Where you can watch local footy on Good Friday
There’s set to be several local footy blockbusters on Good Friday. Here’s every fixture you can watch across Victoria.
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Looking for your local footy fix on Good Friday?
Well there’s plenty of options right across the state.
Here’s where you’ll be able to catch a game.
METRO FIXTURES
EASTERN
Premier Division — Balwyn v Blackburn at Balwyn Park, 2.20pm
A fourth Good Friday bout awaits the pair which both featured in the 2022 Premier Division finals. The Burners took the points in the clash in 2017 and ’19 before the Tigers broke through last year with a 67-point win. The day will also mark former Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson’s first official match in charge of Balwyn, after he replaced Rodney Eade at the end of last season. Blackburn and Balwyn last met in Round 12 last year, with Blackburn prevailing by 40 points.
Division 2 — Waverley Blues v Mulgrave at Mt Waverley Reserve, 2.20pm
The Blues return to the big stage for a second consecutive year, taking on a Mulgrave outfit searching for its first victory of 2023. Former Western Bulldogs Lin Jong and Fletcher Roberts will be on show for the Lions, while the Blues will be out to break a club record with a 19th consecutive victory following the Division 3 flag last year. The Waverley Blues prevailed on Good Friday in 2022 in their clash with Ferntree Gully and haven’t lost a match in more than a year, hitting the ground running with a win in their first Division 2 match last weekend.
ESSENDON DISTRICT
Premier Division — Keilor v Strathmore at Joe Brown Oval, 2.15pm
In the traditional clash of the two powerhouse clubs, we’ll get our first look at reigning premier Strathmore under new coach Marty Allison. Meanwhile, Mick McGuane is back to once again lead Keilor into battle as they look to bounce back from an elimination final loss last year.
Division 1 — Hillside v Keilor Park at Hillside Reserve, 2.15pm
Finals fancy Hillside welcomes the newly promoted Keilor Park in what should be an exciting clash. Many are tipping a comfortable Sharks victory but the Devils are going to be right up for the fight.
Division 1 — Craigieburn v Roxburgh Park at D.S Aitken Reserve, 2.15pm
It’s the start of a new chapter for Craigieburn as they prepare to welcome Roxburgh Park who are eying off a place in the top-four after a busy off-season on the recruiting front.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
Division 1 — Dromana v Red Hill at Dromana Recreation Reserve, 2pm
Division 2 — Chelsea v Edithvale-Aspendale at Chelsea Recreation Reserve, 2pm
Division 2 — Tyabb v Rye at Bunguyan Reserve, 2pm
The MPFNL will stage a triple treat of Good Friday matches as the exciting start to the 2023 season continues.
Local rivalries don’t get much bigger than Dromana and Red Hill, who kick off their seasons with a Good Friday clash. These two clubs always produce close games; they had a 49-all draw last season and the year before Red Hill edged Dromana by a point. All eyes will be on Dromana’s star signing, ex-AFL Tiger Jake Aarts, while Red Hill will unveil two ex-AFL recruits, former Lion Josh Clayton and ex-Bulldog Josh Prudden.
In their first meeting since 2017, Chelsea and Edithvale-Aspendale reignite one of biggest rivalries the MPFNL. After being relegated from Division 1, the Eagles are hellbent on bouncing back strongly, securing a great collection of recruits, including Frankston Dolphins defender Liam Hiscock, VAFA ruckman Alex Browne and Cheltenham defender Daniel Harrison. The Seagulls have also recruited strongly, headed by Myrtleford champion Matthew Dussin and Archie Thomson, from Wangaratta Rovers.
Tyabb will host Rye in a match full of interest with both sides set to unveil star recruits. The Yabbies will be keen to start with a win after picking up Frankston Bombers guns Sam Fox and Dale Sutton. Rye’s midfield is set for an injection of pace and experience after securing ex-AFL speedster Billy Hartung.
NORTHERN
Division 1 - Macleod v Greensborough at DeWinton Park, 2.10pm.
Hopefully the weather holds off and we get a good crowd to watch Michael Hurley’s return to Macleod and Jack Newnes debut for Greensborough. These two teams will be squarely in the fight for a top-five finish and Friday is a good opportunity to lay down an early marker.
Division 2 - Eltham v Panton Hill at Central Park, 2.10pm.
The premiership favourite against the pre-season improvers. Eltham will be under new coach Tim Bongetti for the first time and are expected to unveil key recruits Jesse Donaldson, Tom Goodwin and Liam Frazer. Panton Hill, meanwhile, will be looking to make a mark after a big summer, signing the likes of Tom Keys, Matt Duckworth, Brayden and Josh Callaway and Riley Livingstone.
Division 2 - Epping v Thomastown at Epping Recreation Reserve, 2.10pm
There’s been massive changes over summer at Epping and the home fans will get their first look at a host of new faces, including AFL Sydney recruit Andrew Denoon. Under new coach Peter Bugden, Thomastown will be chasing a big win to kick-start their campaign after recruiting the likes of Josh Mazzarella and Makka Zakkour.
RIDDELL DISTRICT
Woodend-Hesket v Riddell at Gilbert Gordon Oval, 2pm.
A big test for both clubs. Woodend is looking to challenge for a top-five spot and will unleash new recruits Ben Toman, Kyle Baker, Tim Martin, Sam Medlands, Ethan Minns and Riley Paterson. Paterson will be facing his former club, reigning premier Riddell. The Bombers too have some strong additions with former captains Matt Panuccio and Haydn Ross returning.
SOUTHERN
Division 1 — Cranbourne v Cheltenham at Livingston Reserve, Cranbourne, 2.15pm
Cranbourne will welcome Cheltenham in the Southern Division 1 grand final rematch. The Eagles defeated the Rosellas by a kick in the 2022 decider in wet and windy conditions. Des Ryan and his men have taken the defeat personally and will be looking for redemption in the competition’s opener.
Division 3 — Heatherton v Frankston Dolphins at Heatherton Recreation Reserve, 2pm
The relegated meets the promoted. After being demoted from Division 2, Heatherton will host Frankston Dolphins, which was promoted from Division 4. Like Cheltenham, the Dolphins will be eager to collect four points after losing its only game of the season in last year’s grand final.
WESTERN REGION
Division 1 — Hoppers Crossing v Point Cook at Hogans Rd Oval, 2.15pm
Both sides enter the new season under the watchful eye of new coaches and this contest shapes up as an interesting one first up. The Warriors appear to be weaker than last season while the Dogs are eyeing off a finals place after a busy summer.
Division 2 — Albion v Sunshine at JR Parsons Reserve, 2.15pm
Old rivals will come together for the first time in a couple of years, but in different circumstances to usual. Recent history had these two clubs facing off in Division 1 but their recent struggles sees them aiming for a fast start as they race to get back to the top tier.
COUNTRY FIXTURES
THE STANDOUTS
Ballarat — Redan v Lake Wendouree at City Oval, 3.15pm
The standalone season opener for the Ballarat competition. Redan will enter as strong favourites as Lake Wendouree looks to make major improvements this season.
Goulburn Valley — Benalla v Seymour at Benalla Showgrounds, 2pm; Shepparton v Shepparton United at Deakin Reserve, 6pm
A standout day to start the 2023 Goulburn Valley season. All four clubs are littered with young stars and are desperate to make rises up the ladder this season.
Ovens and Murray — Wangaratta Rovers v Wangaratta, WJ Findlay Oval
The Magpies will take to the field for the first time since having their 2022 premiership stripped for salary cap breaches and their crosstown rivals will be desperate to add salt into the wounds.
OTHER GAMES
Bellarine — Ocean Grove v Newcomb at Shell Rd Recreation Reserve, 2.10pm; Torquay v Queenscliff at McCartney Oval, 4.10pm; Geelong Amateur v Modewarre, Queens Park Reserve, 5.10pm.
Central Murray — Cohuna v Woorinen at Cohuna Recreation Reserve, 2.30pm.
Colac and District — Alvie v Colac Imperials at Alvie Recreation Reserve, 6pm.
Murray — Mulwala v Congupna at Lonsdale Oval, 2pm; Tocumwal v Numurkah at Tocumwal Recreation Reserve, 2pm; Nathalia v Tongala at Nathalia Recreation Reserve, 2pm; Echuca United v Moama at Echuca South Recreation Reserve, 2pm; Barooga v Cobram at Barooga Recreation Reserve, 2pm; Finley v Deniliquin Rams at Finley Recreation Reserve, 6pm.
North Gippsland — Yarram v Yallourn Yallourn North at Yarram Recreation Reserve, 3.15pm.
Ovens and King — Greta v Moyhu at Greta Recreation Reserve, 2pm; Bonnie Doon v Benalla All Blacks at Bonnie Doon Recreation Reserve, 2pm.
Warrnambool and District — Old Collegians v Merrival at Davidson Oval, 2.20pm.
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