Best local footy matches to watch in Melbourne on Saturday

Brendon Goddard, Adam Cooney, Brent Harvey and Jarrad Waite are among the former AFL stars set to dominate at the local level in 2019. These are the local footy clashes that’ll feature ex-AFL guns this weekend.

Vermont players celebrate last season’s premiership triumph. The Eagles will start their 2019 campaign against Norwood. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Local footy will start this weekend with a host of blockbuster games across Melbourne to open the season.

We’ve taken a look at some of the big games to watch this Saturday.

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NORTHERN

MACLEOD v NORTH HEIDELBERG

De Winton Park (Rosanna) at 2.10pm

VFL/AFL games record holder Brent Harvey will take charge in his first game as coach of North Heidelberg in what should be a ripper with Division 1 contest. Macleod has confirmed itself as a league powerhouse in recent years under Garry Ramsay, but Christian Stagliano will take the coaching reins in 2019. This contest could potentially be an early grand final preview.

St Kevins celebrate last year’s premiership. Picture: Hamish Blair

VAFA

ST KEVIN’S v COLLEGIANS

TH King Oval (Glen Iris) at 2pm

St Kevin’s could have three ex-AFL players make their VAFA debuts in the grand final rematch against Collegians. Last year’s decider was a five-point nailbiter, while St Kevin’s also won their previous clash in a seven-point thriller. Veteran forward Jarrad Waite, former No.2 draft pick Jon O’Rourke and ex-Roo Alex Morgan could be among the debutants for St Kevin’s.

South Croydon coach Luke McCormick after last year’s grand final. Picture: Andy Brownbill

EASTERN

SOUTH CROYDON v BALWYN

Cheong Park (South Croydon) at 2.10pm

South Croydon enters this season looking to atone for last year’s grand final defeat, while Balwyn is looking to make a return to the top five after missing finals for the first time in 23 years in 2018. Ex-Sydney forward Xavier Richards is the headline addition at Balwyn, joining a long list of recruits at the Tigers. South Croydon has also added a package of former Box Hill Hawks.

Lachlan Johns and Harmit Singh celebrates last year’s flag. Picture:Andy Brownbill

VERMONT v NORWOOD

Vermont Recreation Reserve at 2.10pm

Storylines everywhere in this contest: Ryan Mullett makes his comeback to Vermont, Mitch Honeychurch is back at his junior club and new Norwood coach Marty Pask — after helping the Eagles to their 20th EFL premiership last year — returns to Terrara Rd, but this time as the coach of the Norsemen. Norwood has loaded up on talent for a tilt at a return to finals, announcing several key additions in a busy off-season.

Ben Jolley during his time at Williamstown. Picture: Martin Keep

VFL

WILLIAMSTOWN v PORT MELBOURNE

Downer Oval (Williamstown) 7.15pm

Another layer will be added to this fierce rivalry when Williamstown and Port Melbourne clash at Point Gellibrand. Ben Jolley will make his return to the Seagulls where he was one of the club’s great before being surprisingly cut last year. Jolley played a record 217 games, won four best and fairests and captained the 2015 premiership.

Jaryd Cachia has crossed to Aberfeldie. Picture: Jamie Morey

EDFL

ABERFELDIE v STRATHMORE

Clifton Park (Aberfeldie) at 1:45pm

There will be no shortage of spice in this clash between two EDFL Premier Division heavyweights. One of the Strathmore’s prime movers, Jaryd Cachia, has crossed to Aberfeldie to play with his brother. The former Carlton-listed player is a best-and-fairest winner at the Mores and gives a sizeable boost to Abers’ star-studded engine room. The home side is chasing a fourth flag in five season, while Strathmore suffered an agonising two-point loss to Keilor in last year’s preliminary final after leading by 44 points at three-quarter time.

Adam Cooney has linked with Spotswood. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

WRFL

SPOTSWOOD v SUNSHINE

McLean Reserve (Spotswood) at 2:15pm

Perennial Division 1 contender Spotswood is set to have a massive inclusion for the season opener in Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney. The former Western Bulldogs and Essendon midfielder could play up to 10 games around his media commitments this season. Spotswood contested eight consecutive grand finals between 2007 and 2014 for four premierships, but it has not been back on the big stage since, while Sunshine lost to powerhouse Deer Park by three points in the 2017 decider.

Diggers Rest coach Jamie Lobb and captain Tom Gleeson raise the premiership cup. Picture: Aaron Cook

RDFL

DIGGERS REST v RUPERTSWOOD

Bloomdale Oval (Diggers Rest) at 2pm

This is an intriguing contest between last year’s premier and minor premier. Diggers Rest came from third spot at the end of the regular season to claim the ultimate prize, while minor premier Rupertswood was consigned to a straight-sets finals exit after heavy losses to Riddell and Macedon. Rupo has had a busy off-season, while the Burras remain a contender under premiership mentor Jamie Lobb.

Frankston YCW’s Michael Debenham is tackled in last year’s finals series. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MPFNL

FRANKSTON YCW v SORRENTO

John Coburn Oval (Frankston) at 2pm

Two powerhouse clubs of the competition will lock horns in what shapes as a mouth-watering opening-round clash. Frankston YCW was eliminated in the opening week of finals last year, while Sorrento went down to Pines by a solitary point in the decider. It was a rare event given the two clubs have combined for 18 premierships since 1987 and will be chasing redemption. Sorrento has added ex-AFL players Sam Gibson and Luke Lowden to its list over summer, while YCW is confident it remains a genuine contender.

Narre Warren and Berwick clash in last year’s decider. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

AFL OUTER EAST

BERWICK v NARRE WARREN

Edwin Flack Reserve (Berwick) at 2.10pm

It will be the end of an era when Berwick plays host to Narre Warren in a stand-alone AFL Outer-East clash at Edwin Flack Reserve on Saturday. While the battle of the longtime rivals heralds the beginning of the newly-created competition, after the merger of AFL Yarra Ranges and the southeast Football Netball League last year, it will also farewell the former SEFNL in a rematch of the past two grand finals. Berwick, after its 51-point demolition in last year’s decider, will start favourite but the Magpies always save something extra for the Wickers. The match will provide the perfect warm-up for next week’s clash between Berwick and the reigning AFL Yarra Ranges champs Wandin.

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