Deer Park will make their highly anticipated debut in Premier Division when they unfurl their Division One flag against the reigning premiers in Keilor at John McLeod Reserve.
It’ll be the first look at a Deer Park outfit that has experienced some personnel changes, while Keilor were able to secure a comfortable victory against Strathmore on Good Friday.
Jamie Madigan will lead the Lions for his first game since returning to the club and despite not having some key premiership stars at his disposal, he’ll be able to unleash some of their new recruits.
While we’ll need to wait until team selection, Jamieson House, Mason Crozier, Steven Georgiou, Anthony and Majak Daw serve as some of the new faces expected to run out for the Lions with others reliant on VFL selection.
Deer Park would love to make a statement in their opening game, but they face an ominous task against a Keilor outfit that hasn’t lost since the 2022 finals series.
They controlled the grand final rematch on Good Friday for three quarters and were able to pile on goals as ruthlessly as we’ve come to expect.
Josh Honey and Cody Brand highlighted a selective recruiting list for the Blues but weren’t as dominant as they’ll no doubt show throughout the season which is encouraging for Keilor’s ceiling.
Jermarl Daly swapped with Blair Wyllie in the ruck which was an effective move at ground level, but aerially is where they may get exposed with Scott Greenhough lining up across the centre circle.
Considering the strength of Keilor’s midfield however, that advantage could be mitigated.
We know what to expect from Keilor, but Deer Park at this stage is an unknown that will receive the ultimate test.
Two sides that will be looking to push into the finals conversation will face off at Hansen Reserve with Airport West taking on Aberfeldie.
Airport West enjoyed a competitive first season back in the top flight while Aberfeldie were out of the finals race for the first time in a long time.
The Eagles will be led by Brent Taylor and boast a number of new recruits, VFL stalwart Matt Hanson highlighting those who could pose to be among the league’s best if he can stay on the park.
Aberfeldie on the other hand have welcomed back some homegrown juniors with Brodie Newman among those, as well as Ben Ronke who will serve as co-coach alongside Clay Illman who stepped up for Adam Marcon.
The two blues will be wanting to get some greater consistency out of their 22 week-to-week to work their way back into the finals but will face a hungry Airport West outfit.
Greenvale are another side looking to regain their place in finals footy and start their campaign against Avondale Heights at Section Road.
The Jets weren’t all that active in the offseason unlike Avondale Heights who strayed away from attracting VFL-aligned players to enjoy consistent features from their new faces.
Paddy Byrne returns as head coach and will want to bring this Heights outfit off the bottom end of the ladder.
The Heights were the worst defensive side in the competition in 2023 and conceded 120 points per game in their two meetings with the Jets.
There’ll be a smattering of new faces for the Heights who will be wanting to take it up to Greenvale and start their season on a positive note.
Overland Reserve will be treated to an elimination final rematch when East Keilor play host to Strathmore.
The Mores are coming off a loss to Keilor on Good Friday but will take confidence out of a dominant second quarter that worked them back into the contest.
Nick Ash unleashed Trent Dumont who was among a few really strong performers for Strathmore in his debut, with Carlos Egan another who single-handedly produced moments of brilliance to keep the Mores in the contest.
Whether Shaun McKernan lines up or not will be an interesting watch at team selection, as well as Andrew Vavra to bolster their tall stocks – both missing the Good Friday clash.
The Cougars will have some new recruits on show following a full preseason under the new coaching regime of Pat Christofi and Ali Hamad.
Team selection will continue to be a tough juggle in terms of points but they’ll be confident they’ve addressed their depth issues while simultaneously increasing their top-end talent.
Strathmore won by 83 points in that elimination final in a forgettable day for the Cougars.
Premier Division concludes with twilight footy at Nipper Jordan Oval between Essendon Doutta Stars and Pascoe Vale.
Douttas have brought in a range of young talent who they’ll be hoping can add to the culture of their already youthful group, while also helping bring them out of the relegation battle.
They lost experience and their top-three best and fairest recipients over the summer but will be hoping they can carry the momentum they built with some strong performances to end 2023 into this contest.
Pascoe Vale, however, are far from an easy opponent for them to achieve that against who’ll have Leigh Tudor entering the fold looking to build on back-to-back prelims.
They’ve attracted some VFL-aligned talent as well as Ahmed Saad who’ll serve as a handy replacement for Brad Inglis in their forward half.
The Panthers won both 2023 contests against Douttas by nine goals.
Hillside and Craigieburn will each make their second appearance in 2024 when they face off at Shark Park.
Both sides will be looking to take their second win after convincing victories on Good Friday to start campaigns forecasted to improve on 2023.
The Sharks unleashed their new recruits highlighted by the experience of Robbie Castello and Fort and Nat Caruso.
Hillside were queuing up in a dominant display where they put up 34 scoring shots, but new coach Chris Daley will be hoping for better than putting one in three shots through for a goal.
The Eagles on the other hand worked their way into the game to run out with a strong win on the back of a strong second half.
We’ll have to wait and see if they can introduce more of their recruits like Jesse Davies to test themselves against a side touted to go deep into the season.
Moonee Valley will start their season at Ormond Park against an Oak Park outfit that started their season in a standalone fixture last week.
It will be the first time these sides have met since being in a battle for promotion from Division Two in the shortened 2021 season.
Oak Park were beaten comfortably by Marby in their first game since promotion and lacked a bit of polish, but will be hoping they were able to sharpen up with the hit out.
The Fog managed to bring in some handy inclusions as they look to exit no-man’s land where they’ve found themselves in the last couple of seasons.
The problem for them in 2023 was their slow start which saw them 0-5 before their first victory.
There’s no doubt Ian Denny would love to build some confidence for his group with a better start to 2024, while Todd Clark will love an improved performance to provide a similar confidence boost for his side.
Roxburgh Park and Keilor Park will also meet in their second showings with both sides looking for a win at Lakeside Oval.
The Magpies were able to control the first half of their Good Friday game against Craigieburn but not convert on the scoreboard which is an area they lost in the offseason.
Keilor Park meanwhile were only able to kick one goal against Hillside so both new coaches – Ross Terranova and Leigh Coles – will be hoping for improved offensive displays.
Two finalists from 2023 in Rupertswood and St Albans will face off at Salesian College.
While both were able to enter the postseason, each side enters the 2024 season with markedly different expectations.
St Albans were able to top up their list while Rupertswood experienced a mass exodus.
Brandon Coletta will return to Division One for the Saints and will be an interesting watch as to where the utility spends most of his time.
The Shoretress will play host to West Coburg and Maribyrnong Park, two sides regularly considered to be flag favourites heading into the season.
Brodie Holland’s Marby started their season with a strong win against Oak Park with many of their prized recruits showing out.
Lachie Plowman showed his class with the likes of the returning Sean Hetherington and Brodie Romensky immense.
Daniel Barnes will step up as head coach for his first game with a well-retained side, the same side that went through the regular season undefeated.
The Burgers weren’t active in topping up their list but were able to bring Muhammad Saad back to the club to add another dimension to an already dangerous forward half.
Romensky and Josh Cole are the only two Lions from last week’s game to have played in their last visit to Shore Reserve.
Burnside Heights and Hadfield will kick off the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two season when they meet at Tenterfield Drive under Friday night lights.
Both sides were busy over the offseason with Hadfield addressing their depth issues and Burnside Heights adding some size and experience.
Hadfield brought Jake Polizzi back to the club after a strong stint in Premier Division and included Sam Godden who is one that will combine well with Josh Trembearth in Hadfield’s engine room.
The Bears have brought in some tall stocks to give them options to kick to forward of the footy, while arguably upgrading their ruck position.
Hadfield still enter as a relative unknown but will certainly improve on last season under new coach Ange Lamanna, while the Bears have flown under the radar and will look to make their mark in Round 1.
Northern Saints will travel to Cumberland Road to face Coburg Districts in Round 1 action.
Coburg Districts will feature a range of new faces with incoming coach Charlie Denaro giving the group a refreshed approach after missing the 2023 finals series.
Tamer Abdallah’s Saints were the big improvers through the 2023 season and will be hungry to turn their lone finals appearance into a finals win at a minimum.
The Lions won both games against Northern Saints last season and haven’t dropped a game to them since May 2019.
Peter Dispenzeri, Eliot Kako, and Abdallah were all named in the best in that game and they’ll be hoping for more of the same on Saturday.
Lionheart Reserve will host a preliminary final rematch when Taylors Lakes look to make amends against Sunbury Kangaroos.
Both sides were busy over the break in their pursuit of promotion with some high quality players joining both sides.
Taylors Lakes welcomed a late addition in Lachie Rayner to an already strong list, with Ben Weightman also expected to light up the competition pending availability.
The Kangaroos lost Rhys Magin and Brody Watts from the grand final side but added a range of local talent who’ll increase their depth and bottom line.
It was a five-point contest in that preliminary final as both sides will no doubt be preparing for a similar slog.
East Sunbury and Westmeadows will meet at John McMahon Recreation Reserve as the Thunder chase their first win since returning from recession and Westmeadows turn a new page.
East Sunbury are confident on-field success will come this season as new coach Travis Bishop looks to steer them back to the heights they’ve reached before.
Westy meanwhile, will look to start again and build from within after a 2023 season hindered by player departures.
They enjoyed a positive finish to the season which would have given his young group confidence.
Both sides are somewhat unknown as to what they’ll produce this season and have a good opportunity against each other to start strong.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
DEER PARK v KEILOR
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Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
GREENVALE v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
EAST KEILOR v STRATHMORE
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 4:45pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
HILLSIDE v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Ormond Park
ROXBURGH PARK v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Oval
RUPERTSWOOD v ST ALBANS
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
WEST COBURG v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v HADFIELD
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Friday 7:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v NORTHERN SAINTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
