GRAND Final fever commences this Saturday when the Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 Grand Final is played at Windy Hill.
Neither Coburg Districts nor Jacana have ever won a senior premiership in the EDFL, so it will be exciting to see which club emerges victorious and creates history.
Coburg Districts last played in an EDFL Grand Final in 1985, losing to Airport West by 18 points. The Club has tasted premiership success at senior level, winning the 1988 Footscray District Football League Grand Final in their second season in what is now known as the Western Region Football League. That victory remains the Club’s sole senior premiership since its formation in 1981.
Jacana’s last trip to Windy Hill was much more recent, having played in the 2015 Grand Final against Hadfield.
However, the club is yet to win a senior premiership since transferring to the EDFL in 2001 (along with Craigieburn), with their last senior premiership a 22-point win over Wallan in 2000 in their final season in the Riddell District Football League. In all the club has won three senior premierships since it was founded in 1961.
Across the four games played between these two teams this year, each club has two wins apiece, with Jacana winning in Rounds 1 and 8, whilst Coburg Districts prevailed in Round 18 and in the second semi-final.
Both teams will rightfully be confident heading into the match and there is sure to be little between the two teams at the final siren.
Sunday will feature the Essendon Ford Division 1 Grand Final in what will be an intriguing match at Windy Hill.
Glenroy is a club with a rich history of premiership success with 10 senior premierships in the Essendon District Football League. Their last taste of premiership success was in 2008. Glenroy is no stranger to Windy Hill, having played in the 2013 Grand Final, with the club keen to add to their trophy cabinet.
Standing before them is a rejuvenated Airport West who have defied all odds in reaching the Grand Final, with many pundits tipping the team to finish outside the top four.
Of the quartet of clubs playing in a Grand Final this weekend, it is Airport West who have most recently tasted premiership success with their win in the 2012 Grand Final against West Coburg the most recent of their four senior premierships.
Glenroy has had Airport West’s measure in their two meetings thus far. But considering everyone had written off Airport West six weeks ago, their recent form has shown that they cannot be taken for granted.
It is a tremendous effort from all four clubs to reach their respective Grand Finals and the best of luck to both clubs and players for this weekend.
The Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division Preliminary Final will also be captivating viewing.
Greenvale will be hurting after their second semi-final loss to Aberfeldie and will be looking to make amends at Coburg City Oval. But Maribyrnong Park are a determined outfit and capable of causing an upset against the minor premiers. Aberfeldie will be interested onlookers, waiting to see who they will play in the Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division Grand Final on September 16.
I hope everyone enjoys their weekend of EDFL finals football. Congratulations and best of luck to all teams playing this weekend.
Marc Turri, EDFL CEO
