By Luke Mathews
Maribyrnong Park will be looking to claim its first big scalp for 2026 when it takes on Aberfeldie at Clifton Park.
The Lions have had a stunning start to 2026 winning its first four games and are currently sitting in second spot.
Despite winning all of their matches so far, Brodie Holland’s men are yet to beat one of last year’s top three, Abers, Keilor, and Strathmore.
The Rillas undefeated streak came to an end last week, when they were overrun by a fired-up Pascoe vale outfit.
Marby’s last victory against Aberfeldie came back in Round 4, 2021, when the Lions won by just two points and it is their only win against them in the last 10 years.
One potential match up to look out for is between Brandon Ryan and Daniel Thompson if he's available for selection after missing last week.
After a solid first two weeks which yielded four goals, the full forward has bagged two seven-goal hauls in the past fortnight.
Abers’ backline continues to be brilliantly led by Daniel Thompson who has had to shoulder more of the load this season after the departure of Brodie Newman.
Whichever player gets on top this Saturday will likely go a long way in helping his side get over the line.
Keilor will be hoping to turn its season around when it squares off with Airport West at Joe Brown Oval.
The Blues are in unchartered territory having lost three of their first four matches despite winning all but five matches across the last three seasons.
The season hit a low point last weekend when the side was upset by a brilliant Essendon Doutta Stars outfit.
After a strong Round 1 performance, Airport West has struggled in its last three weeks and are yet to pick up its second win for the year.
Brent Taylor’s side will be out for revenge after they went down to Keilor in the preliminary final last year by 29 points.
For Keilor to win, it’ll need to stop Cooper Janevski.
In his three games the tall forward has booted seven goals which include a bag of three in Round 1 and another four on the weekend.
Keilor’s backline has been well beaten across the first month of the season and will need to lift if it wants to quell Janevski.
Greenvale will be hoping to lift itself off the bottom of the ladder when it takes on Deer Park at John McLeod Reserve.
After a good win against Hillside in Round 3, it was a step back for Anthony Rock’s side after they went down to Strathmore by 126 points.
It’s a similar story for Deer Park who have also won just the one game for the year which also came against Hillside in Round 2.
Jamie Madigan’s side had a slow start last week against Marby and ultimately paid the full price, going down by 33 points.
Last time out Greenvale knocked off the Lions by 23 points with Sam Zumbo kicking three goals, while Deer Park won the first clash by 68 points.
For Deer Park to win, it’ll need to take down Josh Porter.
The sharpshooter has been a presence up forward, booting eight goals in three games including four last week.
Deer Park has leaked goals so far in 2026, giving up three score of 100+ and two scores of more than 140.
The Lions defence will need to be much tighter this Saturday if it is any chance of stopping Greenvale’s main man.
Pascoe Vale will be looking to put an end to Strathmore’s winning streak when they square off at Lebanon Reserve.
Normal proceedings resumed for Pascoe Vale last week after a slip up against Keilor, defeating Aberfeldie by 21 points thanks to a six-goal final quarter blitz.
The win means Daniel Harris’ side is now sitting in third spot on the ladder and just a game behind first.
The Mores have recorded four wins on the bounce so far in 2026 and last week was arguably their most complete performance, knocking off Greenvale by 126 points.
In its two clashes last year, Strathmore won the first encounter by 21 points before the Panthers upset the eventual premiers by 14 points in Round 11.
The matchup to keep a close eye on this weekend is the ruck battle between Matthew Dennis and Sam Hayes.
The 2023 Reynolds medallist was at his dominant best last weekend, collecting 34 disposals, 40 hit outs, and nine marks.
Sam Hayes has been more than serviceable for Strathmore so far to start 2026, however he will face his toughest test this week when he takes on the competition’s premier ruckman.
Hillside will be looking to back up last week’s heroics when it takes on Essendon Doutta Stars at Shark Park.
Last week was a breakthrough moment for the Sharks, winning its first men's Premier Division match against Airport West by one point.
It has been a similar story for Douttas after they lost their first three matches before rousing win when they took down Keilor.
These two teams last met 11 years ago back in Division One with Douttas winning by 57 points on the way to claiming the premiership.
A win for either side would move them one game clear of bottom spot, however a loss for the Sharks could see them slip back down into last spot.
One for Hillside to try and curtail is Mitch Kalpakis.
The prized off-season recruit was at his brilliant best last week, collecting 31 disposals and 13 marks in a best-on-ground performance.
The Hillside midfielders, led by Connor Leeflang, stepped up last week and will need more of the same if they are to take down Douttas’ superstar.
By Eric Forman
Craigieburn will be hoping to get back on the winner's list when it hosts Avondale Heights at DS Aitken Reserve.
It was a first loss last week for Craigieburn in a narrow defeat to Oak Park, while Avondale Heights sit 3-1 after a strong first month of action.
The Eagles are the second best defensive team in the competition and will need to bring it against the Heights who are second in offense.
Avondale Heights averages over 33 scoring shots in their wins this year, 21 players hitting the scoreboard the highest spread of any side.
Nathan Foster is the man to watch, however, kicking 11 goals in two games thanks to last week's bag of seven.
Craigieburn enjoys a similar spread of contributors, the return of Brodie White proving to be a big boost at the nest.
White averages 23 disposals and eight score involvements per game and will be one to stop for the Heights.
They're a running side though, the Eagles, and Jai Robinson and Dayne Middleton provide a lot of drive out of their defensive half which will keep the Heights forwards on their toes going back the other way.
Craigieburn won the last meeting between these two sides, a 23-point victory in last year's elimination final.
An interesting contest awaits Leo Dineen Reserve as Tullamarine plays host to Taylors Lakes.
Both sides are coming into this off losses with the Lions looking to get their season on track, and the Demons looking to pick up a third win.
It's been a slow start for Steve Burns' men with a lack of continuity on-field, their only win coming against East Keilor.
They've struggled to get a winning score on the board in the three losses scoring 56, 76, and 64, an area they need more contributors in.
Danny Younan leads the scoring with 14 goals, followed by Korey Flavel-Wood with six.
Tullamarine enjoyed statement wins over Avondale Heights and Oak Park before last week's loss to West Coburg.
Lucas Scerri (25 disposals, eight clearances) and Zak Wunhym (27 disposals, nine clearances) have impressed in new colours and are two to watch in the middle.
They've benefited from the ruckwork of Nick Owens, an area Taylors lakes has struggled in without Lachlan Rayner who remains out.
Can the Lions bounce back, or will Tulla continue to impress?
East Keilor will play host to Oak Park at Overland Reserve.
The Kangaroos go in as heavy favourites sitting 3-1, while the Cougars are still without a win.
Errol McConnell returned to action for Oak Park last week with 22 disposals and nine clearances and adds another string to the Kangaroos' bow.
Zac Dicianni and Jackson Griffiths are two of the stronger contributors for the Cougars, along with 17-year-old Cooper Matthews who has kicked nine goals from four games.
The last time these sides met was in August, 2019, where the Cougars won by 71 points.
Rupertswood will look to bank its first four points when it hosts Moonee Valley at Salesian College.
The Sharks have been competitive without a win falling within four to six goals of their opponents.
The Fog on the other hand have enjoyed a strong start to 2026 with just one loss to their name.
Mitch Clarke has been key to their success with 20 goals from his first four games in black and white, while fellow recruit Nathan Williams (23 disposals, nine score involvements) has been strong as well.
Callum Clinnick will be another to watch in the middle with the new skipper relishing the new responsibility.
For Rupertswood, Jackson Cardillo continues to be damaging back in Division One with 27 disposals, seven clearances, and five tackles per game.
Sean Hetherington and Luke Sultana add new dimensions to the midfield group, but up front is where they've struggled.
Freaser Phelan-Smith is Rupo's leading goal scorer with five majors, so they'll need to find more avenues if they're to find a first win.
EDFL action will return to Coburg City Oval when West Coburg hosts St Albans.
The Burgers have just the one loss to their name, while the Saints enter this one 2-2.
West Coburg has had key players miss parts of the opening month of action, but Ruairi Cleary and Muhammad Saad have stood out in all four matches so far.
Cleary is coming off a 40-disposal, 18-mark game last week, while Saad has averaged 27 disposals and eight score involvements per game.
There is offensive firepower up the other end as well, however, with Mason Dipetta (12 goals), Hok Marial (11 goals), and Jacob Hunt (nine goals) working well together for the Saints.
St Albans have impressed to start the season, while the Burgers are looking to flex their premiership credentials.
Who will get the chocolates as old mates Shaun Thompson and Cole Harvey go head to head?
By Leroy de Villiers
Burnside Heights continues the search for its first win when it plays host to Sunbury Kangaroos.
The Bears have been competitive in patches to start the season, while the Kangaroos are 2-2 after losing their last two matches.
There has been plenty of youth blooded at Tenterfield Drive, Toby Pullens and Cade Anset two that are making an impact.
Pullens is averaging 20 disposals and four clearances per game, while Anset is their leading goal kicker with 10 majors.
They'll be looking to lift their side along with experienced pair Anthony Petrarca and Lachlan Evans to give them a chance.
John Corso, Mitch Streiff, and Mitch Kook continue to be three for the Kangaroos that star, but inaccuracy has been an issue in their two losses.
If the Bears can put four quarters together, they'll feel they're a chance.
If the Kangaroos can finish in front of goal, they'll be hard to stop.
Keilor Park and East Sunbury are both looking to make it three wins in a row when they play at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
The Devils have picked up wins against Northern Saints and Sunbury Kangaroos, while the Thunder have put away the Kangaroos and Burnside Heights.
After two hefty losses to start the season, Keilor Park has corrected its course with Jai Bahnert a major factor.
Bahnert has been a bull in the contest, averaging 35 disposals, eight tackles, and six clearances per game.
He'll be one to watch with Shylo Smith who has been able to impact around the ball and on the scoreboard.
Robbie Gray has unsurprisingly been a force for East Sunbury, but the Thunder has also welcomed Rusi Komaitai in the ruck to free up Todd Elton inside forward 50.
The ruck battle between Komaitai and Sam Pontin will be one to watch with Komaitai using his physicality, and Pontin using his athleticism.
One side will make it three on the bounce and move their record into the positive.
Roxburgh Park will meet with Northern Saints in an intriguing battle at Lakeside Reserve.
The Saints are still searching for their first win, but have been a much better side than their record suggests.
The Magpies on the other hand have recovered from a Round 1 loss in style winning three in a row, their most recent over Westmeadows.
Andrew Capuana (24 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances) and Luke Smith (23 disposals, five tackles, five clearances) have won it at the source for Roxburgh Park and will be two to be mindful of.
This has fed the footy down to Teronne Roberts-Potter who sits second in the goal kicking tally with 18 majors.
The Saints have goal kicking power of their own with Nick Bruno kicking 16 for the season.
The inclusions of Ezzat Haddara and Hisham Kerbatieh have adding grunt and class around the ground but they just haven't been able to get over the line.
Is this the week it all gels for the Saints, or will Roxburgh Park move to 4-1?
Someone's perfect start will come to an end at Sewell Reserve when undefeated sides Glenroy and Coburg Districts come together.
Both sides have been dominant to start the 2026 season, and although the two have contested a draw at Sewell Reserve before, a first loss is the likely outcome for one of the sides.
The Roys have met the pre-season hype, responding when they've been challenged in-game, and putting the pedal to the metal when they get on top.
Nick Maric has been a big boost for coach and brother Addam, kicking three goals and collecting over 30 touches in each of his two games.
He and Daniel Micevski are dangerous, goal-kicking midfielders that have added to their already healthy top-end.
The Lions, on the other hand, are the highest scoring team in the competition with young gun Curtis Rawlings (20 goals) the most prolific goal scorer in the competition.
The young gun has built off a strong 2025 season to create headaches for defenders alongside Jack McNamara.
Last year's leading goal kicker missed last week and will be a big inclusion if available.
This one should be a belter.
Hadfield is looking to end its losing streak when it hosts Westmeadows at Martin Reserve.
The Hawks have lost three competitive contests in a row after a Round 1 victory, while the Tigers are also coming in off a loss.
Trent Cotchin is no longer able to take part due to injury, but his presence at a luncheon will attract a large crowd hoping to see Hadfield bounce back.
Sam Godden, Josh Trembearth, and Jake Polizzi remain Hadfield's highest rated players, but Mohammed Moustafa will create a new problem for Westmeadows defenders.
Moustafa has returned to senior action with 15 goals from four games.
Hadfield's next best in front of goal is Stephen Mihelakos-James with five majors to his name, so the Hawks will need more contributors in front of goal to give themselves a chance.
Westmeadows' two losses have been without reigning league best and fairest Aaron Evans whose front half damage is irreplacable.
That said, there are plenty of levers for Ash Flavel to pull and experienced players to look toward when you think of Ryan Capron, Jake Hatton, Nathan Sparks, and Jordan Kosteas.
An interesting watch will be ruck Rhys Gleisner going gainst his former side for the first time.
Can't make it? Watch the game live on Streamer's Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day coverage.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
KEILOR v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
DEER PARK v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
STRATHMORE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
HILLSIDE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:45pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
TULLAMARINE v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
EAST KEILOR v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
WEST COBURG v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Coburg City Oval
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
KEILOR PARK v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Reserve
HADFIELD v WESTMEADOWS
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
GLENROY v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
