Cougars have suffered three heavy defeats to start 2026.
There have been more signs of competitiveness from the Cougars, but the Valley will go in as heavy favourites.
Moonee Valley's Mitch Clarke tops the league goal kicking tally and will be one to watch, with East Keilor's Cooper Matthews (eight goals) potent up the other end.
These sides last met in August 2016, with the Valley winning by two points.
Second and third will face off as Tullamarine heads to Jacana Reserve to play West Coburg.
The Demons have been one of the big improvers to start the season with wins over 2025 finalists Avondale Heights and Oak Park.
West Coburg has dropped just the one game but has looked strong under new coach Cole Harvey.
The Burgers like to maintain possession of the footy with a high-mark game, while Tullamarine is a lower disposal, kick-first side that finds targets inside 50.
The Demons are the number one defensive side in the competition and will need to flex that with Ibby Taha, Jesse Martini, and Omar Saad all threatening inside forward 50 for West Coburg.
Tom Jackson has been getting it done up the other end for Tullamarine with three goals in both of Tulla's wins.
The Burgers won their last match comfortably over Tullamarine, 62 points the final margin, something that Zack Carey would love to reverse this time out.
A twilight contest between Oak Park and Craigieburn at JP Fawkner Reserve will close out Round 4 of Community Bank Strathmore Division One.
The Kangaroos are coming off a loss to Tullamarine, while the Eagles' record is unblemished after three wins on the trot.
Brodie White has starred since returning to Craigieburn averaging 22 disposals and eight inside 50s, generating a lot of offence for the Eagles.
Jai Robinson's ball use out of their defensive half is something Oak Park coach Luke Williams needs to be mindful of as well, averaging 27 kicks per game at 77 per cent.
Oak Park will look to gain its advantage in the ruck with Josh Hotckin the highest ranked Kangaroo.
Hotckin is clear as the number one ruck for hit outs to advantage, while working hard around the ground to find the footy.
Tyson Old has been an important addition to the side averaging 25 disposals and six score involvements per game, one to look out for if you're the Eagles.
Oak Park won by 14 points the last time these sides met in Round 14 last year.
By Leroy de Villiers
Northern Saints and Coburg Districts will meet at Charles Mutton Reserve to kick off Round 4 of Community Bank Strathmore Division Two action.
The Saints are looking for their first win, while the Lions are undefeated with three big wins.
Antony Papalia and Tamer Abdallah's side has had two really competitive outings after a disappointing fadeout in Round 1.
The Saints welcomed the return of Mark Merlino last week, as well as the first games of Radwan Haddara, Hisham Kerbatieh, and Lukmain Haddara who will all benefit from time spent in new colours.
The Lions enter the clash as the number one attacking side in the competition, Curtis Rawlings (13 goals) and Jack McNamara (11 goals) leading the charge.
McNamara was held goalless last week but Districts still put 22 goals on the board, an impressive feat.
Damien Cavka's return to the field also proved fruitful, 38 disposals and three goals the result, creating another matchup headache for the opposition.
These sides last met in Round 17 last year with Coburg Districts winning by 38 points.
Sunbury Kangaroos will be looking to get back on the winner's list when Keilor Park travels to Eric Boardman Reserve.
It was a 31-point loss for the Kangaroos last time out against East Sunbury, while the Devils secured their first win against Northern Saints.
Shylo Smith has been pivotal for the Devils kicking nine goals from three games, including five in last week's win.
Jai Bahnert dominated in his second game in green and orange with 47 disposals and will add some class to the midfield group.
The Kangaroos have been awaiting the return of Rhys Magin after being named in the squad for each contest, but they've fared well so far without him.
John Corso continues to be reliable averaging 23 disposals and seven clearances, while Mitch Streiff's 10 goals leads their scoring.
These sides last met in Round 18 last year where Keilor Park won by nine points.
East Sunbury will look to make it two on the trot when it hosts Burnside Heights.
The Thunder were impressive in their breakthrough win over Sunbury Kangaroos, while the Bears went down for the third consecutive week.
Robbie Gray was dominant with 36 disposals and five goals, while experienced heads Wade Lees and James Strauss continue to find plenty of footy.
There are clearly a few that opposition sides need to look out for against East Sunbury, but we're already seeing a more complete team performance to start 2026.
Anthony Petrarca and Lachlan Evans are the two regular contributors for the Bears, but young guns Toby Pullens and Cade Anset have hit the scoreboard alongside Jacob Elia and Greg Constantinou.
Burnside Heights won a 14-point game in the last contest against East Sunbury in Round 16 last year.
Martin Reserve will see Hadfield take on Glenroy on Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks have lost their last two after a Round 1 victory, while Glenroy dismantled Westmeadows last time out to remain undefeated.
The Roys have been boosted by the inclusions of Greenvale quartet Daniel Micevski, Ryan Townsend, Daniel Trifunovic, and Nick Maric.
Maric returned to action last week with 30 disposals and three goals, adding to the plethora of weapons on each line for the Roys.
Hadfield continues to turn to Josh Trembearth, Sam Godden, and Jake Polizzi, but have lifted Mohammed Moustafa to regular senior action with nine goals from three games the result.
It was a tight contest the last time these sides met in Round 16 last year, Glenroy seven-point winners in the end.
Can Hadfield bring the heat to get back on the winner's list, or will Glenroy keep on rolling?
Roxburgh Park will head to Willowbrook Reserve to take on Westmeadows with both sides sitting at 2-1.
The Magpies have won two on the trot, their last a 17-point win over Hadfield.
Westy, meanwhile, lost its first game last week in a 51-point loss to Glenroy.
Ethan Derrick kicked three goals in Roxy's win last week and has been a key recruit with 21 disposals and seven score involvements a game.
Travis Cooke (26 disposals, 10 intercepts) is another whose influence must be curbed if you're Westmeadows.
Aaron Evans went down with injury last week and will leave a big gap to fill if he's to miss time.
Jordan Kosteas has spent more time around the ball, while the inclusion of Jack Bullock (22 disposals, six tackles) has complemented Nathan Sparks (22 disposals, seven tackles).
Can Westy respond against a Roxy side with momentum?
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
GREENVALE v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
DEER PARK v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
PASCOE VALE v ABERFELDIE
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Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v EAST KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
WEST COBURG v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Jacana Reserve
OAK PARK v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 4:30pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
HADFIELD v GLENROY
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
