By Ashleigh Matosevic
Following a week off, Airport Toyota Premier Division returns with Round 9 getting underway this week.
Kicking off the fixture is a clash between Aberfeldie and Essendon Doutta Stars at Clifton Park.
Aberfeldie tightened its grip on second position and gave its percentage a healthy boost after an emphatic win against Hillside last week.
Moana Hope continues to put her name in lights as one of the competition's most dangerous in front of goal. Her five goals against the Sharks bolstered her season total so far to 38.
For the Stars, they're currently riding a third straight win after their demolition of Keilor. An assortment of valuable victories have seen the side build up a strong campaign that currently sees them sitting fourth on the ladder.
Ada Pizzinga has been a key part for her side's ascent up the ladder this season, with the Stars’ high-flyer providing plenty of damage to the scoreline.
Aberfeldie only returned back to the winner's circle last week, following a loss to Oak Park in Round 7.
The Stars might have been building up their form in recent weeks, butthis week will be an interesting test to see if they can take that next step and secure a win against a higher-ranked team.
Oak Park and Greenvale will battle it out at JP Fawkner Reserve.
Oak Park survived a massive scare against Maribyrnong Park and will be coming into the new week, hoping to push past the hiccup seen in the four-point win.
Greenvale were unlucky, suffering a 75-point loss at the hands of Moonee Valley last week.
The last time the two met was back in Round 4, where the Kangaroos pulled off a stunning 142-point win at Greenvale Recreation Reserve.
Maggie O’Connell and Alex Quigley were some of the standouts in the win, with Tamsyn Kirk, Sasha Nelson, and Stephanie Normington-Dickens providing plenty of highlights on the afternoon too.
Oak Park will be eager to put behind its woes from last week, and look towards its more consistent performers for help to secure another win.
Greenvale also will need to look into its performers who've stood up in past games, like Kayla Peake and Jorji Allison, if they're in with a shot this week.
Over at Hillside Recreation Reserve, Hillside and Maribyrnong Park will face off for a second time this season.
The competition's ladder leaders had its undefeated streak broken following a 24-point loss to Aberfeldie.
Maribyrnong Park might be starting to see their season's misfortunes shift after giving Oak Park a scare in a game that went down to the wire..
The challenge will be presented a similar side with other duties calling like Coates Talent League.
With a performance that had heads turning, Marby ultimately fell short of the win by four points.
The last time these two sides met was at Monk Oval in Round 5. It was Hillside who took out the win, delivering a sensational 100-point victory.
Things look a lot more open three rounds later. The Sharks look to take out another win on paper, but things could be set for a shake up if Maribyrnong Park replicate another performance as seen in their game against Oak Park, and several key players from the side step up when they're most needed.
The final match this round will see Green Gully Reserve host a rematch between Keilor and Moonee Valley.
Moonee Valley are coming off a dominant 75-point win against Greenvale. Charlotte D'Ambrosio's valiant effort of seven goals helped lead her side to a second consecutive win.
Skipper Nadia Valenti also was impressive, bagging five goals of her own.
Keilor will be hoping to bounce back following a 24-point loss to Essendon Doutta Stars. Last week's result sees the side lose its third in a row.
It was Keilor who took out bragging rights when it defeated Moonee Valley by 34-points at Ormond Park back in Round 5
When these two sides meet again, it'll be a case of fifth against sixth. Both Keilor and Moonee Valley are sitting on a record of 2-6.
A win will be crucial as the ladder begins to shape up in the second half of the season.
By Ashleigh Matosevic
Round 8 of Airport Toyota Division One kicks off following the break.
For the first match this week, Keilor Park and Westmeadows battle it out at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve.
Keilor Park is heading into the new round fresh off a massive 105-point win against Coburg Districts. The side has been steadily securing wins, helping it rise to second on the ladder.
Coburg Districts' season has been rocky, with the team still without a win in 2025. With the competition already passing the halfway mark, they'll be tested even more over the next few weeks.
It was in Round 5 the last time the two met, with Keilor Park taking out the victory by 43 points. Georgia O’Donovan bagged three goals, and Maddison Cooper also contributed two on the afternoon.
Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve hosts a matchup between Burnside Heights and Tullamarine.
Burnside come into the new round looking to bounce back after a 131-point loss to Strathmore. While the Bears are sitting fourth on the ladder and on a record of 3-4, they'll be hoping to start building toward the back end of the season.
To ensure they lock down the win, Burnside will be looking to the likes of Holly McGregor, Kiara Asani-Davis, and Jacklyn Caruana to do damage on the scoreboard.
Tullamarine sit just under Burnside on the ladder and last saw a win against Coburg Districts back in Round 4.
Laura D'Amore, Tricia Devine, Laycee Eustace, Amy Warden, and Rachel White all had goals on the afternoon.
For Tullamarine to have a real chance, the side will be eager to see more step up when they need to.
The two sides kicked things off in the opening round, playing out a tight-scoring affair with Burnside pulling off a gritty nine point win.
Rounding out this week's action is Strathmore and Coburg Districts who'll meet each other at Lebanon Reserve.
Top of the ladder and showing no signs of slowing, Strathmore has handled both lower sides and contenders with ease.
Last week was no exception, with the side toppling Burnside Heights by 131-points.
Coburg Districts continue to look for its first win this week in a campaign that has been challenging at best so far in 2025.
When these two last faced off, Strathmore cruised past with the win after a 104-point demolition against their opponents in Round 5
By Evan Tudor
After what was an intriguing Round 7 of Airport Toyota Division Two following results that were nailbiters, goal-shootouts and performance masterclasses, the second half of this season officially gets underway with Round 8.
It’ll be an early start on Saturday Morning for football as East Sunbury welcomes Roxburgh Park to John McMahon Recreation Reserve.
Fresh off the King’s Birthday break, East Sunbury is coming into this match following a significant loss to Gisborne.
Nevertheless, the Thunder will focus on the positive aspects, such as the dedication of the players to the club and their consistent presence on the field each week.
East Sunbury will be hoping for these positives to continue to shine through and for an improved performance this weekend.
Roxburgh Park were valiant in defeat against Taylors Lakes in its high-scoring affair.
Roxy booted its second-highest season score of 40 in the 27-point defeat and will draw on those positives that saw them do so this weekend.
Jameson Best booted the match high of three, followed by Summa Blackburn (two) and Sienna Linehan (one).
Roxburgh Park look poised to win here and they’ll be hoping for a third win of the season.
Third will take on second at Eric Boardman Reserve as the 4-3 Sunbury Kangaroos challenge the 6-1 Taylors Lakes.
Both sides walk into this match following wins, but both were won very differently.
For the Kangas, it took the four points in the third quarter of the local Sunbury derby after the game was called off due to injury.
Lisa Kirby booted the side’s lone goal and her second for 2025, being named best-on-ground alongside Tylah Bell.
Taylors Lakes won its match convincingly in a shoot-out, scoring 10 goals to Roxburgh Park’s four.
Rebecca Foggie led the game with three while teammates Charlie Goodwin and Stefania Valerio slotted two each.
Goodwin now leads the division’s goal kicking ladder with 24 and is one of Taylors Lakes’ finest assets.
The question will be if she can extend it further on Saturday?
In a battle between two sides who’ve played some convincing footy of recent times, this match-up should be a good one to watch.
Saturday Night lights will shine down on Gisborne’s return to Gardiner Reserve as it takes on Sunbury Lions.
Following its biggest win of the 2025 campaign so far, Gisborne will carry its 7-0 momentum into this match.
Alexia Todorovic will be one to watch after she kicked a season-high 10 in her side’s 211-point victory.
Keep an eye on Kareena Jacobsen-Logan, she’s been dormant temporarily but will look to reignite with her bags of goals on Saturday.
The duo will act of great concern to the Lions’ back line, but it shouldn’t be forgotten that the side has power of their own.
Taylah Brady has been named the Lions’ best on multiple occasions and will look to lead the way alongside sibling duo Ruby and Samantha Burnside.
The Burnsides know how to show dominance on the scoreboard, and will be hoping for teammates to follow suit.
Gisborne will be hoping to go 8-0, while the Lions want to pose an upset for a potential third win of the season.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 1:50pm at Clifton Park
OAK PARK v GREENVALE
Saturday 1:50pm at JP Fawkner Reserve
HILLSIDE v MARIBYRNONG PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Hillside Recreation Reserve
KEILOR v MOONEE VALLEY
Saturday 1:50pm at Green Gully Reserve
KEILOR PARK v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 10:00am at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v TULLAMARINE
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 11:50am at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
STRATHMORE v COBURG DISTRICTS
Saturday 11:50am at Lebanon Reserve
EAST SUNBURY v ROXBURGH PARK
Saturday 10:00am at John McMahon Recreation Reserve
SUNBURY KANGAROOS v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Eric Boardman Reserve
GISBORNE v SUNBURY LIONS
Saturday 5:00pm at Gardiner Reserve
