Strathmore and Keilor will square off in a blockbuster Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division grand final at Windy Hill this Saturday.
Saturday’s match will be a replay of the 2023 decider, as well as the semi final matchup of two weeks ago.
The Mores will be gunning for their first premiership since 2022, with victory on Saturday marking the club’s eleventh A-grade flag in their history.
Nick Ash’s side had a shaky end to the regular season with losses to Aberfeldie and Airport West, however have regathered and won their two finals comprehensively.
The side has been boosted by the returns of Kyle Weightman and Matthew Allison, with the pair kicking five goals between them in the qualifying final victory over Aberfeldie.
Keilor has been the most dominant side across the competition during the last three seasons and will be looking for back-to-back premierships.
A win for the Blues would also mark a fifth premiership for legendary coach Mick McGuane as well as a fourth premiership for Kane Barbuto and Mason Thomas.
The reigning premiers had an almost faultless home-and-away campaign once again, however lost to Pascoe Vale in Round 15 before losing again to Strathmore in the semi final.
The big watch this week will be how the Blues line up on Saturday with several superstars under an injury cloud heading into the grand final.
Defender Brad Xavier hobbled off with a leg injury in the third quarter on Sunday and will be touch and go to be fit for the decider.
Jay White is in a similar situation after the defender injured himself in the preliminary final win, however he did return to the field albeit for rotation purposes.
The Blues could regain superstar Nick O’Kearney after he missed the preliminary final with a broken nose, however will still be missing Cody Brand and Josh Honey.
Saturday’s clash will be the fourth time these sides have met in 2025 with Keilor winning the first two, before the Mores turned the tables on them just two weeks ago.
It was a nine-goal third quarter blitz that helped seal the win with Nick Ash’s side able to challenge Keilor’s backline like no one else has in 2025.
Strathmore’s contest work and accuracy in front of goal helped the side get the job done with the Mores +30 in contested possessions, and scored from 50 per cent of their entries.
Trent Dumont starred in the 40-point win collecting 30 possessions and booting two goals, while Luke Jarrad and youngster Chris Scerri were also very impressive.
The skipper Barbuto was Keilor’s best with 21 touches and two goals, while sharpshooter Chris Kosmas continued his dominance over Strathmore with another four goals.
Coach Mick McGuane said his side were clearly outplayed at the contest and their defensive transition was as bad as it’s been for the year.
The reigning premier was able to make some changes in time for Sunday’s preliminary final which saw the side win the contest and clearance battle.
The key matchups will be at either end of the ground which will likely decide who takes home the cup in 2025.
Keilor will have to find an answer for Liam Cavanagh with the veteran dominating in the three clashes against the Blues in 2025.
The defender picked up 36 touches in Round 3, along with 33 disposals in Round 12, and 27 in the semi final.
The Blues forward line was firing on all cylinders last weekend with Jermarl Daly kicking six goals, however they’ll need to find a way of holding Cavanagh accountable and stifling his influence.
The Strathmore backline will also need to find an answer for Kosmas with the utility booting 24 goals against the Mores in six clashes across 2024 and 2025.
At the other end of the ground, Keilor will need to find a match up for Matthew Allison.
The Blues have had the number one defence in 2025, however could be undermanned this Saturday with Xavier and White under an injury cloud.
Allison hasn’t missed a beat after returning in the gold and navy, kicking five goals in their two finals.
The Blues could recall Billy Johnson to help sure up their defence or throw Reuben William back who starred in the Blues' preliminary final win over Strathmore last year.
The midfield battle will be an intriguing watch this Saturday with several superstars set to lock horns in the middle of the ground.
Barbuto was back to his brilliant best last weekend with 28 disposals and 12 clearances and has led his side superbly once again in 2025.
The Mores engine room has been led by Dumont with the midfielder averaging 28 disposals in 2025 and has been in fine form to end the season.
Whichever side can grab the ascendency out of the middle on Saturday will likely go a long way in helping them hold up the cup.
