Local and country footy: Anzac Day games right across Victoria
If the AFL’s Anzac Day double header isn’t for you, there’s set to be plenty of local games across the state. Here’s where you can see the action.
Albury Wodonga
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A blockbuster Anzac Day is in store for local footy competitions across Victoria.
Bumper crowds are expected around Melbourne and the regions as clubs take centre stage, with some even playing their first matches since July last year.
See every country and suburban footy match and where and when to watch.
BELLARINE
Portarlington v Drysdale, Portarlington Recreation Reserve, 2.10pm
Drysdale will enter this clash as strong favourites with a perfect record after three games while the hosts are yet to get on the board.
EASTERN
Blackburn v South Croydon, Morton Park, 2.20pm
The ‘Burners and Bulldogs meet again in what’s become an annual Premier Division fixture for the two top-flight powerhouses. South Croydon kicked away in the last quarter to prevail by 21 points last Anzac Day, snapping a three-game losing streak to the ‘Burners. But three of the past four encounters between the two have been decided by less than three goals, shaping Monday‘s clash as another cracker.
ESSENDON DISTRICT
Avondale Heights v Aberfeldie, Canning Reserve, 2.15pm
Avondale Heights’ search for its first win of the season doesn’t get any easier on Monday. They’ll face an Aberfeldie side who under the guidance of new coach Adam Marcon have made the perfect start to the season. A big crowd is expected for what should be a thrilling contest.
Glenroy v Strathmore, Sewell Reserve, 2.15pm
If Strathmore needed any other reason to be fired up for the big day, the Good Friday loss to rivals Keilor will mean they are determined to get back on the winners’ list. The Roys have lost two straight games to start the season and it would be difficult to see them bouncing back here.
Airport West v Westmeadows, Hansen Reserve, 2.15pm
One of the premiership favourites will take centre stage against a Westmeadows side who have been up and down to start the season. The Jets hit their straps in round 2 in an ominous warning to the rest of the competition and could again go to another level.
GEELONG
St Josephs v South Barwon, Herne Hill Reserve, 2.15pm
Two powerhouses of the competition face off in what should be an exciting clash.
GEELONG AND DISTRICT
Inverleigh v Bannockburn, Inverleigh Reserve, 2pm
The home side are considered to be the premiership by many supporters and will be hoping to run out winners against the Tigers.
HAMPDEN
Hamilton Kangaroos v Port Fairy, Melville Oval, 2.15pm
The Kangaroos will be hoping to continue their winning ways over a Port Fairy side who have a difficult off-season.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Division 1: Mt Eliza v Red Hill at Emil Madsen Reserve, Mt Eliza, at 2.00pm
Both these teams are definite finals contenders. Steve Brattle’s Redlegs finished full of run to beat Bonbeach last week, with former VFL Dolphin Nathan Scagliarini playing a blinder. Red Hill has begun the season strongly, with a big win and then a nailbiting draw on Good Friday.
Division 2: Mornington v Devon Meadows at Alexandra Park, Mornington, at 2.15pm
The Bulldogs will meet as a club at 9.45am and walk down to attend the 10am service at Memorial Park, Barkly Street. It will set the tone for a huge game against Devon Meadows, featuring the in-form Brandon White, Joel Hillis and Nick Battle. One side will be sitting 2-1 on Monday night.
NORTHERN
Whittlesea v Hurstbridge, Whittlesea Showgrounds, 2.10pm
An intriguing match up between two teams that had sensational upset wins a fortnight ago, the Eagles knocking off West Preston-Lakeside and Hurstbridge taking care of Greensborough. Whittlesea is expecting several key players to return, including Jarrad Waite, Paul Higgins and Jaron Murphy, while Cam Wild is racing the clock as he recovers from a broken hand. As a stand-alone match in the Northern Football League, the Showgrounds should be packed.
OUTER EAST
Premier Division: Wandin v Woori Yallock, at Wandin North Recreation Reserve, at 2.30pm
After adding key recruits, Wandin hit the ground running in the opening round, suggesting it’s headed for a successful season. Woori Yallock’s blend of youth and experience shone through in its first-up win, with first-gamer Jude Hay booting the matchwinner.
Upwey Tecoma v Olinda Ferny Creek, at Upwey Tecoma Football Ground, Chosen Ave, Upwey, at 2.30pm
The Tigers and the Bloods met twice last season, for a win apiece. Both sides look capable of challenging for finals action this year and a win on Monday will be crucial as they look to get their campaigns rolling.
OVENS AND MURRAY
Albury v North Albury, Albury Sports Ground, 2pm
Wodonga Raiders v Wodonga, Birallee Park, 3pm
A huge day awaits on the border with two clashes between local rivals as the Ovens and Murray league ladder continues to take shape early in the season.
RIDDELL DISTRICT
Macedon v Diggers Rest, Tony Clarke Reserve, 2pm
An Anzac Day blockbuster in the RDFL pits premiership contenders Macedon against Diggers Rest. However, neither team has set the world on fire just yet. The Burras have had a disjointed start to the season; a bye in Round 1, a strong win over Melton Centrals in Round 2 and now a 16-day break over Easter. The Cats meanwhile are coming off a loss to Riddell and close win over Lancefield, so neither team comes in with much momentum.
SOUTHERN
Cheltenham v Bentleigh, Jack Barker Oval, 2pm
Caulfield Bears v East Brighton, Koornang Park Reserve, 2pm
Cheltenham and Bentleigh have both just one win this season. If these sides are aiming to play finals footy in 2022, a victory here could go a long way to furthering their aspirations.
VFL
Essendon v Collingwood, Windy Hill, 1.05pm
A bizarre time and venue to hold a curtain-raiser for a 3.20pm match at the MCG. Windy Hill will be empty after halftime as people either travel into town or home to watch in the main event. The VFL match mirrors the AFL in some ways – Essendon‘s VFL side hasn’t won a game in the opening four rounds, while Collingwood has been in good form, only dropping its first loss against undefeated GWS last week. Can the Bombers flip the script at either level?
WEST GIPPSLAND
Tooradin-Dalmore v Warragul Industrials, Tooradin Recreation Reserve, 2pm
The home side will be looking to make it three straight wins to start the season as the Industrials aim to get back on the right path following a loss to Phillip Island.
WESTERN REGION
Hoppers Crossing v Werribee Districts, Hogans Rd Reserve, 2.15pm
Two sides with premiership aspirations and fierce rivals — an exciting clash awaits between these two Division 1 powerhouses. Both sides will be looking to get back on the winners list after Hoppers fell against St Albans on Good Friday, meanwhile, Districts went down to Altona two weeks ago.
Point Cook Centrals v Albion, Featherbrook Reserve, 2.15pm
This Division 2 clash pits the talk of the competition, Point Cook Centrals, against arguably the biggest improver in the league, Albion. Centrals will be strong favourites after brushing aside Wyndhamvale in round 2 as Albion showed it is good enough to push the best sides after narrowly losing to Parkside. If both sides are at their best we could be in for a cracker.
Braybrook v Suns, Pennell Reserve, 2.15pm
Two sides who have aspirations of featuring at the pointy end of the Division 3 season, Braybrook and the Suns will be looking to continue their winning ways. Both enjoyed monster wins in round 1 over weaker opposition so this should give us a better indication of where they sit.
WIMMERA
Horsham Demons v Horsham Saints, 2.20pm
The Demons will look to inflict some further pain on the Saints after they went down in the opening round of the season on April 9.
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