By Eric Forman
The Airport Toyota Premier Division season kicks off at the festival of footy at Maribyrnong Park, with the Lions taking on Aberfeldie at Walsh Oval.
Marby just missed finals in 2024 to finish fifth for the second season in a row, and will be keen to go at least one rung higher on the ladder in season 2025.
They'll be taking on Aberfeldie who have enjoyed another fruitful recruiting drive to ensure they're right in the mix at the pointy end.
Inaugural Collingwood AFLW superstar Moana Hope is one of the biggest names entering the EDFL for season 2025 and will be a big drawcard for fans and opposition defenders alike!
Hope is one of a number of strong Aberfeldie recruits, while for Marby, the availability of former Essendon AFLW vice-captain Jacqui Vogt will be interesting with the key position player a great addition over the summer.
Moonee Valley will host Essendon Doutta Stars at Ormond Park to kick off their 2025 campaigns.
Douttas enjoyed a strong first season back in Premier Division following promotion to finish fourth.
They'll be wanting to back up despite some list turnover, the loss of their leading goal kicker Jessie Hulett a big one.
Coach Marie Napoli is excited about filling gaps with homegrown talent either entering senior footy or featuring more regularly.
Moonee Valley missed finals in 2024 by percentage despite an injury riddled season.
New co-coaches Rhiannon Busch and Dermott O'Connell have put in the work to ensure a more consistent season with fitness.
With minimal list turnover and plenty of talent in the program, Moonee Valley will no doubt be looking to start the season positively to set a sustainable platform.
Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day should be treated to a ripping contest at JP Fawkner Reserve, as the reigning premier Oak Park takes on Hillside.
It was a resurgent season for the Sharks who took out the minor premiership before a straight sets exit.
Natasha Campbell and Nicolette Paschalis join after starring in Division One in recent seasons, alongside other talent like Jemima Woods whose availability remains to be seen like others.
The Kangaroos had another strong season losing only two games, both in the regular season to Hillside.
They made amends when it mattered, defeating the Sharks in the first final before winning the premiership.
Oak Park was incredibly active in the of season and will be keen unveil new recruits should they be available.
The Sharks will be looking for redemption in a highly anticipated battle.
Round 1 action in the top flight will close out with Greenvale hosting Keilor at Section Road.
The Jets will unfurl their Division One flag after earning promotion, and will be keen to kick off their campaign well.
Keilor is coming off a tough season winning just the two games, with both against wooden spooners Westmeadows.
There has been some strong talent coming into the club like Coburg Districts premiership captain Liv Woods, the returning Tegan Matthews, and Calder Cannons graduates Ava Gerada and Maddie Albrecht.
By Ashleigh Matosevic
Following its grand final appearance last year, Burnside Heights will kick off its 2025 Division One campaign against Tullamarine at Leo Dineen Reserve.
Despite several big departures in the off season, the Bears will be looking to put a new foot forward in 2025.
Tullamarine will be keen to kick off the action with its social rooms ready for its first official hit out, marking a new era for the Dees.
Meanwhile, Coburg Districts and Westmeadows will battle it out at Cole Reserve.
The Lions join the division in 2025 after earning their recent promotion, while Westmeadows enter the competition following regulation.
There has been turnover at both clubs, but both will certainly be up for a new challenge.
Strathmore and Keilor Park will both be hoping to keep building momentum following their efforts in the division last year. Both will be meeting at Lebanon Reserve for their first match of the season.
The Devils head into the season with a stack of talent, and will be aiming for another shot at finals in 2025 with Marcus Barclay returning to the club as coach.
Strathmore have also had a recruiting blitz in the off season under the helm of new head coach, Shaun Bannister, bringing plenty of new additions to the team to head in as one of the premiership favourites.
By Ashleigh Matosevic
Sunbury Lions and Taylor Lakes face off in their opening game over at Clarke Oval.
Taylors Lakes enter the new season with the inclusion of several new additions, plus the return of former junior Taylah Egan.
Sunbury Lions, meanwhile, have lost some players including Airport Toyota Division Two Best and Fairest Emily Taylor, and will be keen for players to step up and fill the void.
Gisborne will be looking to make an immediate impact at Gardiner Reserve, as they'll be re-entering the division this season topped up with returning players and new recruits, welcoming a strong cohort of Kyneton talent.
They'll be taking on last year's preliminary finalists, Roxburgh Park, who'll be hoping to start strong as it looks to go one step further and make the grand final.
Rounding out Division Two, East Sunbury and the Sunbury Kangaroos will start new campaigns to kick off the action at John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
For East Sunbury, the focus will be to improve on their ladder position from last season. It's a positive sign for the side, who enter 2025 with a healthy blend of experienced and fresh faces on its roster.
But standing in their way are the Kangaroos, who are seeking redemption after a first-week finals exit.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
MARIBYRNONG PARK v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
OAK PARK v HILLSIDE
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
GREENVALE v KEILOR
Saturday 1:50pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
COBURG DISTRICTS v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
TULLAMARINE v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 10:30am at Leo Dineen Reserve
STRATHMORE v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Lebanon Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Clarke Oval
GISBORNE v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Gardiner Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 12:15pm at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
