By Luke Mathews
Greenvale will host Airport West at Section Road in what looms as an evenly poised battle between two sides looking to make a push for a finals berth.
Both sides are 1-2 from their first three matches in 2025, however Airport West have lost its last two outings while Greenvale got its first four points against Pascoe Vale last week.
Last time out it was the red-hot Eagles that got the better of the Jets, winning by 52 points with Tyson Young and Matthew Hanson combining for 95 disposals.
For Greenvale to win on Saturday, they’ll be needing to replicate the same efficiency inside 50 that they had last week against Pascoe Vale.
Despite having only 36 inside 50s last week, the Jets were still able to conjure 15 scoring shots.
A similar efficiency on Saturday will go a long way in helping Darren Bewick’s men get their second win for the year.
Deer Park will be looking to bounce back when they return to John McLeod Reserve to take on Essendon Doutta Stars.
Both sides have just the one win for the year with Douttas showing plenty of positives in all three matches, while Deer Park have been inconsistent to start the season.
When they last met, it was Deer Park that came from 26 points down at three quarter time to win by 20 points, kicking seven goals in the last quarter while holding Douttas scoreless.
For Deer Park to win, they’ll need to stop Bailey Ryan. The sharpshooter had a day out last week, kicking 10 goals and collecting 32 disposals in a best-on-ground performance.
The Lions backline was well beaten last week and will need a much better performance on Saturday if they want to come out on top.
Aberfeldie will take on Keilor in a blockbuster game between two of the competition's fiercest rivals.
The two powerhouses couldn’t have done much more to start 2025, both starting 3-0 to occupy the top two positions on the ladder.
The two sides met back in Round 12 last year with Keilor cruising to a 69-point victory with captain Kane Barbuto kicking five goals to help power his side to victory.
For Abers to win, they’ll need to find a way to breakdown Keilor’s rock-solid backline.
The Blues have given up scores of just 55, 36, and 49 to start the season with Brad Xavier, James Bailey, and Lachlan McArthur rarely beaten this year.
Abers' forward line does pose plenty of threats and will need to find a way of kicking a big score if they want to cause an upset.
Maribyrnong Park will be at home again when they take on Pascoe Vale in what looms as an intriguing clash to see where both sides are at.
Marby stunned the competition last week beating Deer Park by 29 points, while Pascoe Vale lost for the second week in a row going down to Greenvale in a game they should’ve won.
A win on Saturday for the Lions would move them to 3-1 firming for a potential finals push, while Pascoe Vale will be hoping to avoid the dreaded 1-3 start.
For Pascoe Vale to get back on the winner’s list, they’ll need a much more clinical performance in front of goal.
The Panthers dominated all facets of the game last week, winning inside 50s by 35 and clearances by 27, but couldn’t get the job done, kicking 7.18.
Caleb Ernst, Ibby Taha, and Jayden Ranno will need to fire around the ground again to help their side square the ledger.
East Keilor will take on Strathmore at Overland Reserve on Saturday.
Strathmore was the closest anyone has come to beating Keilor this year, but still went down by 55 points on Good Friday, while East Keilor were well beaten again by Essendon Doutta Stars.
The two sides last faced off in the final round of 2024, with the Mores winning by 110 points after a nine-goal opening term helped set up a comfortable victory.
One to watch on Saturday will be Athan Tsialtas. The superstar has had a solid start to 2025 kicking seven goals in his three games but was well held by Brad Xavier on Good Friday.
A number of players have kicked big bags against the Cougars in 2025 and the sharpshooter will be hoping he can join that list.
By Ben Parker
Avondale Heights hosts Hillside in an intriguing clash at Canning Reserve.
The Heights come into this clash in strong form and currently sit on fourth sport on the ladder. Meanwhile, the Sharks have started slowly at 0-3 and simply must win this week.
After an emphatic 59-point win over Taylors Lakes last week, Avondale are proving their finals credentials.
With scintillating ball movement and a forward line clicking exceptionally well, the Sharks' back six will have to be disciplined and on their game.
Jackson Robb and Bailey Williamson are the two to watch again this week for the heights. Averaging 31 disposals each, they are powering the Heights up the Division One rankings and will look to dominate again this week.
The Sharks are still desperately seeking their first win of the season, and a win here away from home would certainly erase the disappointment of the last three weeks.
Injuries have hit Hillside pretty hard this season and it would love to welcome back skipper Zak Wunhym this week among others.
St Albans will travel to the lions den this week to take on a hungry Taylors Lakes.
After a disappointing 10-goal loss to the Heights last week, the Lions will be on the move quickly, looking to make amends.
While being simply outclassed last week, they’re back at home and will come out firing.
Chris Vulic has starred for the Lions so far this season. Averaging the 31 disposals, with 19 of these being contested, this inside bull will need to monitored closely, especially if he gets off the chain early.
Meanwhile, St Albans are flying. In scintillating form and sitting on top of the ladder, they’ve proved that they are a force to be reckoned with this year.
Mason Dipetta is fresh of a bag of five goals on Good Friday against the Sharks.
The livewire forward is a tricky matchup and it will be interesting to see who gets sent to him this week with so many forward half threats.
Ormond Park plays host to the clash between Moonee Valley and West Coburg.
After a disappointing Round 1 loss, the Burgers have won two on the trot and have made their way back into familiar territory within the finals landcsape.
They are presented with a real gettable game this week and will look to pounce.
With stars Tom Baravi and Dinny Cleary asserting themselves early with hot starts to the season, the Fog will have it all to do.
By no means are Moonee Valley out of this contest. They’ve shown that their best footy is good enough to match it with some of the better sides of the competition.
With strong patches of footy against Taylors Lakes and Craigieburn, a full four-quarter performance could see them right in this game.
A twilight match has been set for what’s an interesting clash between Roxburgh Park and Tullamarine at Lakeside Reserve.
With both sides still searching for their first win of 2025, a tight and contested contest is anticipated.
After being obliterated by 111 points by West Coburg last week, Roxburgh Park will be keen to respond.
Glimpses of what their best footy likes like was seen against Craigieburn in Round 2 where they only went down by 10 points.
Meanwhile Tullamarine, who matched it with premiership favourites Oak Park last week for two and half quarters, will sniff a victory here if they can get on top early.
With their best clearly being good enough to get the job done here, they may come in as favourites for this clash, but expect a cracking contest if Roxy bring their best.
Oak Park hosts Craigieburn under its new lights this week at JP Fawkner Reserve.
The Kangaroos have had a dominant start to the season and will look to continue on with their winning ways this week.
Fresh off a six-goal win over Tullamarine where they presented footy far from their best, the Roos will want to put a full four-quarter performance on the board.
Meanwhile Craigieburn have had a somewhat inconsistent start to their year.
The Eagles battled hard against the Saints, but only just got over the top of Moonee Valley and Roxburgh Park. They simply must bring their best footy this week if they want to be competitive.
A contest between two very different sides, at different stages, the result will be fascinating.
By Evan Tudor
Round 4 of Strathmore Community Bank Division Two football kicks off at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve when second placed Keilor Park takes on fourth placed Burnside Heights.
Both sides enter this match with two wins and a loss, only percentage separates the two.
Coming off a two-point win in an Anzac Day thriller against Coburg Districts, the Bears hope to show some added dominance on the scoreboard this week.
Trailing by 19 at the first break the Bears came back to level the scores at the final change before scoring two goals to one to hold on and win.
It was Jacob Elia’s day as he kicked four, closely followed by teammate Andrej Krunic with three.
The pair have been the highlight of the Bears’ opening three games, scoring 15 goals between them.
But a dominant Keilor Park outfit looks to spoil Burnside’s unbeaten run.
Keilor Park are also entering this match with a run of their own.
After dropping their first game in a Round 1 nailbiter, the Devils have won consecutive games by 31 and 45 points.
The Devils will enter this match the favorites and the home ground advantage makes them poised to go three on the trot.
Jarod Pontin is one to look out for in this match.
With a nine-goal start to his 2025 season, Pontin put seven of those on in Round 2’s triumph over Coburg Districts and he hopes to reactivate in this Saturday's match.
East Sunbury returns home to face the undefeated ladder leaders Glenroy at John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
After two weeks off, the Thunder hope to regroup and return to form that was displayed in Round 1’s 66-point win over the Kangaroos.
Kicking seven that day, Josh Crump will be one to watch as he takes on the unbeaten Glenroy defensive line.
Glenroy has been one of the surprises of the 2025 season so far with an undefeated status.
Addam Maric has the Roys in tune to start the season which was displayed on Anzac Day.
The Roys trailed at all the breaks against Westmeadows and were 18 down at the final change.
An eight-goal-to-one final quarter surge saw them over the line by 26 points in an Anzac Day classic.
All 10 goal scorers from that match will pose trouble for East Sunbury.
But if the Thunder bring their Round 1 form to this match, it will certainly be one to watch.
Round 4 continues as Hadfield travels to Cole Reserve to take on Coburg Districts.
Both teams are placed sixth and seventh respectively with a 1-2 record and look to equal it with a win in this game.
After losing a close Anzac Day matchup with Burnside Heights in wet and cold conditions, Coburg Districts hope to return to its winning ways of Round 1.
The Lions showed dominance in Round 1 with a 37-point win over Westmeadows with Jack McNamara kicking seven.
He’s been quiet since, kicking just a single goal in their next two matches and will look to fire up this weekend.
With many District players demonstrating their best efforts in last Friday's two-point loss, Coburg Districts haven’t ruled themselves out of this one.
But will it be the visitors who prevail?
After its nail-biting two-point loss to the Sunbury Kangaroos, Hadfield will look to make amends for two consecutive losses as well.
Seven goal kickers in that Round 3 loss show that they can be all over the ball, but inaccurate shots at goal might indicate the reason why they didn’t get over the line.
Hawks star Sam Godden will be one to look out for in this match.
He’s kicked six so far to start his 2025 campaign, including three in Round 2 against the Bears.
Being named one of the best-on-ground in all matches so far indicates courageous efforts. So much so that he might help Hadfield over the line in this one.
Hadfield won by two goals the last time these sides met in Round 15 of last season.
The Sunbury Kangaroos will take on the Northern Saints at Eric Boardman Reserve as part of Round 4 footy.
Picking up their first win of the season, the Kangaroos carry the momentum into this clash with the Saints at home.
Led by Shawn Bowden and Jayden Eales who kicked three and two respectively last week, the Kangas have found their mojo heading into this match.
The Kangaroos will be hoping to make it two on the trot and redeem their disappointing start to the season.
The Northern Saints on the other hand will be hoping to see some positive changes in form in this match.
With three straight losses, the Saints are desperate to walk away winners for the first time in 2025.
If Sainters Khoder Taleb, Jehad Haddara, and vice-captain Nick Bruno combine again, we may be looking at a very interesting game.
Rupertswood return to football this weekend when they visit Weastmeadows at Willowbrook Reserve on Saturday.
Rupo will look for its third straight win when they challenge the Tigers at their home deck.
Placed third and fifth respectively, Rupo will be hoping its momentum carries through to this match.
Wins over Keilor Park and Sunbury Kangaroos kickstarted their year thanks to big bags from Ned Crotty (four goals), Clayton Bonello (four goals), and Fraser Phelan-Smith (eight goals), helped their side win by five and 31 points.
Rupertswood have goal kicking talent like no other, and will look to help the team get straight back into business to make it 3-0.
But will Westmeadows prevent such from happening?
While the Tigers are only 1-2, the 2024 grand finalist will be keen to find some consistency.
In Round 2 the Tigers belted goals left, right, and centre to take a 172-point win over East Sunbury, while fading out of the contest again Glenroy last week.
The Tigers led the Roys at all three breaks by 15, 14, and 18 points and were set to go all the way.
It wasn’t to be, but with Aaron Evans still kicking four in that clash, the Tigers look good to put up a good fight for Rupo.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
GREENVALE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
DEER PARK v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
ABERFELDIE v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
MARIBYRNONG PARK v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
EAST KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
ROXBURGH PARK v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 4:45pm at Lakeside Reserve
OAK PARK v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 7:00pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
KEILOR PARK v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v GLENROY
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Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
