By Ashleigh Matosevic
Round 8 of Airport Toyota Premier Division is here with the competition starting to heat up approaching the halfway point of the season.
Moonee Valley and Greenvale open up the round at Ormond Park.
Moonee Valley come into this clash off the back of a win against Maribyrnong Park last week.
The challenge is now mental, for them having to come up against Greenvale who sit just under them on the ladder.
Greenvale, despite a patchy record, have shown they can fight, but were overwhelmed in its last clash with Essendon Doutta Stars.
A competitive showing here could go a long way in shaping the Jets' confidence.
It'll be a top of the table clash when Aberfeldie take on Hillside at Clifton Park.
The last time these two sides met was back in Round 4 where the Sharks took out bragging rights in the 11-point win.
With Hillside coming into the new week with momentum and goalkickers in the form of Emily Paterno and Caitlin Sargent (should she be available), the Sharks look primed for another solid outing.
However, Aberfeldie is coming off a disappointing loss against Oak Park and will be looking for redemption.
Despite the seven-point loss, the side has seen several names step up in recent wins, including Mo Hope, which makes this rematch likely to be a thriller.
Hope was held goalless in the first meeting between these sides which Hillside coach Blaise Ferraro will want again to remain undefeated.
Essendon Doutta Stars host Keilor at Nipper Jordan Oval for Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day.
The Stars' hunger for another win come after a stunning 112-point win over a scoreless Greenvale side.
The Stars' midfield cohesion and defensive pressure will be vital if they're to get ahead in this game.
Keilor showed heart against Hillside last week, but were met with a 27-point loss.
Chelsea McDermott and Natalie Dunne will need to bring leadership and composure against an Essendon Doutta Stars side desperate to prove they belong in the top four.
Douttas won by 16 points the last time these sides met with Adalita Pizzinga a problem for the Keilor defence kicking three goals.
Oak Park and Maribyrnong Park close out Round 8 with their match this week at Walsh Oval.
Oak Park proved its credentials last week over a thrilling seven-point win against Aberfeldie.
Following the win last week, their challenge will be to continue to build on the momentum they've established so far.
Maribyrnong Park are still on the hunt for their first win of the season following their loss to Moonee Valley last week, and face a tough challenge against an in-form opposition.
The Lions are coming off their best performance in that loss, putting 28 points on the board.
Saskia Williams and Mali Sauvarin remain key figures and will want to rally early for a competitive outing.
By Eliza Duncan
Round 7 of Airport Toyota Division One will kick off at Cole Reserve with Coburg Districts taking on Keilor Park.
The Lions will return to action after forfeiting last week, while the Devils are hoping to bounce back after a loss last week snapped their four-game winning streak.
Keilor Park won comfortably the last time these sides met by 46 points.
Ashleigh Drews was awarded the Mount Alexander Hotel player of the match award as one of many players productive in the Devils' forward half.
Georgia O'Donovan and Caitlyn Crameri are another two Districts will need to be mindful of with the key forwards kicking three and two goals respectively in their last meeting.
A win for the Devils will keep them a game clear inside double chance territory, while Districts are still searching for their first win.
Strathmore and Burnside Heights will meet in an intriguing clash at Boeing Reserve.
The Mores are the ladder leaders going undefeated through six games, while the Bears are third following consecutive wins.
Bears coach Michael Davis has enjoyed key personnel returning to the side like Krissy Trang and Kayla Ravanello.
A 64-point turnaround against Westmeadows last week was indicative that the Burnside Heights of recent seasons could be back after a slow start to 2025.
Strathmore enjoyed a 21-point win the last time these sides met in Round 2 with Skyla Cain kicking three goals.
Talia Motta didn't line up for the Mores in that game, but will be one to watch kicking nine goals in three appearances this season.
No stranger to the Bears, the former Jet kicked goals in each appearance against them last season including three in the grand final.
Trang and Ravanello missed the last meeting between these sides and will add a lot of firepower to the Bears, so expect a tighter contest at Boeing Reserve.
Tullamarine and Westmeadows will close out Round 7 in Airport Toyota Division One in a twilight contest at Leo Dineen Reserve.
The Demons took the forfeit win against Coburg Districts last week and will be raring to go this week, while Westmeadows will be keen to bounce back after three losses in a row.
It was a dominant 66-point win by the Tigers the last time these sides played in Round 2 in a twilight fixture.
Courteney Munn fired up front with three goals and will want to return to form having gone goalless since then.
Danielle Linton also impacted the scoreboard with two majors to her name and will be looking to continue a strong season to date.
Tulla enjoyed a spread of goal kickers in their earlier win and will need a number of contributors again to challenge a hungry Tigers outfit.
A win for Westy will push them two games clear inside the four and keep them in reach of the double chance, while a win for Tulla will draw them level on points with the Tigers.
By Evan Tudor
Round 7 of Airport Toyota Division Two kicks off with a local derby at Clarke Oval as the Sunbury Lions play host to the Sunbury Kangaroos.
It was a one-point win to the Kangaroos in their latest meeting, with the Lions hopeful for another close one on Saturday.
The Lions will be looking to regroup and refocus after a reality check last weekend, while the Kangaroos will be looking for two straight wins for the first time this season.
It was the Kangas’ day last Saturday with a 68-point win over East Sunbury.
With Roos’ Georgia Mariner and Breannan Mason combining with six in the win, the Lions will be hoping to ramp up its defensive line to prevent such from happening again.
Despite the big defeat, Sunbury Lion Taylah Brady was named among the side’s best, her fourth best on ground for the season.
Sibling-duo Samantha and Ruby Burnside also highlighted the Lions’ match last week and look to be a handful this week.
This local derby could be one to watch, especially as both sides desperately need this win.
Roxburgh Park returns home to Lakeside Reserve to take on the in-form Taylors Lakes.
After a week off as a result of a forfeit, Roxy will be keen to return to the playing field this weekend.
We’ve seen what Roxy are capable of doing so far this season, who will hope for a positive display on Saturday.
Their opponent, Taylors Lakes, are entering this match following two consecutive wins with margins exceeding 100.
Charlie Goodwin kicked six for the second consecutive week, taking her tally to 22, and will look for another bag this weekend.
She’ll be a handful for Roxy’s defence, and will be joined with Stefania Valerio, who’s also kicked consecutive bags of four.
In a match noteworthy for lots of reasons, the Lions will look to go three-straight.
Sankey Reserve gets a taste of Division Two footy when it hosts Gisborne’s clash with East Sunbury.
Following two weeks away, the Bulldogs are looking to make a statement in their return to the footy field.
Currently sitting top-of-the table with a 6-0 record, Gisborne look to pass the halfway mark of the season with a clean sweep.
With an average winning margin of 67 so far, the Dogs will be of concern to the East Sunbury outfit.
Kareena Jacobsen-Logan leads the Dogs’ goal kicking ladder and will look to extend the lead on Saturday.
East Sunbury will be looking at the positives from last weekend before heading into this match.
Sophia Iosifidis booted one through the big sticks, the Thunder’s first goal in four weeks.
The Thunder are looking for more improvements to form like that in this contest.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v HILLSIDE
Saturday 1:50pm at Clifton Park
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v KEILOR
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at Nipper Jordan Oval
MOONEE VALLEY v GREENVALE
Saturday 1:50pm at Ormond Park
MARIBYRNONG PARK v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Walsh Oval
COBURG DISTRICTS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 10:00am at Cole Reserve
STRATHMORE v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 11:50am at Boeing Reserve
TULLAMARINE v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 4:50pm at Leo Dineen Reserve
SUNBURY LIONS v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 11:50am at Clarke Oval
ROXBURGH PARK v TAYLORS LAKES
Saturday 11:50am at Lakeside Reserve
GISBORNE v EAST SUNBURY
Saturday 11:50am at Sankey Reserve
