Keilor begins its Essendon District Football League premier division premiership defence against Essendon Doutta Stars in a Sunday stand-alone match.
The season gets under way on April 1, with the Blues and Stars facing off the following day as one of five Sunday matches to be held across the season. All 10 clubs will play a Sunday match in 2016-17.
The Blues don’t have to wait long for a grand final rematch against Aberfeldie, with the two teams to face off in round two when the Blues unveil their premiership flag. They play each other a second time in round 11.
Keilor will again feature in the showcase Good Friday match against Strathmore, with all other division 1 matches the following weekend.
In division 1, Hillside and Taylors Lakes will have a delayed start to the season. All other division 1 matches will be played on April 1, but the round one match-up between local rivals Hillside and Taylors Lakes is scheduled for Good Friday. That match will be played between rounds two and three.
With its round one match not being played until a fortnight later, Taylors Lakes will start its season against relegated Airport West, while Hillside will play Hadfield on April 8.
Hillside and Taylors Lakes will play for a second time in round 10.
All teams will have two byes. Taylors Lakes has the bye in the final round.
In division 2, Keilor Park faces the relegated Northern Saints side in round 1.
Keilor Park was the big improver this year, going from seventh to fourth. The Devils face fellow finalists Moonee Valley and Roxburgh Park in rounds four and five respectively. For a second straight season, Burnside Heights will start its season under lights against East Sunbury.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Bears, who face three finalists of last season in the next four rounds. The Devils and Bears face off in round five and again in round 12.
This season, all divisions will have the interleague weekend of May 13-14 off, while only one match will be played on the Queen’s Birthday weekend.
All three EDFL grand finals have been put back a week from this year. The division 2 grand final will be held on September 9, the division 1 decider a day later and the Premier division grand final the following week.
