Where to watch Melbourne’s suburban footy Anzac Day games in 2021

Not interested in watching the AFL, but need an Anzac Day footy fix? We’ve got you covered with every game in the suburban leagues.

There will be no shortage of local footy action on Anzac Day.

Three AFL games will be staged on Sunday.

But if you want to spend Anzac Day at a local ground, there are plenty of games to choose from in and around Melbourne.

Here’s your ultimate guide to all the big matches in the suburban competitions.

Yarra Junction and Kinglake will be in action on Anzac Day. Picture: Stuart Milligan

AFL OUTER EAST

Division 2: Kinglake v Powelltown, Kinglake Football Ground at 2.20pm

Division 2: Warburton Millgrove v Yarra Junction, Mac Sparke Oval, Warburton at 2.20pm

Two big Anzac Day clashes will continue the hype surrounding AFL Outer East Division 2. Impressive opening-round winners Kinglake and Powelltown will face-off, with the winner a chance to go to top spot. Fans will see plenty of goals kicked, with the Lakers’ Damian Pywell and Chris Horman and Powelltown’s Michael Fowkes and Ben Wratten set for a shootout. Former Wandin premiership star Fowkes slotted five last week.

Warburton Millgrove and Yarra Junction will meet for the first time in 15 years, and there will be an extra degree of urgency. Both sides turned in good performances last week but came away with no points. Look for Warburton Millgrove focal point Andrew White, who booted five goals last week, to again fire, and Jackson Jones, Shawn Andueza and Jack Lee to have a big say for the home side, while Yarra Junction will look for inspiration from the in-form Ewan Wadsworth, Jesse Bombinski and David Johnson.

EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Premier Division: Blackburn v South Croydon, Morton Park at 2.30pm

The ‘Burners and Bulldogs meet again in what’s become an annual fixture for the two top-flight powerhouses, in the pair’s first meeting since the 2019 semi-final. It’s been close the past three times they’ve met, with the ‘Burners prevailing by 16 (SF 2019), 16 (Round 12, 2019) and 14 points (Anzac Day 2019) respectively, and all signs point to this clash shaping as another cracker with both coming off wins last week.

The crowd at Sewell Reserve for the clash between Glenroy and Strathmore on Anzac Day in 2019. Picture: Ian Currie

ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Premier Division: Glenroy v Strathmore, Sewell Reserve at 2.35pm

Division 1: Westmeadows v Airport West, Willowbrook Reserve at 5pm

Glenroy and Strathmore will meet on Anzac Day for a third consecutive season, with both clubs entering the clash with a 1-1 win-loss record. The Roys suffered a heartbreaking three-point loss to Maribyrnong Park in Round 1 before rebounding to topple Essendon Doutta Stars, while the Mores were outclassed by Keilor in their final term of their Good Friday season opener before hammering struggling Craigieburn in Round 2. Strathmore will enter this clash as a warm favourite away from home, but Glenroy will be eyeing a scalp as it looks to establish itself in the top flight. Later in the day, Westmeadows will host Airport West in an intriguing encounter between two Division 1 finals aspirants. Both clubs are 1-1, but the Tigers might just have too much class.

Mornington’s Jackson Calder fires off a handball. Picture: David Crosling

MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division 2: Devon Meadows v Mornington, Glover Reserve at 3pm

The Lids off! Former Richmond and GWS star Brett Deledio will pull on the boots for Devon Meadows in its crunch game against Mornington. Both teams are 2-1 going into the encounter and Deledio has been slated to play at full-forward for the Panthers. He’s likely to see plenty of the ball because Devon Meadows has a midfield that knows how to win the footy, with the likes of Joel Hillas, Aaron Johns and Isaac Barassi. Mornington will look to its gun spearhead Jackson Calder, who leads the competition goal kicking with 18 majors. Spectators might have to brace themselves for an old-fashioned shootout.

NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division 1: Heidelberg v Macleod, Warringal Park at 2.10pm

Division 2: Epping v Diamond Creek, Epping Recreation Reserve at 2.10pm

Division 2: Thomastown v Fitzroy Stars, Main Street Reserve at 2.10pm

Heidelberg and Macleod are separated by just 1.9km and have developed a heated rivalry since the Roos arrival in Division 1 in 2009, highlighted by the 2016 grand final. The Tigers have made a super start to the season while Macleod is still searching for its first win. The clash shapes as an epic. In Division 2, a pair of games will celebrate the day. Epping is looking for back-to-back wins and should give Diamond Creek a good test. Down the road, Thomastown is looking to bounce back after a shock loss in Round 2 and Fitzroy Stars will have a tough time avoiding a heavy defeat.

Diggers Rest star Cale Morton gets a kick away. Picture: Aaron Cook

RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Macedon v Diggers Rest, Tony Clark Reserve at 2pm

Both teams have high hopes this year and an early-season win over a finals rival will be invaluable. Diggers Rest looked sharp in dispatching Woodend-Hesket in Round 1, while Macedon was held to a draw by Riddell. The Cats will hope home ground advantage pays off in the stand-alone Anzac Day clash with a big crowd expected. However, the Burras look the stronger team on paper and will enter the match as favourites.

WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Division 3: Braybrook v North Sunshine, Pennell Reserve at 2pm

Pennell Reserve has become a traditional venue for Anzac Day matches and it will host football again on April 25, with Braybrook to face North Sunshine. The two sides both suffered losses in Round 1, with the Brookers going down to Wyndham Suns by 16 points, while the Roadrunners were on the receiving end of a crushing 149-point defeat to 2019 runner-up Albanvale. Braybrook will enter this match-up as a warm favourite.