By Luke Mathews
AVONDALE HEIGHTS 7.10 (52) def. by PASCOE VALE 25.12 (162)
MATCH CENTRE
Pascoe Vale have sewn up second spot on the ladder, thumping Avondale Heights by 110 points at Canning Reserve.
It looked like it was going to be a tough day for the Heights when Leigh Tudor’s side piled on the first three goals inside the first eight minutes of the game to help them open up a 19-point quarter time lead.
The Panthers extended their lead during the second term with another six goals before dominating the third term with 10 unanswered goals.
That opened up a 118-point lead at the final change before the Heights fought back late to win the final term.
Ahmed Saad continued his fine form with his second bag of eight goals for the year to take his season tally to 40 from just 12 games, while Adam Figliola and Mahmoud Taha were solid once again.
Danko Bzenic continues to be the shining light for the Heights in a difficult year with the forward kicking another three goals on a day when goals were hard to come by while Ethan Guy had another good game.
Avondale Heights' season will come to a close next week when they face Deer Park at home while Pascoe Vale will take on Airport West at Raeburn Reserve.
KEILOR 18.13 (121) def. GREENVALE 8.9 (57)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor have bounced back from last week’s disappointing loss, defeating Greenvale by 64 points at Joe Brown Oval.
Fortunately for the Jets, they still remain in fifth spot on the ladder and are a chance to feature in finals footy, but must win next week if they are to take destiny into their own hands.
In his 300th game, coach Mick McGuane was pleased with his side’s response especially in the first half with their dominance around the contest allowing them to pile on nine goals and hold Greenvale to just two majors.
The reigning premiers didn’t slow down kicking another nine second half goals to cruise to their sixteenth victory for the year.
Jermarl Daly had his best game for the season with four goals, while Harrison Bult and Billy Johnson did plenty of damage on the scoreboard with three goals each.
Josh Porter played a lone hand for the Jets kicking six of the team's eight goals, while Jett Ladewig and Baker Smith both hit the scoreboard with one goal each.
The Jets season will be on the line once again next week when they take on Aberfeldie at Clifton Park, while Keilor will finish the home and away season against Essendon Doutta Stars at Nipper Jordan Oval.
DEER PARK 14.8 (92) def. AIRPORT WEST 12.8 (80)
MATCH CENTRE
Deer Park have recorded their best win for the year, defeating an in-form Airport West by 12 points at John McLeod Reserve.
The Eagles missed a golden opportunity to claim a spot inside the top five with Saturday’s loss now meaning the Eagles must beat Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve next week and hope Greenvale loses.
The game was in the balance for much of the first half with Deer Park going into half time with an 11-point lead thanks to a three-goal-to-one second quarter.
The Eagles did reduce the margin back to one goal at the final change to set up a thrilling finish.
Deer Park kicked the opening two goals of the final quarter to give themselves an 18-point lead before the Eagles fired back with three of their own to tie up the game.
The momentum then swung back the Lions' way with two goals in quick succession before Airport West got one back to reduce the margin to six points with only minutes to play.
Fortunately for Deer Park, Jacob Knight was able to hold his nerve and booted the final goal to help the home side runaway with their sixth win of the year.
Jackson Barling was dominant with four goals for the second time this year to take his season tally to 16 for the year, while Jack Dorgan and Jamieson House both had solid games with two goals each.
Despite going down, Luca Muratore once again pivotal with another four goals while Matthew Gook and Brendan Godden both had solid games.
Airport West’s season will go on the line when they travel to Raeburn Reserve to take on the Panthers while Deer Park will take on Avondale Heights at Canning Reserve.
STRATHMORE 19.13 (127) def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 8.4 (52)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore have all but locked away third spot on the ladder, defeating Essendon Doutta Stars by 75 points at Lebanon Reserve.
The Mores now sit a game and percentage above rivals Aberfeldie and will almost certainly take on Pascoe Vale in the first qualifying final, while Douttas have now slipped to eighth on the ladder.
The win was set up in the first quarter with the home side booting five goals before the first change to open up an early 19-point advantage.
Strathmore never looked back with 11 second half goals to run away with another big victory.
Vice captain Mitch Purcell had his best game of the year with a season-high six goals to take his tally to 31 for the year, while Athan Tsialtas and Harry Ryan both cashed in with four and three goals respectively.
Despite the difficult day, Jesse Kirk, Angus Murray, and Bailey Ryan all showed positive signs with two goals each.
Strathmore will be hoping to head into the finals with another win when they take on East Keilor, while Douttas will finish off their season against Keilor at home.
EAST KEILOR 11.12 (78) def. by ABERFELDIE 14.11 (95)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie have grinded their way to their eleventh victory for the year, defeating East Keilor by 18 points at Overland Reserve.
Despite not having much to play for in terms of ladder position, Abers had to fight hard once again with plenty of stars missing to run over the top of East Keilor.
Another upset appeared on the cards early with the Cougars opening up an 11-point quarter time lead.
Abers were able to even it up at half time with five second quarter goals before getting their noses in front by a goal with a quarter to play.
The two blues stormed home with four final quarter goals to run away with the four points.
Josh Kemp stood tall once again with four goals while Michael Ktona and Ben Ronke both put in impressive performances to will their side over the line.
Despite another loss, Peter Barbopoulos showed plenty of promise in just his second senior game for the year with three goals while Lachlan Smart continued his superb season with another three goals.
East Keilor will finish their season next week when they play Strathmore at Lebanon Reserve while Aberfeldie will take on Greenvale at home.
By Eric Forman
HILLSIDE 3.3 (21) def. by ABERFELDIE 9.3 (57)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie will advance to a fourth straight Premier Division grand final after defeating Hillside by 36 points in the preliminary final.
It was a relatively even first quarter before Aberfeldie opened the game up in the second quarter kicking five goals to one to lead by 30 points at the main break.
Emily Smith (three goals) and Ashleigh Gunn (two goals) were lethal up forward with Emily Heaney and Ellie Huggard named their best.
Abers will now prepare for Oak Park as they seek redemption for last year's grand final loss.
The Sharks were unable to make any inroads to suffer a straight sets exit from finals.
Despite the exit, it's been a strong resurgence for the Sharks to get back to finals footy after a dominant season.
By Joseph Ibic
CRAIGIEBURN 11.13 (79) drew. ROXBURGH PARK 12.7 (79)
MATCH CENTRE
It was a thrilling draw on the weekend between Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park in the battle of the bridge.
With the margin being within a goal at every break, there was ultimately nothing to separate the two sides in the end.
Craigieburn would be the most disappointed of the two having had five more scoring shots but their inaccuracy stopped them from winning in the end.
The Eagles still finished in sixth place which was the highest they could finish going into the round so they would be pleased.
Roxburgh Park would’ve been relieved with the draw in the end as they could’ve been relegated if they lost badly as Rupertswood won their game.
Instead the Magpies will have the offseason to regroup before they start their 2025 campaign again in Division One.
HILLSIDE 13.5 (83) def. by MARIBYRNONG PARK 19.19 (133)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park claimed a comfortable 50-point victory over the third placed Hillside to lock in top spot, as they head into the finals in the best form out of any of the teams.
The win was just another dominant victory in a long list as Marby are looking almost unstoppable at the right time of the season.
The margin arguably should’ve been more if not for inaccurate goal kicking on Marby’s part and accurate goalkicking by Hillside.
The Sharks tried their best all day but in the end were no match for Marby’s dominance.
Hillside will play a qualifying final against West Coburg, while Marby has the week off.
ST ALBANS 16.12 (108) def. OAK PARK 13.8 (86)
MATCH CENTRE
St Albans claimed a 22-point victory over Oak Park on the weekend in the first of two weeks they'll meet.
Despite a last quarter fightback from the Oakers, they were unable to close the gap as they left too much to do, too late in the game.
The Saints star forwards Josh Carter and Mason Dipetta both scored four goals in the win and will be crucial to the Saints hopes of going deep into the finals.
Oak Park will rue being so far behind at three quarter time as they were dominant in the final quarter scoring five goals to one.
The last quarter will definitely give them hope of causing an upset when the two sides meet next week in the elimination final.
RUPERTSWOOD 21.17 (143) def. TULLAMARINE 12.12 (84)
MATCH CENTRE
Rupertswood recorded a big win over Tullamarine by 59 points, however it wasn’t enough to save their season.
Clayton Bonello and Aaron West finished their seasons in style, booting six majors each.
It has been a particularly good season for Bonello who finishes the year with 42 goals in 15 games despite his team's rough season.
Tullamarine would be disappointed in losing this match and extremely disappointed by losing by the margin they did.
There was only a six-point margin at three quarter time before Rupertswood stormed home booting eight goals to none in the final term.
Both sides' seasons are now over as they failed to qualify for finals, while Rupertswood will regroup in Division Two.
WEST COBURG 23.20 (158) def. MOONEE VALLEY 7.8 (50)
MATCH CENTRE
West Coburg bounced back from a disappointing loss last week to secure 108-point victory over Moonee Valley in their last match before finals.
West Coburg ended up finishing in second position and will be aiming to go deep into the finals and ultimately one step further than where they got last year.
Omar Saad and Ibby Taha were once again dominant in front of goals for West Coburg kicking five goals each.
Both players finish off the regular season with great goal scoring records with Saad scoring 53 goals in 15 games and Taha with 52 goals in 16 games.
A tough year for Moonee Valley has now drawn to a close with one massive positive being they secured a position in Division One again next year as they did enough to avoid relegation.
West Coburg will prepare for Hillside in the qualifying final.
By Tara Murray
GREENVALE 8.4 (52) def. BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 7.3 (45)
MATCH CENTRE
It was third time lucky for Greenvale as it finally claimed the Airport Toyota Women's Division One premiership.
After winning the minor premiership the past two years before falling short in the grand final, the Jets were hoping history wouldn’t repeat itself this year.
Read the full match report here.
By Eric Forman
NORTHERN SAINTS 16.9 (105) drew. GLENROY 15.15 (105)
MATCH CENTRE
Northern Saints and Glenroy played out a thrilling draw on the weekend that saw a late Glenroy comeback doing just enough to level the scores.
At the end of the day the Saints will need to shrug off the result of this match quickly and get ready for their first final next week in which they will be hoping to be just as accurate in front of goal.
Glenroy’s season is now over with it ending with them just falling short in a strong fightback.
They finish the season in second last position although a better second half of the season will definitely be something to build on for next year.
Northern Saints will play Westmeadows in an elimination final.
EAST SUNBURY 4.9 (33) def. by COBURG DISTRICTS 13.17 (95)
MATCH CENTRE
Coburg Districts completed a comfortable win over East Sunbury to end their season on a positive note.
Districts comfortably extended their lead in every quarter, proving that East Sunbury were no match for them across four quarters.
The only disappointing thing for Districts was their inaccurate kicking with 17 behinds holding them back from winning by an even greater margin.
The win was their seventh of the season and sees them finish in fifth position giving something to build on as they look to return to finals in 2025.
They weren’t completely uncompetitive in their matches this season but were just not good enough to get the job done across four quarters.
TAYLORS LAKES 15.11 (101) def. BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 13.8 (86)
MATCH CENTRE
Taylors Lakes claimed a hard fought win over fellow premiership contender Burnside by 15 points to clinch first place on the ladder.
Luke Nappi was prominent up front scoring four goals, while Trent Forbes was also huge for the Lakers across the four quarters.
The Bears were 40 points behind at three quarter time before a last quarter fightback saw them cut the margin back down to a respectable 15 points.
Burnside and Taylors Lakes will play each other next week in a qualifying final.
WESTMEADOWS 9.10 (64) def. by HADFIELD 11.8 (74)
MATCH CENTRE
Hadfield produced a brilliant upset victory over the third placed Westmeadows, defeating the Tigers by 10 points.
The Hawks caught Westmeadows by surprise with a fast start kicking three goals to none at quarter time and seven goals to three at half time and from there, Westmeadows were always playing catch up.
Josh Trembearth was huge up forward for the Hawks booting four majors in a clinical performance while Jake Polizzi was once again among Hadfield’s best.
Westmeadows have been left with plenty to think about after a disappointing loss just a week out from finals.
The Tigers started slowly and while they did catch up by three quarter time, they weren’t able to push and just ran out of energy in the end.
Westmeadows takes on the Northern Saints in an elimination final next weekend.
By Eric Forman
COBURG DISTRICTS 3.5 (23) def. SUNBURY LIONS 1.5 (11)
MATCH CENTRE
Coburg Districts reigned supreme in the battle of the lions winning the Airport Toyota Women’s Division Two premiership.
Districts and Sunbury Lions were the top two sides all season and were destined to meet on the big stage.
With both teams looking for maiden premiership success in the EDFL, there was bound to be plenty of emotion and determination expelled across the afternoon and a tough, contested game is what ensued.
Read the full match report here.
