By Evan Tudor
Finals football has arrived for Airport Toyota Premier Division with two cut-throat matches set to ignite what is sure to be a super Saturday.
Grand final glory is on the line for Aberfeldie and Oak Park, with the Two Blues and Kangaroos set to battle it out for a spot in the big dance at Cole Reserve where some of the competition’s best will lock horns.
Concluding the regular season as the top two, Aberfeldie and Oak Park have been standouts all year.
Only percentage can separate them on the ladder, with both accumulating an impressive 11-3 record across the home and away season.
The two sides have met twice already, with Aberfeldie scraping home in Round 2’s eight-point nailbiter, and Oak Park most recently dominating by 25 points in Round 12.
Two Blues Lara Churchill and Emily Smith struck at goal in both of those outings, while Jess Duffin was named the best-on in both.
The trio have been some of Aberfeldie’s key players in 2026 alongside Mo Hope, Meg Ginnivan, and Olivia Madden, all of whom know how to dominate across the ground and in front of goal.
Erica Markesich has also been an exciting watch for the Two Blues recently, kicking seven goals across the past three matches.
She joins Chloe Rafferty as another strong addition to the side, with that key Two Blue finding 15 majors from just seven matches.
Aberfeldie will be out to get revenge against Oak Park, a side who also defeated them in last year’s qualifying final.
But the Kangaroos are out for premiership redemption following 2025’s heartbreaking decider defeat.
The Kangaroos were unstoppable last weekend against Moonee Valley, taking a 12.15 (87) to nil win straight to the bank.
It was a match that saw their best shine, with all looking to big again on Saturday.
Standing tall in the ruck is Holly McGregor and Maggie Styles, with McGregor on fire in last Saturday’s two-goal performance.
Averaging a goal a game, Sasha Nelson is another crucial part of Oak Park’s side, while Terira Fry and Meghan Patrick continue their fantastic form.
With Oak Park seeking premiership redemption and Aberfeldie looking to make amends for last year’s early exit, we’re set for an amazing opening to the 2026 finals series.
It’s do or die for Strathmore and Essendon Doutta Stars with Keilor Park Recreation Reserve set for what should be a thrilling elimination final.
Finals footy is very familiar territory for both sides, but it will be different storylines that these opposing outfits are hoping to write.
For the Stars, they are out for finals redemption following last year’s 99-point elimination final loss against Hillside.
After claiming last year's Division One premiership, it’s a Premier Division finals berth for Strathmore, a whole new ball game that they seem suited for.
The Mores have the chance to become the first ever women’s EDFL side to claim back-to-back premierships across two separate divisions.
But Strathmore must win on Saturday to keep that hope alive.
Winning over the Stars is something they’ve done already, with the Mores prevailing by 26 points under Round 7’s Friday night lights, but a recent defeat will keep their nerves up.
We last saw the Stars and Mores clash in Round 13 and it was an eight-point win for the Stars, something Douttas will look to replicate on Saturday.
Tall forward Mia Tully knows how to bring up a bag of goals and will look to ignite the Stars’ attack on the scoreboard alongside Ada Pizzinga and Stephanie Mitchell.
Camyrn Bux has also had an exciting year for Douttas picking up six goals and two best-ons from just five matches.
Bux is an integral part of Williamstown’s VFLW side with eight matches in the state competition this season, so commitments with the Seagulls might ultimately take the number one priority.
A fast attacker, Pizzinga is key for delivering the Sherrin down the ground for the Stars, something the side will look to make the most of on Saturday.
Confidence will be high within the Essendon Doutta Stars camp, but Strathmore has its eyes set on causing a stir within this finals series.
A fast, physical, and well-composed side, Strathmore has truly made itself at home in the top flight of EDFL women’s football.
Led by Eloise Egglestone who is a front-runner for the league best and fairest and has been named best-on in all 14 regular season matches, the Mores are going for gold.
We last saw Strathmore in action back in Round 15 and it was a graceful 46-point victory over the Lions that closed its home and away season.
It was a cool, calm, and textbook match for the side, where some of their best shone.
Sarah McKinnon had a season-best outing with three goals seeing her named best-on for the eighth time this season.
Talia Motta and Milla Murphy are specialists in front of goal alongside Maeve Langston.
Strathmore has plenty up its sleeve that can help it go full throttle on Saturday.
With star ruck Hollie Lawson battling it out in the centre, the Mores will feel as if they have all bases covered.
With both sides taking wins over each other this season, an exciting clash awaits.
Who will come out on top, have the final say, and progress to the preliminary final?
By Gus Court
The second spot in the Airport Toyota Division One grand final is up for grabs as Burnside Heights and Keilor Park battle it out in the preliminary final at Merrifield Recreation Reserve.
The Bears will be looking to make it a third consecutive grand final appearance, while the Devils are searching for a first women's grand final appearance.
It was a six-point loss for Burnside Heights in last week's qualifying final against Westmeadows after leading by as many as 16 points.
The Devils surged home in last week's 20-point elimination final victory against Craigieburn and will be looking to carry that momentum into this weekend.
These sides last met in Round 6 with Burnside Heights enjoying a 23-point victory, controlling the contest following the first change.
Nicole Santos and Olivia Antonello hit the scoreboard in that contest as they've often done this year, as did Kiara Asani-Davis and Aarzu Mavi who continue to be two of the more consistent performers for the Bears.
The Devils welcomed back some scoring firepower last week which resulted in a 58-point turnaround over Craigieburn, with Georgia O'Donovan and Sophie Shaw similarly missing that earlier meeting with the Bears.
Ashleigh Guest also returned but will be unlikely to play following a hamstring injury.
This Saturday will be a repeat of the 2025 preliminary final which saw the Bears dominate in a 53-point victory.
Will history repeat, or will the Devils turn the tables?
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v OAK PARK
Saturday 1:50pm at Cole Reserve
STRATHMORE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at Keilor Park Recreation Reserve
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS v KEILOR PARK
Saturday 11:50am at Merrifield Recreation Reserve
