BUNDOORA, VIC. (NFNL HQ). — The second half of the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 season begins with a crucial round of football that could have a significant impact on both the top five race and the battle for ladder position heading towards finals.
Last weekend delivered one of the biggest results of the year as Diamond Creek handed Heidelberg its first loss in 646 days, while Montmorency continued its impressive rise up the ladder. With several sides separated by only a handful of wins, every result is becoming increasingly important as the race for September football heats up.
Hurstbridge returns to Ben Frilay Oval looking to snap a three-game losing streak when it hosts West Preston-Lakeside on Saturday afternoon.
Despite recent form, the Bridges remain inside the top five and will be eager to return to the level of football that saw them establish themselves as a finals contender during the opening half of the season.
Last week’s loss to Eltham showed that there’s still plenty to like about Hurstbridge’s game, particularly through the midfield where Cam Wild continued his outstanding season with 30 disposals and 12 clearances.
Cooper Perrin also remains an important piece of the puzzle inside 50 after kicking three goals against the Panthers.
West Preston-Lakeside enters the clash with renewed confidence despite remaining winless. The Roosters pushed Banyule all the way in Round 9 and looked on track to secure their first victory of the season before being overrun late.
Kristian Lawson was again one of the standout performers with 31 disposals and 12 clearances, while the Roosters showed significant improvement across all areas of the ground.
Hurstbridge will start as favourite, but if West Preston-Lakeside can replicate the intensity and pressure it displayed last weekend, this contest could be much closer than the ladder suggests.
There is a strong case that the battle between Montmorency and Diamond Creek could be the match of the round.
Both the Magpies and Creekers enter Round 10 as two of the hottest teams in the competition and both arrive full of confidence after impressive victories last week.
Montmorency continued its outstanding run of form with a convincing win over North Heidelberg. They controlled the contest from the opening bounce and once again demonstrated the balance that has made them such a difficult side to stop in recent weeks.
Nash Holmes continues to enjoy an exceptional season and was influential again with 34 disposals and seven clearances, while Sam Binion and Isaac Baldwin have provided integral run and composure around the ground. Up forward, Matthew Clark remains a constant threat after booting five goals last weekend.
Meanwhile, Diamond Creek produced arguably the result of the season by becoming the first side to defeat Heidelberg in 2026.
The Creekers trailed at every change before storming home in the final quarter, highlighting both its resilience and belief. Liam Farrar made a spectacular return from Carlton duties with six goals, while Jacob Booth and Ewan Macpherson were instrumental through the midfield.
With both sides in outstanding form and carrying genuine momentum, this shapes as one of the most important matches of the season so far. The winner will take another significant step towards establishing itself as a genuine premiership contender.
Eltham and Greensborough meet in a clash that could have major implications for the top five race.
The Panthers moved into finals contention after defeating Hurstbridge and have quietly built one of the stronger campaigns in the competition. Eltham has found consistency through its midfield group, led by Jason McCormick and Alexander Bellchambers, who were again among the best in Round 9.
McCormick’s ability to impact both around stoppages and on the scoreboard has become a major weapon for the Panthers, while Bellchambers continues to provide important support through the middle.
Greensborough arrives after producing one of the upsets of the round against Bundoora.
The Borough controlled much of the contest and was rewarded with an important ten-point victory that moved them to within striking distance of the top five. Jackson Hasler was influential with 26 disposals and seven inside 50s, while the return of Will Mitchell provided an immediate boost to the midfield group.
A win for Eltham would help consolidate its place inside the top five, while a Greensborough victory would further tighten the race for finals spots.
All eyes will be on Heidelberg as the Tigers look to respond from its first defeat of the season with the next contest coming against North Heidelberg.
For much of 2026, Heidelberg has been the benchmark of the competition, but last week’s loss to Diamond Creek showed that even the ladder leaders can be challenged.
The Tigers still possess one of the competition’s strongest midfield groups, with Dylan Clarke collecting 35 disposals against the Creekers and Tom Keys continuing his dominant season with another massive clearance performance.
North Heidelberg faces a difficult challenge but will take confidence from the fact that derby matches often produce unexpected results.
The Bulldogs has shown that it can compete with quality opposition throughout the season and will look to leaders such as Cooper Bugeja, Parker Heatley and Max Yeoland to help drive a response following last week’s defeat to Montmorency.
Heidelberg will be determined to make a statement, while North Heidelberg would love nothing more than to claim a major scalp against its local rival.
The final match of the round sees Banyule host Bundoora in an important clash for both sides.
The Bears enter after a gritty victory over West Preston-Lakeside, where they were forced to fight their way back into the contest during the final quarter. Banyule’s ability to stay in the game and find a way to secure the points highlighted the resilience that has become a feature of its season.
Jean-Luc Velissaris continues to be one of the competition’s standout performers and was once again dominant last weekend with 43 disposals and 12 clearances.
Meanwhile, Bundoora will be eager to bounce back after suffering a disappointing home loss to Greensborough. The Bulls remain capable of matching it with any sides on their day and will be looking for a strong response from a group that has shown plenty of quality throughout the season.
With both sides desperate to build momentum heading deeper into the year, expect a fiercely contested battle where every possession will matter.
