The Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 Grand Final rematch highlights an enticing weekend of games in the top flight.
Plenty of eyes will be on the Montmorency and Heidelberg contest at Montmorency Park North Oval.
It’s one of the biggest games in the NFNL calendar, with both occupying two of the top three spots by the end of the season since 2022.
Both have had differing starts to 2025, with Nick Rutley’s men sitting in fifth place having won two and lost two so far this season.
The Magpies two losses have come away from home, which includes their loss last weekend to North Heidelberg.
Patrick Dozzi’s return from suspension was a successful one. Matt Shannon, William Bella and Sam Binion each kicked two or more goals while Brock Binion was in the coaches votes in his first game of the year.
This weekend will be their biggest test to date against a Heidelberg side who look to be the benchmark of Division 1 yet again.
The three-time reigning premiers are still undefeated and have a percentage greater than 300 after the opening month of the season.
From Brayden Sier to Zane Barzen, they continue to find avenues to goal. Coaches MVP Leader Dylan Clarke also continues to excel in midfield alongside Luke Bunker.
It’s been a while since the Tigers have gone down to Montmorency having won four in a row against them, which includes their two finals meetings last year.
Outside of their two finals meetings in 2024 they’ve had some enthralling duels over the years and with good conditions expected on Saturday, it could be a similar story.
Finals aspirants Hurstbridge and Banyule will look to cement their status as a contender this year when they do battle at Ben Frilay Oval.
Only half a game separates the two, with the winner of this game most likely to finish the round in second.
Currently sitting in that position is Banyule who continue to make strides under Damian Truslove’s stewardship.
The Bears made it three wins in the opening month of the season last year with a tight victory over Bundoora at Beverley Road Oval.
Missing Kurt Aylett, Jack Sammartino and Sam McLarty, James Kayrooz, Noah Wheeler and Devin McDonald came to the fore.
Kayrooz finished with five goals while Wheeler and McDonald both polled well in the Coaches MVP award.
This weekend will be the fourth time Banyule faces a 2024 finalist and the third time they go on the road to meet one.
Hurstbridge will also be a dangerous proposition having returned to the winners list in convicning fashion against West Preston-Lakeside.
William Cookson, Harry O’Brien and Mitchell Dale impressed in the 62-point victory over the Roosters last weekend at J.E. Moore Park.
That game saw them keep the hosts to just 29 points from 14 scoring shots whilst they kicked 14 goals and seven behinds.
Joel Cordwell’s men were unable to defeat the Bears last year, going down by 30 and 18 points respectively.
Their last meeting at Ben Frilay Oval saw 28 goals kicked between the two sides. And with both having potent attacks, there could be a similar amount of goals kicked this weekend.
Greensborough and North Heidelberg will be looking to win for the third time this year when they lock horns at War Memorial Park.
There’ve been some exciting contests between the Borough and Bulldogs over the past few years, including their most recent matchup at Preston City Oval in a semi-final.
That day Matthew Hyde’s men progressed through to the preliminary final and ended Jason Heatley’s tenure as North Heidelberg coach on a sour note.
A bit has changed since then; however they’re still sides who could once again play at the pointy end of the season.
Greensborough currently sit outside the top five and enter this weekend fresh having last played in Round 3 against South Morang at Saturday’s venue.
They returned to the winners list that day with a 38-point victory. Darcy Blakeley was the star performer that day, picking up nine coaches votes and kicking three goals.
On the other hand, North Heidelberg enter this weekend having defeated Montmorency at Shelley Street last Saturday.
Jesse Tardio caught the eye of the coaches, claiming the perfect 10 coaches votes, while Zane Souleiman had a breakout five-goal performance.
Outside of their semi-final Greensborough and North Heidelberg split the difference during their regular season meetings.
This game has the potential to be just as high scoring as the three matchups between the duo in 2024 where each side kicked a minimum of 90 points.
It’s a crucial early season game for Bundoora and South Morang at Yulong Reserve on Saturday as both look to claim their first points of the season.
Neither are yet to register a win, with Bundoora’s solid percentage of 87.15 seeing them occupy ninth place.
It’s been a promising opening month from Heath Scotland’s side who are still winless after the opening month of season 2025.
Last weekend they suffered heartbreak against Banyule. Having led by 29 points at half time, the Bulls still went down by eight points.
Plenty of positives came out of that game though for Heath Scotland, including the performances of Luke Lo Valvo, Jesse King and captain Peter McEvoy.
This weekend is as good an opportunity for Bundoora to win their first game of the season against newcomers South Morang.
Gary Hall’s side will be a tough proposition though having shown some promise in the first month of the season.
In their 48-point loss to Heidelberg last weekend some new and familiar names stepped up to the plate, including Teague van Zwienen, young gun Christian Mardini and Mitchell Kalpakis.
They’ll all need to perform at their best, alongside the likes of Jesse John Christidis, Tyrone Leonardis, Bailey Brown and Nathan Stefanile, when they meet the Bulls for the first time since 1981.
An intriguing seventh v eighth duel is set to take place this weekend between Eltham and West Preston-Lakeside at Eltham Central Park.
Both have had some promising performances this year and sit on two wins and two losses respectively.
Tim Bongetti’s men will be the fresher of the two sides and will be eager to get back on the park having lost their most recent game against neighbours Montmorency.
Harvey Furlong and Mitchell Green picked up coaches votes that game while Alex Jacobs and Bronson Glasgow were serviceable.
They could be bolstered by the return of Jason McCormick this weekend as well who is someone that can add some potency to Eltham’s attack and midfield.
West Preston-Lakeside were the opposite of potent last Saturday against Hurstbridge, kicking 3.11 in front of their home faithful.
The Roosters inaccuracy still didn’t stop Riley Clarke from continuing his strong start to the season, with captain Max Dreher also contributing in the 62-point loss.
Ian Aitken’s men won quite comfortably on both occasions against Eltham last year. With the Panthers a better side this year though, Saturday’s game could be another close one.
