Best Melbourne suburban football matches to see during AFL bye week
NO AFL this weekend? No worries — plenty of former stars will be in action across Melbourne’s local footy leagues. Here’s our ultimate guide to the suburban finals worth catching.
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NO AFL this weekend? No worries.
Plenty of former AFL players, including North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey, are set to be in action at local grounds across Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday.
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Here’s your ultimate guide of who you can watch and where as finals kick off in most top-flight suburban competitions.
NORTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
West Preston-Lakeside v North Heidelberg (Division 1 qualifying final at Preston City Oval)
Saturday, September 1
Names don’t get much bigger than AFL games record holder Brent Harvey, who is playing at North Heidelberg alongside his brother Shane. ‘Boomer’ is still a star at the age of 40, as evidenced by his tally of 52 goals from 17 matches in 2018.
West Preston-Lakeside has a major weapon in its forward line in Ahmed Saad, who has booted 52 goals from 11 games this year, while Patrick Karnezis is also a Rooster.
Bundoora v Greensborough (Division 1 elimination final at Preston City Oval)
Sunday, September 2
Bundoora has ex-Essendon pair Ricky Dyson (who is a playing coach) and Gary Moorcroft in its squad.
The Bulls had a slow start to the year as they chase back-to-back flags, but enter finals in impressive form. This should be an enthralling contest.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA NEPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Sorrento v Pines (Division 1 qualifying final at Alexandra Park)
Sunday, September 2
Sorrento has been a powerhouse club in recent years and claimed a three-peat of flags between 2010 and 2012. Chris Dawes, Luke Tapscott and Mitch Hallahan headline the big names, while Troy Schwarze — who coached the club to last year’s flag — has played three games this year.
Sharpshooter Aaron Edwards, who has 65 goals from 17 games this year including a bag of 12 against Bonbeach in June, will need to perform strongly for Pines to grab victory.
ESSENDON DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Keilor v Aberfeldie (Premier Division major semi-final at Windy Hill)
Saturday, September 1
This is a mouth-watering match up and there is no shortage of talent, with minor premier Keilor (coached by Mick McGuane) boasting Andrew Browne and Damien Cavka in its squad, while Ivan Maric has also played two games for the Blues this season.
Aberfeldie’s talent-laden squad includes Josh Toy, Courtney Johns, Tom Hislop, Mark Austin, Luke Davis, Luke Blackwell and Kyle Reimers, who has only played two games for its senior side this year.
Strathmore v Greenvale (Premier Division elimination final at Windy Hill)
Sunday, September 2
Greenvale is coached by three-time Geelong premiership player Paul Chapman, who mentors the likes of Courtenay Dempsey, Addam Maric and Fabian Deluca.
Nathan Grima is a playing coach at Strathmore, which has been one of the competition’s form teams in the second half of the year. The Mores also have Hamish McIntosh and Nick Lower in their squad.
EASTERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Doncaster East v Upper Ferntree Gully (Division 2 major semi-final at Tormore Reserve)
Saturday, September 1
Former Melbourne and Carlton midfielder Brock McLean is an assistant coach at Doncaster East, which finished on top of the ladder with a 15-3 record. The Lions also have Simon White in their squad after he joined them over summer. Their ex-Carlton-listed teammate Dillon Viojo-Rainbow kicked four goals last weekend and has also qualified for the club’s finals campaign.
Upper Ferntree Gully is coached by Joel Perry, who made eight appearances for North Melbourne in 2006.
VICTORIAN AMATEUR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
St Kevins v Collegians (Premier major semi-final at Elsternwick Park)
Saturday, September 1
Last year’s grand finalists have again been the pacesetters in the top grade of the VAFA and if you look at their squads, you’ll see why.
Mitch Brown, James Strauss, Jay Schultz and Stephen Gilham have featured for reigning premier St Kevins this season, while Collegians have Taylor Hunt, Viv Michie, George Burbury and Will Johnson at their disposal.
WESTERN REGION FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Deer Park v Werribee Districts (Division 1 qualifying final at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval)
Saturday, September 1
Deer Park is shooting for a sixth consecutive flag in the WRFL and has one of the best squads in suburban football. As far as former AFL players go, Shannon Byrnes calls the club home, as does Paul Bower and Ryan Houlihan, who hasn’t featured in the senior line-up since May.
The Lions are led by Marc Bullen, while Steve Kretiuk coaches Hoppers Crossing.
RIDDELL DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Riddell v Diggers Rest (Qualifying final at Sunbury’s Clarke Oval)
Saturday, September 1
Riddell will enter this contest as the favourite on the back of a 14-game winning run, but Diggers Rest — one of the competition’s leading clubs in recent years — should not be discounted with the likes of Cale Morton, Taylor Hine and Brent Tuckey continuing to perform strongly.
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