By Evan Tudor
With top spot up for grabs, Aberfeldie will be out for a victory against Keilor at Joe Brown Oval in the ‘Battle of the Blues’.
The Two Blues will look to win comfortably to take the four points and minor premiership, but a bubbling Keilor outfit will want to go for broke in its final hit out.
The winless Blues side returns to the field after last weekend’s bye, with two impressive displays against Maribyrnong Park and Moonee Valley their most recent contests.
Olivia Manfre lit up the scoreboard in both contests for the Blues, including a three-goal exhibition over the Fog, but VFLW commitments with Essendon will have the final say on Saturday.
Olivia Castello and Laura Wright have had consistent seasons for the Blues and will be after one final strong performance.
Aberfeldie has been a relentless force all season and have held opponents back on the scoreboard on numerous occasions.
When the Two Blues and Keilor Blues last met, it was Aberfeldie that was victorious by 45 points.
Perhaps the most interesting story on the field will be who takes out the goalkicking competition.
Mo Hope (36 goals) and Emily Smith (31 goals) are proven spearheads in front of the big sticks, with Smith eyeing off a bag of five to tie things up, something she has already done twice this season.
One win is all it’ll take for Aberfeldie to secure some early bragging rights and that coveted double chance.
Hillside will close out its season at Nipper Jordan Oval in what is a must-win clash for Essendon Doutta Stars.
Sitting on fourth with 28 points and 171 per cent, it’s simple for the Stars; Win, and you’re in. Caroline Springs ominously sits behind Douttas, also on 28 points, but trails their percentage by 70.
Held to just 2.6 (18), a subdued Douttas side went down to Oak Park last weekend, something they must bounce back from.
Hillside, however, has the potential to be an end-of-season disrupter for the Stars after the Sharks prevailed over the Fog by 19 points last weekend.
It was an exciting look at Hillside that proves it's promising for 2027, and the Sharks won’t turn down the opportunity at another stage to shine on.
Hannah Ibrahim, and the Wilkie duo Annalise and Ebony, act as some stability for Hillside in what has been a rocky season for last year’s premier.
The Stars will hope for a repeat of Round 5’s meeting, which was a 10.12 (72) to 1.1 (7) masterclass Douttas win.
Ada Pizzinga was on fire with a season-best six-goal haul, while Jessie Hulett (three) and Mia Tully (one) showed off their well-known form.
The equation is easy to understand for Essendon Doutta Stars in the context of finals, but Hillside won’t want to make the job easy for them.
Oak Park will look to secure the double chance when it meets Moonee Valley at Ormond Park.
With Hillside dashing the Fogs’ finals hopes last weekend, Moonee Valley will look to close out the season on a high.
It appears to be a tricky task for Moonee Valley, with the last meeting between the two clubs going down as a 7.9 (51) to 0.1 (1) win for the Kangaroos.
Some stellar players in Nadia Valenti and Matilda Zander know how to attack at goal strongly and will provide some stability for the Valley.
Jayda Young has also been an exciting addition to the black and white’s outfit recently, with three best-on namings and two goals coming from just four appearances across the season’s second half.
Oak Park has an array of players to draw upon across the field, with Tamsyn Kirk (two goals) and Felicity Theodore (two goals) starring in the sides’ Round 7 meeting.
Having struck at goal accurately since Round 3, Tayah Kelly will look to add some depth to her side’s attack. Maggie Styles will hope for some more ruck dominance that can lead to forward 50 entries.
Oak Park’s ticket to the finals has already been secured, but its destination, of either qualifying or elimination, will be determined on Saturday.
Moonee Valley will hope to make a statement and end the year with some positives leading into 2027.
The 2026 Airport Toyota Premier Division home and away season will conclude at Walsh Oval, with Caroline Springs set for one last stab at a finals spot against Maribyrnong Park.
After such a strong start to their EDFL top flight tenancy, the Lakers have dropped their past four matches and now rely on a win of their own and a Hillside victory to make an elimination final appearance.
The external result between Hillside and Essendon Doutta Stars is out of their control, but the Lakers can fill one piece in the puzzle by taking the win in this game.
When the Lakers and Lions last met in Round 7, it was a win for Caroline Springs in a strong 12.10 (82) to 0.2 (2) display.
Jacinta Kondis kicked five in an equal-best performance for 2026, and if she can fire up early, it’ll put Caroline Springs in a very good position.
But Maribyrnong Park will look to make the most of its final match of the season.
Having avoided relegation in 2025, the Lions entered the 2026 year looking on the up, and their 5-8 record certainly is evidence of this.
The Lions have taken wins over Hillside (twice), Keilor (twice), and Moonee Valley, and have proven to be a fast and physical side throughout the year.
Tegan Matthews has been dominant, while 16-year-old Dimi Papadopoulos solidified herself as one of the standouts alongside Ava Steel and Chloe Healy.
A crucial contest awaits in the context of Caroline Springs’ season, while the Lions, who have nothing to lose, will look to make the most of Saturday’s encounter ahead of season 2027.
By Gus Court
It's finals time for Airport Toyota Division One!
Westmeadows will take on Burnside Heights at Lionheart Reserve with a grand final spot on the line.
It'll be the third meeting between the two sides this year, and the second in as many weeks.
The Tigers have won comfortably on both occasions on their way to a dominant, undefeated season so far.
A range of contributors have gotten the job done in those two contests, but Courteney Munn and Gemma Wright are certainly the two key players.
Both have kicked three goals in the two contests with Munn the leading goal kicker, and Gemma Wright having another incredible season.
The Bears have struggled to score in both contests with Olivia Antonello's two goals last week the only majors across the two meetings.
Captain Kiara Asani-Davis has also been strong, but they'll need more to come along and support if they're to win through to the grand final.
Burnside Heights does have form in pushing an undefeated side, doing so in last year's grand final before falling short.
It must be said, however, there are several key players from that day missing from the current side.
Who can book the first spot in the Airport Toyota Division One grand final?
The season is on the line for Craigieburn and Keilor Park with Martin Reserve set for a thrilling contest.
It'll also be the second consecutive week in seeing a finals matchup with the Eagles defeating the Devils by 38 points last week.
The Eagles also took the points in the earlier meeting this season, however Keilor Park led at the final siren before losing its points after the fact.
So it's been a tale of two contests with personnel different on both occasions.
Sophie Shaw kicked two goals in the first contest and missed the second meeting in what was a reduced Keilor Park outfit.
For the Eagles, Maddison Albrecht missed the earlier meeting but starred last week with a goal in a best-on-ground performance.
A big watch will be on team selection for both sides, and you can catch all the action on Nelson Alexander Match of the Day!
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
KEILOR v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 1:50pm at Joe Brown Oval
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
MARIBYRNONG PARK v CAROLINE SPRINGS
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
WESTMEADOWS v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 11:50am at Lionheart Reserve
CRAIGIEBURN v KEILOR PARK
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 11:50am at Martin Reserve
