By Luke Mathews
Airport West have another great opportunity to test themselves when they come up against Aberfeldie at Clifton Park.
After losing their first seven games and the relegation threat looming large, the Eagles got their season back on track with wins against East Keilor and Avondale Heights before going down to Strathmore last week at home.
Aberfeldie on the other hand have bounced back from last year’s disappointment and sit two games clear inside the top four and another win would boost their chances of returning to September action.
The two sides last met in Round 1 and it was the Rillas who came out on top by 35 points thanks to eight goals from superstar Karl Brown in what was his last time suiting up.
The big watch will be on youngster Corey Barbaro and how he fairs against his old side for the first time.
The Aberfeldie junior switched sides late in the pre-season for more opportunities and has been a handy inclusion for the Eagles with seven goals in five games.
Greenvale will be hoping to make it two wins from two when they face off against Deer Park at John McLeod Reserve.
Last week despite having less scoring shots than opponents Avondale Heights, the Jets were able to record their fifth victory for the year, winning by 44 points.
Deer Park on the other hand are coming off a thumping loss to league heavyweights Keilor but did show positive signs in the previous weeks against Essendon Doutta Stars and Strathmore.
When the two sides met in Round 2, it was the Jets who cruised to their first win of the year, taking down Jamie Madigan’s side by 39 points at home thanks to four goals from full forward Josh Porter.
Ben Bath will be one to keep an eye on at John McLeod Reserve this week with Bath kicking three goals in their earlier clash to help steer his side to victory.
Since then, the forward has had a lean patch through the middle of the season but returned to form last week with six goals against the Heights in a dominant display and will be hoping to keep the strong form going this week against Deer Park.
Strathmore return to Lebanon Reserve for the first time since Round 18 last year when they take on neighbours Pascoe Vale in what looms to be the game of the round.
The two sides go into the game in second and third spot in a clash that could potentially shape their respective seasons.
Despite having a strong start to the year, the Panthers stumbled last week going down Aberfeldie by 17 points at home.
The Mores on the other hand recorded a comfortable 36-point victory against Airport West which saw them leapfrog their neighbours into second spot on the ladder.
The two sides last met in Round 2 which saw the Panthers come away with a comfortable 30-point victory despite some wayward kicking in front of goal.
Adam Figliola and Matthew Watson starred for the home side kicking three goals while Noah Scott played an important role in getting his team over the line.
If selected, Cooper Keogh will be the one to stop to ensure a Pascoe Vale victory.
The ruck played his first game for Strathmore last week and dominated with 44 hit outs, 17 clearances, two goals, and 29 touches, so if the 200 centimetre big man is available, Tom Hofert will have his hands full against a side sorely missing Andrew Vavra's presence.
Avondale Heights will be hoping to record their second win for the year when they take on Essendon Doutta Stars at Nipper Jordan Oval.
Its been a difficult year for the Heights with the side sitting in tenth spot on the ladder and only recording the one win for the year.
Their form has improved slightly in recent weeks but failed to take their chances in front of goal last week against Greenvale and kicked themselves out of the contest with eight goals and 16 behinds.
Douttas have avoided the threat of relegation and sit in sixth spot on the ladder with four wins for the year but will struggle to make a push for a finals berth especially after going down to ninth-placed East Keilor last week.
Last time the two sides met it was the Stars that came out on top by 41 points at Canning Reserve thanks to five goals each from Bailey Ryan and Declan Tully and will be hoping to do the same this Saturday.
After coming off their best win for the year, East Keilor will face the red-hot Keilor at Overland Reserve.
Mick McGuane’s side appear to be unstoppable in 2024, with five consecutive victories by 100 points or more and sit on top of the ladder with a perfect record of 10 wins and a percentage of 340.
Last week it was Deer Park who succumbed to the Blues pressure, going down by 131 points with Matthew Bartlett, Cody Brand, and Mitchell Ellis all starring for Keilor in the comprehensive victory.
East Keilor on the other hand caused an upset taking down Essendon Doutta Stars by 30 points at Nipper Jordan Oval for their third victory for the year.
The two sides met only four weeks ago when Keilor took down the Cougars by 184 points in the biggest win for any side in the competition this year.
While they are massive outsiders, East Keilor will be hoping to put up a much stronger performance when they face the ladder leaders for the second time this Saturday.
By Joseph Ibic
Oak Park will host Moonee Valley this weekend at JP Fawkner Reserve.
It’s been a tough last couple of weeks for Oak Park who have been smashed by two of the better teams in the competition and will see this match against Moonee Valley as a big opportunity to get back on the winner’s board.
The last time these sides met it was Moonee Valley who came out on top by 32 points all the way back in Round 1.
However, Oak Park have since been the more in-form side winning three games to the Fog’s one.
While Moonee Valley have only won the one game since their first-round victory, they have been inching closer to victory and only just lost to Roxburgh Park by 14 points last weekend.
The Valley currently sit ninth on the ladder eight points and two spots above last place.
As a result, they will want to win every game they possibly can, to avoid any chance of relegation.
The winless Keilor Park will play Tullamarine at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
Tullamarine were victorious by 50 points last time these two sides met back on ANZAC Day and Tulla have gone on to secure three wins since then and currently sit sixth on the ladder.
It’s been a great couple of weeks for Tulla who are on a two-game winning streak and will be confident of extending it this weekend, with a win potentially moving them into fifth spot.
St Albans will battle it out against West Coburg in what will be a huge contest at Kings Park Reserve.
The match is a battle between first and second with both sides having lost just the one match so far.
It is also the first time these two sides have played this year with both teams eager to prove their credentials.
St Albans are coming off a comfortable 69-point victory over Craigieburn last week, a team that had beaten them earlier in the year.
The win would’ve given St Albans immense confidence that they have grown as a team and still have room to grow.
West Coburg are sitting top of the ladder after coming off a 115-point win over Keilor Park this week.
They currently look to be the best side in the competition at the moment but will be looking to prove that against an impressive St Albans side this week.
Maribyrnong Park take on Craigieburn at Monk Oval this Saturday.
Marby Park had a shaky start to the year but have certainly worked their way into form over the course of the season.
They are currently on a five-game winning streak having not lost since Round 4 against St Albans.
The last two weeks have seen massive 90-plus point wins for Marby Park who continue their hunt for promotion back up to the Premier Division.
Craigieburn on the other hand have had a season that has been the opposite of Marby’s.
The Eagles started the season strong winning four of their first five games but have since lost four games in a row, with some of these losses coming against teams they had previously defeated.
Craigieburn will have a tough task trying to defeat an in-form premiership contender in Marby Park but will also believe there is no better time to get back in form than when playing against the best teams.
Jake Carlisle and John Bellino have requested transfers out to Wallan which will leave big shoes to fill for Shane Jacobs.
Rupertswood face off against Hillside at Salesian College this week.
It’s been a tough year for Rupertswood so far who have only won two games and currently sit in second-last place on the ladder.
They are on a three-game losing streak at the moment and ending that streak won’t be easy against a rampant Hillside.
Hillside started the year in incredible fashion winning their first seven games before a defeat to Marby Park handed them their first loss of the season.
They’ve played one game since then which was only a five-point win over Roxburgh Park potentially showing their good form at the start of the year may be over.
However, Hillside will back themselves to win this game and regain some lost momentum as they look to return to the top of the ladder which they have lost over the last few weeks.
By Eric Forman
Burnside Heights and Taylors Lakes are both looking to get back on the winner's list following their first defeats of the season last week.
The Bears went down to Westmeadows by 16 points while Taylors Lakes lost by 10 points to Coburg Districts as old mates Cole Harvey and Steve Burns will meet each other for the first time in 2024.
The two sides have still separated themselves from the pack despite those losses with the Bears and Lions both ranked in the top two in offense and defence.
Nick Gregson (27 goals) and Daniel Hovey (26 goals) have been strong in the Bears' key-position cohort and present strong challenges to the Lions' defence, while reliance will be placed on Christian Petersen, Raaf Rachrache, and Luke Nappi to fire up the other end against the number one defensive side.
Burns' men been punishing on the scoreboard averaging 108 points per game and will look to set a new season-high in points conceded for the Bears who leaked their highest total (88) last week.
An exciting clash looms at Charles Mutton Reserve with Northern Saints set to face Westmeadows.
Both teams are full of momentum with the Saints winning four of their last five in a steep resurgence, while Westy handed Burnside Heights their first loss of the season last week.
Northern Saints defeated 2023 grand finalist Sunbury Kangaroos by 66 points last week and are now eyeing off a finals spot despite their slow start to the season.
The Tigers took the four points by 39 points the last time these two met with Rex Hickman's six goals the major difference.
Westy proved they can not only compete against the top sides but also beat them, but they need to ensure they remain consistent and it won't be easy against a Northern Saints side eager to solidify themselves in the finals race.
Coburg Districts will be looking to retain their spot in the top four when they take on Hadfield at Cole Reserve.
The Lions dished out Taylors Lakes' first loss in their 10-point triumph last week which joined a long list of close contests.
It'll be their first time meeting Hadfield this year who are on the outside looking in to the top four with some competitive showings, but the Hawks will be keen to reduce the gap between their best and worst.
Both sides will look very different with new coaches and a smattering of new players, so despite each side picking up a win against the other last season, it'll be a strong challenge for both sides.
Can Coburg Districts put Hadfield away and stake their claim as a genuine finals threat or will Hadfield show their best is good enough to stay in the finals hunt?
The Local Cup between East Sunbury and Sunbury Kangaroos at John McMahon Recreation Reserve will round out Division Two action.
It hasn't been the season the Kangaroos were hoping for having lost four of their last five while the Thunder are yet to secure a win.
The Kangaroos took a 20-point win home with them the last time these sides met in the Thunder's closest contest for the season.
With East Sunbury having another tough season, you suspect Shanon Carroll will be keen for an improved performance this time around.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v AIRPORT WEST
Saturday 2:15pm at Clifton Park
DEER PARK v GREENVALE
Saturday 2:15pm at John McLeod Reserve
STRATHMORE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 2:15pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
EAST KEILOR v KEILOR
Saturday 2:15pm at Overland Reserve
OAK PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 2:15pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
ST ALBANS v WEST COBURG
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
RUPERTSWOOD v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Salesian College
MARIBYRNONG PARK v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 2:15pm at Monk Oval
KEILOR PARK v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 2:15pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
NORTHERN SAINTS v WESTMEADOWS
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Saturday 2:15pm at Charles Mutton Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 2:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v HADFIELD
Saturday 2:15pm at Cole Reserve
