Keilor and Pascoe Vale are set to battle it out at Coburg City Oval with a place in the grand final on the line.
It was another strong home and away campaign for the Blues who won a fourth straight minor premiership, however went down to Strathmore by 16 points in the semi final.
It is familiar territory for the Blues who have lost the semi final in 2024 and 2025 despite winning the minor premiership, but made it through to the grand final on both occasions.
After a difficult 2025, Pascoe Vale proved to be the best of the rest, finishing three games behind the top two in third spot.
The Panthers were formidable last weekend against Maribyrnong Park, winning by 22 points with a six-goal third term enough to seal the victory.
Pascoe Vale has caused trouble for Keilor over the past three seasons, with a victory in the 2024 semi final by 34 points, and a six-point win in Round 15 last year.
These two teams have history when it comes to big finals in recent years, with Keilor and Pascoe Vale squaring off in the 2024 grand final in which the Blues won by 53 points.
In their two meetings in 2026, Keilor has taken home the four points on both occasions, winning by 27 points in Round 3 and backing it up with a 25-point victory in Round 10.
In the first clash, Keilor’s efficiency won it the game, with the Blues managing 29 scoring shots from 54 forward 50 entries, while Pascoe Vale couldn’t capitalise on its chances kicking 12.15.
In the second meeting, Keilor’s work at centre clearance won them the game, kicking six goals to one which proved to be the difference in the end.
Saturday’s match will likely be won and lost at the contest with Pascoe Vale and Keilor ranked first and second for contested possessions and clearances.
In their first meeting, the Panthers won the contested possession count by 26 and clearances by nine, but ultimately couldn’t put it on the scoreboard.
Mick McGuane’s men tidied their contest work up in the second meeting winning contested possessions by 12, however still lost clearances by 12 but were able to win the match.
Unlike their two meetings this year, Jared Eckersley looks set to line up at Coburg City Oval against Keilor on Sunday.
The defender was pivotal in Pascoe Vale’s win over Marby last weekend, finishing with 40 disposals and 11 marks.
If Keilor want to claim the victory, it will need to negate Eckersley whose role has been flexible per Daniel Harris' requirements.
For the Blues, Tom McGuane looms as a potential match winner.
The 19-year-old has had no trouble finding the footy in the past month, collecting 38, 35, and 34 disposals in his last three games.
The midfielder has only featured once against Pascoe Vale in 2026 picking up 34 disposals.
Pascoe Vale’s midfield has plenty of weapons with Ben Allan and Moudy Taha both leading the way, however they’ll need to be mindful of Keilor’s young star.
