By Evan Tudor
After a weekend off for the King’s Birthday bye, the Airport Toyota Premier Division season will resume at Town Centre Recreation Reserve as Caroline Springs plays host to Hillside.
It is shaping up as a game that both sides will look to get under their belt, with the Lakers hoping to redeem themselves after a heavy defeat two weeks ago, while Hillside seeks a massive scalp as the season rolls on.
Caroline Springs had its work cut out in the top-of-the-table-clash against Aberfeldie last round, with the loss now seeing the Lakers positioned fourth with a 5-2 record.
They’ll be hoping Jacinta Kondis can make a return to the playing list, with the club’s leading goalkicker having left big shoes to fill in the Aberfeldie defeat.
Mira Diab, Taya Meiers, and Kyla Tracey have all proven to be a handy goal kickers and are key performers across the field. The trio look set to be some of the front runners on Saturday.
Hillside will be eager to return to its best after a 26-point loss to Moonee Valley.
It was a result at the bottom of the Sharks’ wish-list following a strong victory over the Blues the weekend prior, with the Sharks hoping for some mid-season magic in this contest.
These win-hungry sides will battle it out, but it’s going to take a full team effort to walk away with the four points.
Oak Park will look to extend its winning streak to five when it meets Keilor at Green Gully Reserve.
The Roos have had a dream past few weeks and have knocked off the likes of Caroline Springs and Essendon Doutta Stars, both of whom are finals fancies in 2026.
With a 5-2 record and now resting third rung on the ladder, Oak Park is setting itself up on a trajectory towards revenge after grand final heartbreak last year.
The Roos have been one of the most impressive sides to watch this season, despite the two blemishes to their name, with big stars in Terira Fry, Ellie Huggard, Tayah Kelly, Sasha Nelson, and Felicity Theodore playing their part across the ground.
Kelly leads the pack in front of the big sticks at JP Fawkner Reserve and has struck goal for all but one game this season.
The Roos will look to intimidate the Blues with their talent and line up, but the question is, what impact will a refreshed Keilor outfit have on the match?
With an added week of preparation time for this game under its belt, Keilor will look to play its heart out when it takes to the field for the first time since May 23.
The Blues have struggled in the opening half of the season but should draw on the positives that have come through the likes of Olivia Castello and Laura Wright, both of whom have been absolute standouts for the club, highlighting the commitment of the side’s players to the club week by week.
If Keilor can get the upper hand on the contest and put scores on the board early, then an entertaining clash may be on the cards.
Essendon Doutta Stars and Aberfeldie will meet at Nipper Jordan Oval for the battle of Buckley Street in a contest between the fifth and first sides respectively.
After a dominant win over the Lakers in the top-of-the-table-clash, Aberfeldie enters this match resting comfortably on the top of the ladder.
And while three wins separate the sides, it could well and truly be an even contest on Saturday.
Aberfeldie has consistently impressed with Olivia Madden’s captaincy just one of the pieces in the puzzle that builds up this strong side.
Mo Hope leads the division’s goal kicking competition with 21 after a four-goal display in Round 8 and is a reliable force alongside Lara Churchill and Emily Smith who’ve both had impressive campaigns so far.
Abers will look to act as a forceful side, but the Stars will set out with what it takes to throw down their all.
Doutta’s Mia Tully will be eyeing off a return to the goalkicking sheet after a quiet past two outings.
The tall forward snuck 13 goals in the opening five weeks of the season and is someone the Two Blues will look to keep an eye on, along with Casee Gazelle, Ada Pizzinga, and Isabelle Porter who’ve all been impactful in 2026.
Essendon Doutta Stars will be eager to get back on the winner's list following a second straight defeat, and Saturday’s contest comes with opportunity for them to do just that.
The round closes off at Walsh Oval as Maribyrnong Park and Moonee Valley meet for the Moonee Ponds derby.
It’s been a rollercoaster of a season so far for these teams, with strong wins and heavy losses characterising the opening half of the year for the Lions and the Fog.
And while the table shows a battle between eighth and sixth respectively, a close and fierce battle on the field may be on the horizon.
Maribyrnong Park has been an impressive side to watch despite the 2-5 record, with the side’s performances suggesting something is brewing at Walsh Oval through the way they’ve been playing.
We’ve seen more signs of dominance from the Lions, with Marby able to win clearances and gain inside 50s fast, with attack on the scoreboard improving week by week.
Montana Kerr, Tegan Matthews, Dimi Papadopolous, and Ava Steel are some who have been instrumental in this, with the entire list giving it their all despite tough results.
The Lions have a good shot at snatching the win on Saturday, but will Moonee Valley make it two wins in a row?
There were promising signs at Ormond Park in the Fog’s 26-point win two weeks back, with a haul of three majors from captain Nadia Valenti highlighting the day.
Rhiannon Busch, Michaela Chalhoub, and Kate Maxwell have also been some of the ones to watch in the black and white stripes, with the latter two finding the big sticks in the victory.
Both sides have their strengths, players to watch, and signs of revival on the table, but who makes the most of the chance will be determined on Saturday.
By Michelle Dunstan
Keilor Park and Roxburgh Park will kick off Round 8 action at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
The Magpies enter this clash off a win against East Sunbury before the break.
Haylea Cooke and Sophie Pettman were crucial for Roxy in the win, and will need to step up again here against a strong Keilor Park outfit.
The Devils defeated Sunbury Kangaroos last time out to bounce back strongly.
Caitlyn Crameri and Georgia O'Donovan hit the scoreboard again in that contest, while Georgia Cassar proved to be another forward to contain for the Devils.
Coburg Districts will return to its main oval at Cole Reserve as it welcomes Craigieburn.
The Lions have been in good form with two wins in a row to move up to seventh on the ladder.
Zoe Manning has been dominant in those wins and will be one to watch for the Lions.
Craigieburn suffered a heavy defeat to Westmeadows last time out and will look to bounce back to consolidate its spot in the top four.
A win for the Eagles will ensure its separation in fourth, while a win for Coburg Districts will push it closer to contending.
An intriguing contest looms at John McMahon Recreation Reserve as East Sunbury plays host to Gisborne.
Gisborne is a game out of the finals mix at the moment having snapped a two-game losing streak last time out.
Amy O'Kelly continues to be dominant, while Amelia Hodgson hit the scoreboard again.
East Sunbury is a game behind Gisborne and after a loss last time out, the Thunder would love to push back up into the finals mix.
It'll be first against last at Willowbrook Reserve as Westmeadows takes on Taylors Lakes.
The Tigers will enter as heavy favourites against a Taylors Lakes side that has struggled so far this season.
Can the Lions show some positive signs against the ladder leaders, or will the Tigers remain undefeated?
Burnside Heights will look to maintain its stronghold on second spot when it welcomes Tullamarine to Tenterfield Drive.
The Bears are on a six-game winning streak and will look to keep on rolling.
The Demons lost to Gisborne last time out but have been plucky in 2026 with wins against East Sunbury and Sunbury Lions.
Burnside Heights will be the favourites, but can Tulla bring their best?
A Sunbury battle will close out Round 8 with twilight footy at Eric Boardman Reserve seeing Sunbury Kangaroos take on Sunbury Lions.
The Kangaroos sit in sixth spot, and a win here will see them firmly in the hunt for finals.
The Lions are in second last with just the one win for the year.
The Kangaroos will be the favourites here, but these contests always seem to deliver.
Can the Lions lift to challenge the Kangaroos?
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
CAROLINE SPRINGS v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at Town Centre Recreation Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v ABERFELDIE
Saturday 1:50pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
KEILOR v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Green Gully Reserve
MARIBYRNONG PARK v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
COBURG DISTRICTS v CRAIGIEBURN
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
KEILOR PARK v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v GISBORNE
Saturday 11:50am at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v TULLAMARINE
Saturday 11:50am at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
WESTMEADOWS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Willowbrook Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v SUNBURY LIONS
Saturday 4:50pm at Eric Boardman Reserve
