All roads lead to Highgate Recreation Reserve for the 2025 Strathmore Community Bank Division Two grand final.
Only Westmeadows and Rupertswood remain, who will be premiers?
It was nearly a year ago to the day that Westmeadows was on the Division Two grand final stage against Taylors Lakes.
The result wasn’t to be, and the Tigers walked away with the feeling that nobody wants to experience on grand final day.
Now they’re back and looking to redeem themselves and do one better after what has been an astonishing season, searching for a first senior premiership in 41 years.
The Tigers have certainly been an impressive force this 2025 season despite a very slow start.
Opening the season with a 37-point loss to Coburg Districts would’ve had flattened the Westmeadows community after an off-season of optimism.
They went on to heap a mammoth 33.14 (212) on East Sunbury, picking up their first win of the season by 172 points. Had the Tigers found their winning ways?
No. The joy was short lived as they faced Glenroy and went down by 26 on Anzac Day.
Rupertswood was next in line and the Tigers sailed away 21-point winners, only for the Northern Saints to send Westmeadows to a 2-3 record just seven days later.
But finally, Westy had found their winning form.
The yellow and black outfit went on to win their next 10 matches. The longest winning streak by any side this season.
There were a few hiccups to close off the regular season, but that didn’t stop Westmeadows from storming over Keilor Park by 29 in last Sunday's preliminary final.
That’s how they’ve ended up here in the decider.
But if Westy has had one wild ride here, then what Rupertswood has been through is even more interesting.
Rupo only joined the EDFL in 2021 and are yet to win a senior premiership in the EDFL.
Contesting in the Division One competition, the Sharks narrowly missed relegation with a 2-9 record in a Covid-disrupted season.
The next season came along and so did a new form of Rupertswood footy.
Finishing with a 10-8 record, the Sharks were unlucky to finish out of the four, narrowly missing out on a finals berth.
But 12 months later that finals berth came. Rupertswood progressed all the way to the preliminary final but were unable to snag a grand final ticket.
The 2024 season wasn’t the greatest of years for the club with a huge list turnover, with the Sharks subject of relegation after finishing in the bottom two that season.
That brings us to their 2025 stint in Division Two.
It’s been nothing short of a strong year for the Sharks, with five straight wins kicking off their season.
After an abandoned match threw a spanner in the works for the side, they first tasted defeat in Round 7 when the Northern Saints also handed them a crucial reality check.
From there on, they went 7-4 and strung together some good performances including wins over Burnside Heights, Northern Saints, and Glenroy with respective margins of 84, 77, and 22.
Their fourth-place finish meant they had to take the long route to the preliminary final in order to qualify.
But that didn’t faze Rupertswood who put an end to Coburg Districts' dreams by 25 points.
Last weekend, Rupo defeated minor premiers Glenroy for the third time this season, this time by 41 points in a preliminary final.
With last week’s win over the Roys under their belt, Rupo carries some big confidence heading into this one.
But Westmeadows has one of the strongest line-ups in the division, so there will be no holding back on Saturday.
Jordan Kosteas and Ryan Capron find the most footy at the club with the pair averaging over 30 disposals per match.
They aren’t necessarily men who attack on the scoreboard, but their on-field presence is truly felt.
Aaron Evans is on a three-goal average and leads Westy’s goal scoring with 51 majors. He is also taking the most marks with a nine per game average that promotes fast ball movement.
In the defensive aspect we have Nathan Sparks who lays down nine tackles a match, his most being 14 against Rupertswood in Round 11.
But will Rupertswood make history and win the premiership from fourth?
They have the talent to do so.
One of the Sharks’ best assets is Jackson Cardillo, and he’ll be one to keep an eye on.
With a division-leading 16 best on ground listings to boast, Cardillo is racking up team-leading stats everywhere.
He’s their leader for disposals (32), clearances (nine), and tackles (eight), while also getting the ball inside 50 four times a game.
Fraser Phelan-Smith has been a scorecard standout in 2025 and hasn’t missed since Round 3. With a three-goal average and 51 season majors to his name, to what extent will he have an impact on Saturday?
Matt McDonald and Clayton Bonello will be a duo to watch with both earning nine best-on listings after match averages that knock on the door of 20 possessions.
With both Westy and Rupo displaying line-ups like these, we could be set for a very close contest.
Overall, it’s been a season of highlights and memories for both teams.
Westmeadows and Rupertswood would both be very deserving premiers. But as we know, only one can win.
It should be a cracking contest to cap off a magnificent season of Division Two football.
Come 5pm on Saturday, we will know who will write their name in the history books.
Season Meetings
Round 4: Westmeadows 13.3 (81) def. Rupertswood 8.12 (60)
Round 11: Westmeadows 12.12 (84) def. Rupertswood 12.9 (81)
