With a logjam in the top four, there’s plenty on the line through the last few weeks of the top flight.
Greenvale have been eyeing off a finals spot for a number of weeks now but will face stiff opposition this week when they play Keilor.
The Blues were able to do what they’ve done to most sides when they met the Jets earlier in the year winning by 64 points, led by Kane Barbuto who booted five majors in a best on ground performance.
Most of the sides vying for finals glory have at least two winnable games and Greenvale are no different, so while an upset would shake things up massively, a negative result this weekend won’t be the end of the world for Darren Bewick’s men.
Airport West stunned Aberfeldie to record their second win earlier in the season, and with the Eagles coming off a strong win against Pascoe Vale, they’ll be wanting to own the season series.
The Eagles held Pacco to just 39 points last weekend while Aberfeldie posted a five-goal victory against Douttas.
Justin Cappelletti kicked five goals among a swathe of contributors in this previous matchup while James Peters matched his effort with five up the other end.
Neither team may be vying for finals, but both sides will be looking to finish the season strong and set up for a big 2024.
Possibly the most enticing match of this round will take place at Lebanon Reserve when Strathmore plays Pascoe Vale.
A win for Strathmore could elevate them into double chance territory after sitting outside the top four just a few weeks ago.
The last time they met, Pascoe Vale took the chocolates with an eight-point victory in a see-sawing affair.
Over at Nipper Jordan Oval, Essendon Doutta Stars will play Maribyrnong Park with the Lions still a small chance to escape relegation.
They sit two wins behind Avondale Heights who have a tough run home, so a win this week and another next week against Airport West could do the job. That said, the Eagles have been competitive with the best.
Marby won their only game for the year against Douttas with a thumping 51-point victory.
In the final game, East Keilor will play Avondale Heights at Overland Reserve.
With the top five likely set, there are some pivotal matchups that could shake the final positions up.
Roxburgh Park will head to Jacana to play Tullamarine, and while Roxy’s finals hopes may be dashed, Tulla are still playing to keep their spot in Division One.
They’re just one win clear so while it’s no guarantee that other results will displace them, they can’t take their safety for granted.
It was a close contest the last time they met with an inaccurate Roxy winning by just nine points.
Following the news that Charlie Denaro won’t continue coaching Hillside in 2024, the boys from Shark Park will want to send off the loyal clubman well in 2023.
Deer Park won’t make it easy for them having won their last four games by an average of just under 100.
Hillside were able to stay in this contest in Round 7 heading into the final change tied, before the Lions powered their way to a six-goal final term to take the win.
St Albans will be looking to rectify a tough loss to West Coburg when they face Rupertswood.
The Saints are sitting fifth with Rupo third and flying with six wins on the trot.
The last time they met was a thriller with St Albans taking the points with a four-point victory in a game that was level right the way through.
Dean Galea didn’t feature in that matchup and will provide a fresh headache for the St Albans defence, having kicked 49 goals from just 12 games this season.
Westmeadows kept their hopes of staying in Division One alive with a big win over Glenroy last week and will face a Craigieburn outfit looking to finish the season as close to a finals berth as possible.
While they most likely won’t feature in September with a hefty percentage differential to make up, it’s been a great turnaround for the Eagles.
The turnaround for Westy has not been the one they want, but some wins to finish the season could see them playing Division One next year.
Craigieburn won by 43 points the last time they met.
In other games, Glenroy will play Moonee Valley, and West Coburg will play Keilor Park.
Nena and Pasadena EDFL Match of the Day will head to Lionheart Reserve to see Taylors Lakes play Hadfield.
The Lions have dominated these matchups throughout the season and will be hoping for more of the same with the minor premiership up for grabs after locking in a top-two finish.
Coburg Districts are clinging onto the top four by a game and will face a tough task when they play Oak Park.
The Lions are one game ahead of Sunbury Kangaroos and will need to better their 0-2 record against Oak Park to ensure they maintain their spot.
Oak Park won by 25 points the first time they played and 15 the next, can Coburg Districts continue that improvement this week?
Hot on the heels of Coburg Districts in fourth place, Sunbury Kangaroos could give themselves every opportunity of pushing into the top four with a win against Burnside Heights.
The two meetings between these two sides have been close, with the Bears winning by three points in Round 1, and the Kangaroos winning by 12 points in Round 8.
A win for the Bears however, could give them a chance to steal fourth. Should Coburg Districts lose, they could jump into the four with a win against the Lions in the final round if Sunbury Kangaroos don’t beat Oak Park.
In the final game, Northern Saints will host East Sunbury.
These sides met at Charles Mutton Reserve in Round 1 in a shootout, with the Saints winning by 20 points in the end.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
GREENVALE v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
AIRPORT WEST v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hansen Reserve
STRATHMORE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
EAST KEILOR v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
DEER PARK v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
TULLAMARINE v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Jacana Reserve
ST ALBANS v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
GLENROY v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Willowbrook Reserve
WEST COBURG v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v HADFIELD
🎥 Cluch TV
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Lionheart Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v OAK PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
