By Luke Mathews
Airport West will be hoping to continue their winning form when they travel to Canning Reserve to take on Avondale Heights.
After Round 7, this game loomed as a potential eight-point relegation game, however the Eagles have turned their season around picking up four wins and one draw from their last six games.
Avondale Heights' season on the other hand continues to disappoint with the side being thumped by East Keilor only days after sacking coach Paddy Byrne.
The two sides faced off only six weeks ago when the Eagles overcame a three quarter time deficit to record a 19-point victory thanks to five final-quarter goals.
If the Eagles want to continue their push for finals, Brendan Godden will need to continue his superb form.
Since coming back into the side, the forward has made the most of his opportunities and kicked two goals last week against Essendon Doutta Stars in difficult circumstances.
Another impactful performance will go a long way in helping his side play a part in September.
Aberfeldie will be hoping to cement their spot inside the top five when they take on Essendon Doutta Stars at Clifton Park.
A win on Saturday would at least maintain their 14-point buffer inside the five with only four games left to play, which should ensure they return to finals after a disappointing 2023 campaign.
After starting the season so promisingly with three wins from their first six games, Douttas' form has dropped away with only one win from their last seven games which came against cellar dwellers Avondale Heights back in Round 11.
Last time the two sides came up against each other it was Abers that came away with a 17-point victory in a tight tussle.
If Douttas want to get back on the winner's list, Ben Ronke will be the one to stop for the home side.
The prized offseason recruit is looming as a potential Reynolds Medallist after his 25 disposal, eight clearance, four goal, best on ground performance against Deer Park only one week ago.
Another dominant display against the Stars would ensure his side features in September action.
Strathmore will host Keilor in one of the most highly anticipated clashes this season at Lebanon Reserve.
Once again the Blues have been unstoppable in 2024 winning every game and boasting a percentage of 313.
The Mores on the other hand are building nicely towards another tilt at a premiership and a third straight grand final.
After losing two of their first three, last year’s runners up have dropped just the one game to Pascoe Vale and are sitting inside the top two on percentage.
When the two sides squared off on Good Friday, it was Keilor who got their season off to the perfect start, cruising to a 49-point victory thanks to Chris Kosmas (six goals).
If Strathmore want to have any chance of giving Keilor their first loss in 2024, it’ll need to start with stopping Kane Barbuto.
The premiership captain has been in fine form once again with 29 goals from 13 games in 2024 including eight in his last two games.
If the superstar gets on top once again, the Blues will be well on their way to another minor premiership.
East Keilor will be hoping to make it two wins in a row for the second time in 2024 when they take on Deer Park at Overland Reserve.
Both teams appear to have avoided the relegation threat but haven’t had the year they would have hoped for, with Deer Park sitting in ninth spot and East Keilor in seventh.
When East Keilor travelled to John McLeod Reserve earlier in the year, it was the Cougars who overturned a quarter-time deficit to run away with a comfortable 26-point victory.
The big watch at Overland Reserve will be on Lachlan Smart and how he fairs against his old side.
The former Lion has proved to be a shrewd piece of recruiting with 33 goals from just 11 games including two goals against Deer Park earlier in the year.
The forward is in fine form with four goals in each of his last two games and will need to kept quiet if Deer Park want to get their revenge.
Pascoe Vale will be hoping to move back up the ladder when they take on Greenvale at Raeburn Reserve.
After a strong start to the year, Pascoe Vale sit in third spot on the ladder with losses to Aberfeldie and Keilor in recent weeks, while Greenvale are clinging onto a finals spot in fifth position.
The two teams last met in Round 8 when Pascoe Vale won their seventh game of the year by five goals thanks to a six-goal opening term.
If the Panthers want to secure the four points and maintain their safety inside the top three, Ahmed Saad will need to hit the scoreboard once again.
The forward has been one of the Panthers' best in 2024 with 28 goals from just nine games.
If Saad keeps up the form that saw him kick six goals in his last two games, then Pascoe Vale will give themselves every chance of securing a home final.
By Joseph Ibic
Top of the ladder West Coburg will play Rupertswood at Shore Reserve this weekend to kick off Division One action.
The two sides have met once this season back in Round 6, a game in which West Coburg came out on top defeating Rupertswood by a staggering 148 points.
Since that match, West Coburg have continued their great form by winning all their following matches, while Rupertswood have struggled having won just the two games since.
The Burgers made it 10 wins in a row on the weekend after defeating Roxburgh Park by 62 points and pose an ominous threat for Rupo.
On the other hand, Rupertswood had a disappointing loss to Moonee Valley on the weekend, going down by nine points and leaving themselves in second last position on the ladder.
As a result, they will be desperate to claw in some wins before the season is over to move up the ladder, but face a tough task against arguably the best team in the competition right now.
Craigieburn hosts Moonee Valley at DS Aitken Reserve this Saturday in a crucial clash.
A once promising season for Craigieburn has now almost completely fallen apart after they lost to Hillside by 72 points last weekend, their seventh loss in a row.
The Eagles currently sit in seventh position on the ladder with just four wins, despite looking like a potential finals chance early on in the year.
The clash will be the first time the two sides have met this season and it looms as an important match for both sides as Craigieburn look to end their winless streak, while Moonee Valley look to seize the opportunity against an out of form side to move further away from the threat of relegation.
Moonee Valley secured a hard-fought victory over Rupertswood by nine points last weekend to leapfrog them on the ladder, moving the Valley up to ninth spot.
Despite the victory being just their third of the season, Moonee Valley will believe they can win back to back games this weekend as they take on a team who is low on confidence.
Hillside takes on Tullamarine at Hillside Recreation Reserve this weekend.
It was a big win for Hillside last weekend who managed to get back on the winner's board in style, defeating Craigieburn by 72 points.
The Sharks had near perfect defence throughout the game only letting Craigieburn score four goals, but the same couldn't be said for Tullamarine who went down to Marby by 110 points.
The last time these sides met was back in Round 5 where Hillside came out on top by 27 points, kicking away in the end against a Tullamarine side that challenged for much of the day.
Wins are crucial for both sides as we approach finals with Hillside looking for the double chance, and Tulla hoping to return to postseason action.
Oak Park will face off against Keilor Park at JP Fawkner Reserve.
The last few weeks have seen Oak Park find some incredible form and they will be looking to continue that as they come back from the bye this week.
The Oakers have won their previous three games and will see Saturday's game as another very winnable match.
This week’s match will mark the first time the sides have met since the 2022 Division Two grand final.
Oak Park will want a win to stay in the hunt for a top five finish, while Keilor Park are in desperate need of a victory to try and escape relegation.
Roxburgh Park will battle it out with Maribyrnong Park at Lakeside Reserve.
Roxy were defeated by 62 points by West Coburg last weekend and it won’t get any easier this weekend as they take on another formidable side.
The Magpies haven’t won since before their bye in Round 11, while Marby Park are running hot after defeating Tulla by 110 points last weekend, another addition to a growing list of triple figure victories.
The two sides last met back in Round 6 of this season when Marby Park came out victorious by 118 points.
Since then, Roxburgh Park seem to have struggled with form, while Marby Park have only gotten stronger.
By Joseph Ibic
Northern Saints will take on Taylors Lakes at Charles Mutton Reserve this Saturday.
The Saints will be hungry to bounce back after suffering a 51-point loss to Burnside Heights last weekend, managing just the five goals for the entire match.
These two sides met back in Round 7 with Taylors Lakes coming out on top by seven points.
Since that match, Taylors Lakes have continued to be one of the teams to beat as they sit on top of the ladder, while Northern Saints have improved greatly having lost just the one game since.
Taylors Lakes' season has almost been perfect with the Lakers having lost just the one match for the year and are the team to beat, which is just what the Northern Saints will be desperate to do as they continue their hunt for a finals berth.
Hadfield hosts Coburg Districts at Martin Reserve this weekend.
The Hawks are coming off a 45-point loss to Taylors Lakes last week in which they managed just the four goals and will be wanting to bounce back against the Lions.
The last time these two sides played each other was back in Round 11 when Coburg Districts came out on top by 31 points.
Districts are coming off a 21-point win over Sunbury Kangaroos and will be looking to secure wins in their last three games of the season to ensure they finish top four.
The last time these two sides played each other was back in Round 11 when Coburg Districts came out on top by 31 points.
Coburg Districts will be confident of defeating Hadfield for the second time this season but will also be sure not to take them or any other team lightly.
Glenroy will face off against Sunbury Kangaroos at Sewell Reserve.
Glenroy recorded a shock result last week defeating third place Westmeadows by 14 points.
The win was a huge result for Glenroy who sit in second last spot and their only previous wins being against the last-placed East Sunbury.
While the win definitely comes too late for them to make a charge for finals, it demonstrates they have improved over the course of the season and will have something to build on for next year.
These sides previously met back in Round 8 of this season when Sunbury Kangaroos came out on top in a thriller by just four points.
Since then Glenroy appear to have found some of their best form of the season, while the Kangaroos have been in some of their worst form – setting the scene for an intriguing clash between two sides hungry for a win.
East Sunbury will play Burnside Heights at John McMahon Reserve this Saturday night.
These sides met back in Round 4 where Burnside came out on top in a 134-point thrashing.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
AVONDALE HEIGHTS v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Canning Reserve
ABERFELDIE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
STRATHMORE v KEILOR
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Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
EAST KEILOR v DEER PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
PASCOE VALE v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Raeburn Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at DS Aitken Reserve
HILLSIDE v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
OAK PARK v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
ROXBURGH PARK v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 2:15pm at Lakeside Reserve
WEST COBURG v RUPERTSWOOD
Saturday 2:15pm at Shore Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
HADFIELD v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Martin Reserve
GLENROY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 7:00pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
