Several sides are fighting for their place in September, while others are looking to build momentum heading into the final rounds.
Diamond Creek and Greensborough meet in a contest with major finals implications, while several clubs remain locked in a tight battle for their position on the ladder. With the season reaching its business end, every result becomes increasingly important as clubs look to secure their place in September.
Bundoora will look to strengthen its position inside the top five when it hosts Hurstbridge in a crucial clash.
The Bulls have been one of the competition’s most consistent sides throughout 2026 and enter the contest sitting in fourth position. Their ability to generate scoreboard pressure through their forward line has been a key strength, with Liam Mallia and Jesse King providing a dangerous combination inside 50.
Bundoora has also received strong contributions through the midfield and off half-back with O’Neill Moncrieff and Hugo Crawford among the club’s most consistent performers throughout the season.
Hurstbridge enters the contest sitting seventh and will be looking to cause an upset against a side pushing for finals. The Bridges have shown throughout the year that they can compete with quality opposition, with their midfield group led by Cam Wild and Blake Fitzgerald providing plenty of drive.
Cooper Perrin has remained an important target inside 50, and Hurstbridge will need a strong defensive effort to limit Bundoora’s attacking weapons.
With Bundoora chasing a top-five finish and Hurstbridge looking to keep its season alive, this shapes as an important contest for both clubs.
A significant finals battle awaits when second-placed Diamond Creek hosts fifth-placed Greensborough.
Diamond Creek has established itself as one of the benchmark teams in Division 1 this season, producing a remarkable run of form that included victories over several premiership contenders. The Creekers’ ability to win contested football and perform under pressure has been a major feature of their campaign.
Darcy MacPherson, Dale Marshall and Nathan Searl have been central to their success, while their forward line continues to find dangerous avenues to goal.
Greensborough enters the clash sitting inside the top five and will view this as a major opportunity to test itself against one of the competition’s leading sides.
The Borough have found consistency in recent weeks, with Tom Mitchell providing significant impact through the midfield and Raydan Garrard proving a dangerous option in attack.
With both sides looking to finish the season strongly, this contest could have a major impact on the final shape of the top five.
Montmorency will travel to face Banyule in a clash between two sides heading in different directions on the ladder.
The Magpies enter the contest sitting third and remain firmly in premiership contention. Their balanced midfield group and ability to spread the scoring load have made them one of the hardest teams to match up against throughout the season.
Nash Holmes has continued to be one of the competition’s standout midfielders, while William Bella and Corey Sleep have provided plenty of quality across the ground.
Banyule faces a difficult challenge sitting ninth but will be determined to produce a strong performance against one of the competition’s best sides. The Bears have shown throughout the season that they can compete in patches, but consistency across four quarters has been the challenge.
Jean-Luc Velissaris remains a key player for Banyule, with his work around stoppages and ability to win contested possession continuing to be a major strength.
While Montmorency enters as favourite, Banyule will be looking to make life difficult for the Magpies and finish the season strongly.
North Heidelberg and Eltham meet in an important contest for both sides as they look to build momentum late in the season.
The Dogs sit eighth and have endured a challenging campaign, but they have shown plenty of competitive signs throughout the year. Their midfield group, led by Jamison Shea, will need to be at its best against an Eltham side still fighting for finals positioning, while ruckman Nash Ramage’s battle in the middle of the ground will be crucial in providing North Heidelberg with first use of the football.
Eltham currently sits sixth and remains within touching distance of the top five. The Panthers have shown they can match it with the competition’s best on their day, with Alexander Bellchambers and Kai Turner among their most influential players.
With finals positions still to be determined, Eltham cannot afford to drop games against sides below them on the ladder.
For North Heidelberg, this represents another opportunity to measure itself against a finals contender and build confidence heading into the final rounds.
The competition’s bottom side faces its toughest challenge when West Preston-Lakeside hosts ladder leader Heidelberg.
Heidelberg has been the benchmark throughout 2026, sitting comfortably in first position and continuing to produce dominant performances across all areas of the ground.
The Tigers possess one of the deepest squads in the competition, with Dylan Clarke and Tom Keys leading a powerful midfield group, while Jack Andrew and Jordan Smith remain dangerous scoring options.
West Preston-Lakeside has endured a difficult season but has shown encouraging signs throughout the year, including its breakthrough victory over Eltham earlier in the season. The Roosters will be hoping to finish the year strongly and test themselves against the competition’s best. A week off should have them fresh and ready to go.
Kristian Lawson and Aleksandr D’Arro have been important contributors throughout the season and will need to lead the way if the Roosters are to challenge Heidelberg. Matthew Harman’s mid-season return has also given them a boost in the midfield and his battle with Tigers big man Sam Gilmore will be worth watching.
While Heidelberg enters as the clear favourite, West Preston-Lakeside will see this as an opportunity to showcase its improvement against the league’s benchmark side.
