KEILOR v SUNBURY LIONS
Friday 7:30pm at Keilor Reserve
KEILOR delivered an emphatic away win in Round 4, beating Burnside Heights by 61 points under lights.
The Blues were led by the ever-present Brooke Todero (four goals), who has now kicked 11 goals in the last two rounds, Renee Melton (two goals) and Lauren Caruso, who came in for her first game of the season and made an instant impact.
Tanay Barbuto and Kallyn Gent have also proven lively threats across the first four rounds.
The Sunbury Lions went down to Westmeadows in Round 4 by 15 points in a low-scoring affair.
Jessica Rowe continued her good early season form, again featuring prominently for the Lions and was supported by Zoe Hardiman and Mollie-Ann Gregory, providing positive signs for the future.
The Lions will be looking to get on the scoreboard early against Keilor, having only kicked two goals from the first four rounds.
WESTMEADOWS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Friday 7:30pm at Willowbrook Reserve
Westmeadows and Burnside Heights both come into Round 5 with records of 3-1 and this will be an intriguing match-up.
The Tigers will be intent on turning the tables of last year’s preliminary final, in which they were just two points off securing a grand final birth.
Meanwhile Burnside Heights is looking to seek its own redemption after a surprise 61-point loss to Keilor at home in Round 4, only having had three scoring shots to Keilor’s 24.
Westmeadows is coming off a 15-point win against the Sunbury Lions, which could have been more comprehensive on the scoreboard, as they kicked 1.10 for the match.
The Tigers’ only loss for the season thus far was at the hands of ladder leader’s, Aberfeldie, in Round 3.
Renae Schwarze (12 goals), Jacinta Scott and Kirzty Brady have been dominant for Westmeadows in the first four rounds and Burnside Heights will be determined to curb their influence.
For the Bears, Brooke McKinley leads the EDFL Women’s - Premier goal kicking tally with 15 goals, followed by teammate Kayla Ravanello with 14.
Westmeadows must limit Burnside Heights’ forward fifty entries and create their own opportunities to match the Bears’ fire power.
CRAIGIEBURN v ABERFELDIE 1
Saturday 10:00am at DS Aitken Reserve
Aberfeldie remains the only unbeaten team in EDFL Women’s - Premier after four rounds, on the back of a 118-point win against the Sunbury Kangaroos.
Active recruitment over the off-season looks to have strengthened Aberfeldie’s claim, with new recruits Jess Atta (eight goals), Sophie Cachia (six) and Siobhan Carlton (four) proving quite influential around goal.
Craigieburn has had a difficult start to the season, having played early finals contenders Westmeadows and Burnside Heights and was beaten soundly by Hillside in Round 4.
Recruit Belinda Gicevski has been a shining light for Craigieburn, having come across from West-Preston Lakeside in the NFNL, kicking four goals in the Round 2 win against Pascoe Vale.
Craigieburn has the home ground advantage in Round 5 but look like they will face their biggest test yet against an in-form Aberfeldie.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 11:50am at Eric Boardman Reserve
The Sunbury Kangaroos and Pascoe Vale will be looking to bounce back from significant losses in Round 4 to Aberfeldie and Strathmore respectively.
A new-look Pascoe Vale is still searching for its first win of the season but did well in the first half against Strathmore with no players on the bench.
Eventually Strathmore was able to execute on the scoreboard in the second half.
Young gun Lily Saunders has shown promising signs having come up from the Under 18 program, while Rita Iocco and Renae Berry are also lively.
The Sunbury Kangaroos did not trouble the scoreboard in the match against Aberfeldie but had won their previous two matches against the Sunbury Lions and Hillside with Tylah Bell, Rebecca Dekazos and Regina Said among their early season leaders.
Pascoe Vale will be desperate to get their hands on the four points, but will the Sunbury Kangaroos be too much of a challenge to overcome at home?
STRATHMORE v HILLSIDE
Saturday 2:15pm at Lebanon Reserve
Strathmore sits seventh with the ledger at 1-3 and Hillside sits fifth at 2-2 coming into a Round 5 clash that has the potential to be a tight contest.
Both teams have beaten Pascoe Vale in the initial rounds, with Hillside’s second win coming against Craigieburn in a strong showing, running out winners by 95 points.
Rebecca Coleman (four goals), Lisa Parisi (two) and Rachael Burton (two) were all dynamic in the forward half.
For Strathmore, Sharon Mumford came into the side for the Round 4 match and kicked a game-high five goals on debut along with lively recruit, Zana Maginness, who contributed three.
Hillside will be keen to continue its winning form whilst Strathmore will be determined to not let the season slip and go 1-4.
ROXBURGH PARK v KEILOR PARK
Friday 7:30pm at Lakeside Oval
Third-placed Keilor Park will travel to Lakeside Oval to play Roxburgh Park (second) in a game which is poised to be one of the matches of the round.
Both teams suffered their first loss for the year in Round 4 and will be looking to bounce back.
Roxburgh Park was beaten by Aberfeldie 2 by 17 points at Clifton Park, despite the best efforts of Jessica Paten and Katelyn Birmingham, who has provided a presence in the forward half.
After a slow start, Keilor Park went down to Tullamarine at Leo Dineen Reserve by 27 points, with Caitlin Holzheimer playing her best game in her first season as a Demon.
Keilor Park will be looking to playmakers Meghan Patrick and Sara Imela to combat the skill of Roxburgh Park’s dangerous duo, Freedom and Rainbow Ebert.
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ABERFELDIE 2
Saturday 10:00am at Maribyrnong Park
Aberfeldie 2 recorded an impressive 17-point win against Roxburgh Park at home with four individual players in Anika Brown, Mackenzie Pierce, Courtnee Griffiths and Paige Harvey registering majors.
They will come up against a Maribyrnong Park outfit that will be focused on getting back on the winners list after falling to Greenvale by 51 points.
Maribyrnong Park have had 31 players represent the club in the first four rounds of their inaugural season, with Amy Horan and Faith Considine among the consistent mentions, having played three games apiece.
Maribyrnong Park will want to bring their best to match it with an improving Aberfeldie 2 at
Monk Oval on Saturday morning.
MOONEE VALLEY v AVONDALE HEIGHTS
Saturday 10:00am at Ormond Park
Moonee Valley is the form team of EDFL Women’s - Division 1, sitting a game clear on top of the ladder after three decisive wins and a forfeit-for.
Calder Cannons talent Georgia Marsland has stepped up from the under-age competition and proven she can more than hold her own at senior level, kicking 14 goals across three games.
Having come across from the VU Western Spurs, Yasmin Speekman has also been valuable, bringing much-needed experience to her new side.
The Heights have started the season slowly after not making it onto the park for their scheduled season-opener.
But on a positive note, Rita Ceravolo has continued to be a stand-out, with Affinity Miller also featuring amongst the bests in her second year of football at the club.
Avondale Heights will be eager to limit the effectiveness of Moonee Valley’s forward line contributors when they travel to Ormond Park on Saturday.
