The 2022 Essendon District Football League fixture is full of blockbusters

Strathmore faces arch-rivals Keilor and Aberfeldie in Good Friday and Queen’s Birthday blockbusters. They’re just two of the top 10 games to watch in 2022.

Keilor and Strathmore will clash on Good Friday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Reigning premier Strathmore and arch-rival Keilor are set for a Good Friday showdown in 2022.

The two Essendon District Premier Division powerhouses are part of a Good Friday triple-header on April 15.

Hillside and Sunbury Kangaroos will clash in Division 1 and Coburg Districts will host Keilor Park in Division 2 in a standalone weekend.

Strathmore will also feature in an Anzac Day triple-header against Glenroy and in a standalone fixture against Aberfeldie on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.

Avondale Heights and Aberfeldie and Airport West and Westmeadows will also clash on Monday, April 25.

Samuel Cattapan of Aberfeldie celebrates a goal.

Division 1 and 2 will have a bye on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.

With Easter later in 2022, the season will kick off with a full slate of games on Saturday, April 2.

Promotion-winner East Keilor will host Essendon Doutta Stars in their first match in the top flight since 2006.

Avondale Heights is at home against Strathmore, Keilor hosts Greenvale, Aberfeldie will begin life under new coach Adam Marcon at home to Maribrynong Park and Glenroy welcomes Pascoe Vale.

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TOP 10 GAMES TO WATCH

STRATHMORE v KEILOR

Lebanon Reserve, Good Friday, April 15

What a way to celebrate Good Friday. The biggest clash of the public holiday triple-header will have Lebanon Reserve packed to the rafters. Both teams will be desperate to assert early season dominance after finishing tied on points in 2021.

STRATHMORE v EAST KEILOR

Lebanon Reserve, Saturday, April 30

The promoted Cougars first test against a Premier Division heavyweight. Past promotion-winners haven’t fared well in previous seasons but East Keilor is built differently and has plenty of star power of its own.

ABERFELDIE v KEILOR

Clifton Park, Saturday, April 30

The powerhouse blockbusters come thick and fast in the early rounds and Abers v Keilor will be must-watch. Both clubs have claims to premiership favouritism and will be looking to get an early win over a hated rival.

COBURG DISTRICTS v OAK PARK

Cole Reserve, Saturday, April 30

Who is ready to take the mantle from Moonee Valley. The Division 2 premiership race is wide open in 20222 but Districts and Oak Park, having finished third and second respectively will certainly have high expectations.

MOONEE VALLEY v SUNBURY KANGAROOS

Ormond Park, Saturday May 14

A rematch of the 2019 Division 2 grand final should be a beauty. Both teams are obviously very different, three years on, but there’ll still be plenty of spice. The Fog will be keen to establish themselves as a force having stepped up.

Sunbury Kangaroos and Moonee Valley will face off for the first time since the 2019 Division 2 grand final.

AIRPORT WEST v TULLAMARINE

Hansen Reserve, Saturday May 14

The two clubs most likely to succeed East Keilor and vie for the Division 1 title clash for the first time in May. The pair split their games in 2021, Tulla took a 25-point win and the Eagles a two-point thriller. Expect another classic.

MARIBRYNONG PARK v PASCOE VALE

Monk Park, Saturday, May 14

The two teams have been battling for that fourth and final top-four spot for a few years now and they’ll be certainly in the mix again in 2022. The Lions have secured Sean Hetherington and the Cougars have added Paul Ahern in what should be an enthralling midfield battle.

TULLAMARINE v CRAIGIEBURN

Leo Dineen Reserve, Saturday, May 21

Relegated Craigieburn is rebuilding and faces a tough test against last season’s Division 1 runner-up Tullamarine. The Eagles will not want to endure a second straight losing season and the Demons will be looking to assert their dominance over the competition.

OAK PARK v TAYLORS LAKES

Fawkner Reserve, Saturday June 4

Last season’s Division 2 runner-up Oak Park hosts relegated Taylors Lakes in a test of both clubs finals credentials. Can Taylors Lakes bounce straight back or is Oak Park ready to make the move up?

STRATHMORE v ABERFELDIE

Windy Hill, Saturday, June 11 (Queen’s Birthday)

Local footy fans will have to wait until June for the first meeting between the Premier Division premiership rivals. The blockbuster will be the only EDFL match on that weekend and has been scheduled for Windy Hill, highlighting its significance.