By Luke Mathews
ABERFELDIE 11.9 (75) def. by STRATHMORE 12.17 (89)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has ended Aberfeldie’s season after defeating the Rillas by 14 points at Clifton Park.
Saturday’s result means the Rillas have slipped down to sixth on the ladder and have missed the finals for the second time in four seasons.
Strathmore will finish second on the ladder on percentage and will have to face off with Pascoe Vale this weekend after missing out on the minor premiership.
In need of a win to play finals, Abers got off to the better start, kicking three goals and racing out to a three-point lead.
Strathmore started to assert its dominance on the game early in the second quarter booting four goals and went into the main break with a 10-point lead.
A five-goal term for the visitors nearly put the result beyond doubt with the lead at 26 points, however three final quarter goals to Abers cut the final margin to 14 points.
Tristian Borghouts made his mark with three goals, while Jesse Corigliano and Matthew Allison were impactful on return from Coburg duties.
Sam Medland finished his season strongly with another bag of four goals, while Liam and Ethan Hunt showed plenty of strong signs for 2027.
Strathmore will now gear up for a massive qualifying final against neighbours Pascoe Vale.
HILLSIDE 12.9 (81) def. by MARIBYRNONG PARK 16.15 (111)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park has returned to Premier Division finals footy for the first time since 2017 after defeating Hillside by 30 points at Shark Park.
After an up and down season, Saturday’s win sees the Lions climb inside the top five just three years after being relegated from Premier Division.
Hillside should be satisfied with a strong first year of top flight footy, however there is still plenty of growth to be had if it wants to become a permanent fixture in the competition.
The Sharks showed they weren’t going to be pushed over easily from the start, kicking five goals in the opening term and racing out to a 14-point lead.
Marby quickly steadied the ship shortly after with a four-goal second term handing them the lead, however it quickly vanished after Hillside booted five goals in the third quarter.
With the Lions 19 points down and the nerves growing at three quarter time, Brodie Holland rallied his side, and they delivered with a nine-goal final quarter sealing a memorable win for Marby.
Jack Gerardi delivered when it mattered booting three goals, while Kieran McGadey and Rook Barry stood tall all day.
Fauzi Kaakour finished his season on a high with three goals, while Fort Caruso and Nick Fluke stood up once again.
Marby will now prepare for an elimination final against Essendon Doutta Stars.
DEER PARK 6.7 (43) def. by KEILOR 23.8 (146)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor has claimed its fourth minor premiership in a row, defeating Deer Park by 103 points at John McLeod Reserve.
The victory extends the Blues' winning streak to 14 straight matches, well and truly firming for another tilt at a premiership.
After taking huge strides forward last year, Deer Park couldn’t back it up consistently enough in 2026 and unfortunately ended its year on a sour note.
The Blues made their intentions clear early on, kicking seven goals in the opening term and opening up a 44-point lead.
Keilor wasn’t finished there with a six-goal second quarter extending its advantage to 75 points at half time.
It appeared the Blues took the foot off the pedal slightly in the second half, however they managed six goals in the third quarter and four goals in the final term which sealed another thumping victory.
Chris Kosmas wrapped up the leading goal kicker for the season with another five goals, while Harvey Wilkes and Nick O’Kearney were excellent again.
Jackson Barling finished his superb 2026 campaign with another strong performance, while Anthony Anastasio and Billy Cannolo fought hard all day.
Keilor will now have a week off before meeting the winner of Strathmore and Pascoe Vale in two weeks.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 13.9 (87) def. GREENVALE 10.10 (70)
MATCH CENTRE
Essendon Doutta Stars has clinched its first finals appearance since 2015, and first in Premier Division since 2006 after defeating Greenvale by 17 points at Nipper Jordan Oval.
After narrowly missing out last year, the win means the Stars climb into fourth and will play in an elimination final next weekend.
It's been another tough year for Greenvale, however the side has escaped relegation again and finished in ninth spot for the second successive season.
Greenvale picked up from where it left off last week, kicking four goals in the first quarter and went into the first break with an eight-point lead.
Another three-goal-to-one quarter for the Jets extended their lead to 20 points and had Douttas on edge for a repeat of 2025.
After the main break, the Stars clicked into gear with six goals turning the match in their favour and putting them in front by 15 points at three quarter time.
Douttas kicked the first of the final quarter, before Greenvale hit back with three in a row and cut the margin to just four points.
With the game on the line, Douttas rallied and booted the final two goals which sealed a memorable victory.
Declan Willmore was the star of the show kicking seven goals, while Liam Merceica and Thomas Legudi stood tall when it mattered most.
Josh Browne finished his year on a high with two goals, while Matthew Curtolo and Logan McLeod showed promising signs for 2027.
Douttas will now square off with Marby for a place in the semi finals.
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PASCOE VALE 19.16 (130) def. AIRPORT WEST 10.15 (75)
MATCH CENTRE
Airport West has succumbed to relegation after going down to Pascoe Vale by 55 points at Raeburn Reserve.
The result means the Eagles have been relegated from Premier Division just one year after playing off in a preliminary final.
Despite having nothing to play for, Pascoe Vale will take the strong form into next week’s qualifying final against Strathmore.
Pascoe Vale got off to the better start, kicking four goals in the opening quarter to take a nine-point lead into quarter time.
Seven goals for the home side in the second term meant Airport West's hopes of staying in the top flight were hanging by a thread.
The Eagles wrestled the momentum back their way in the third quarter with a three-goal-to-one quarter, however they were still down by 26 points.
Airport West couldn’t conjure up a miraculous comeback with a seven-goal term from the Panthers sealing their fate.
Jed Anderson made his mark on his return booting four goals, while Moudy Taha and Liam Ogden starred once again.
Flynn Gentile did everything he could in just his third game in green and white for the year, while Isaac Cullen and Brendan Godden fought hard all day.
Pascoe Vale will now set its sights on a qualifying final against Strathmore next weekend.
By Evan Tudor
OAK PARK 4.8 (32) def. by STRATHMORE 5.6 (36)
MATCH CENTRE
In a thrilling four-point victory at Overland Reserve, Strathmore moved one step closer to its first ever women’s top flight premiership.
The Mores displayed a brilliant level of skill from full back to full forward, with an equally good Oak Park keeping Strathmore on its toes until the final siren.
Both teams found time inside their attacking 50s in an opening quarter where repeat stoppages were a common theme.
Milla Murphy launched the Mores’ account within the opening minutes following an on-target kick from Sarah McKinnon.
Sasha Neslon quickly responded for the Roos after her wayward shot moments earlier, but Talia Motta would promptly reinstate the lead for Strathmore.
Oak Park owned a lot of the play in the second term, with Mia Briedis attracting nothing but positives for the Roos, with swift ball movement and accurate kicks on target to teammates.
Tayah Kelly also was impressive, with a late goal in the second quarter coming from the pocket almost 50 metres out.
Jasmina Curtis was the Mores’ goalscorer in the second term.
Strathmore returned to the field in the third term with an aim of extending its two-point lead as soon as possible, and among a flurry of behinds from both sides, Taylah Gilcrist sent back-to-back majors up onto the scoreboard.
Gilcrist’s double was the last of Strathmore’s goal-scoring, with a long-bomb from the pocket followed by a soccer kick in the goal square sure to make an appearance on the highlight reel.
With the Mores holding charge by 16 points at the final change, Strathmore had its sights set on Windy Hill, but Oak Park was never going to make the final 20 minutes easy.
Winning the last quarter, the Roos held the Mores to just one behind while they controlled the play, with a checkside kick from Nelson keeping some belief alive for Oak Park.
As time continued to roll on and after a short injury delay, star Kangaroo Maggie Styles put through what would eventuate as Oak Park’s final goal for the year, with time left on the clock being the ultimate enemy.
Styles had been a standout in the contest and was in key form in the ruck.
Charli Sette was also another impressive performer for the Mores, demonstrating an ability to do it all by holding strong in defence, laying down good tackles, and standing tall for courageous marks.
Oak Park’s dream of grand final redemption fell short, but the Kangaroos bow out the season in style after concluding the home and away season second and being one of the teams to beat all year.
Strathmore’s incredible finals run will face its ultimate test on Sunday with a grand final date with Aberfeldie at Windy Hill set to put the cherry on top of the 2026 season.
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By Ben Parker
OAK PARK 12.9 (81) def. MOONEE VALLEY 9.12 (66)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park has booked its ticket into next week’s qualifying final clash with West Coburg after it held off Moonee Valley and claimed victory in week one of the finals.
In what was a highly anticipated top-three matchup, the Roos ultimately proved too strong for the fast-finishing Moonee Valley.
It was a see-sawing opening quarter of football to begin the match, with Oak Park taking a two-goal lead into the first break despite having less shots on goal.
The Valley’s inaccuracy in front of goal in the first quarter proved to be costly after they could only muster one goal from the eight scoring shots.
The Roos extended their lead out to 16 points at the main break in play and were in the box seat heading into the premiership quarter.
With the game on the line, Oak Park made the most of their chances and took firm control of the contest, stamping their premiership credentials in a dominant passage of football.
They had to fend off their opponents who finished rapidly with five goals to one in the fourth term, but the damage was done.
Ultimately, a 41-point deficit at three-quarter time was too much to overcome for Moonee Valley.
Vice-captain Lachlan Stredwick stood tall in defence for the Roos in what was a masterful display of defensive skill and accountability, while Kane O’Halloran and Tyson Old did the damage on the scoreboard with three goals each.
For the Valley, Mitch Clarke and Sean Callander battled hard in what was ultimately a disappointing day for the club.
Oak Park will look to book its ticket into the grand final next week when it faces the minor premiers West Coburg at Kings Park Reserve.
Moonee Valley will regroup and prepare for an elimination final against Tullamarine at Joe Brown Oval.
CRAIGIEBURN 12.3 (75) def. by TULLAMARINE 22.8 (140)
MATCH CENTRE
Tullamarine has stunned Craigieburn in seamless fashion with a dominant 65-point scalping at Sewell Reserve to send the Eagles home and advance into next week’s semi-final.
The Dees pinged out of the gates in a scorching manner to pile on nine first-quarter goals to three and firmly establish the game on their terms.
With the loser of this bout to be sent home packing, it was evident that the Dees were playing in superior form.
Perhaps the only aspect of the game keeping the Eagles season alive was their accuracy in front of goal, kicking six straight majors up to half time.
The third quarter was largely symmetrical to the second, with each side slotting three goals in a stand-still of a tussle.
Craigieburn was surviving by a feather, but any chance of a final quarter comeback was quickly thrown away after the Dees booted through another seven goals to close the game out.
Champion full forward Josh Covelli had the ball on a string and delivered a clinical performance inclusive of nine goals, while Austin Warden starred as well.
For the Eagles, it’s a bitter ending for a season that promised so much.
Brodie White, Sam Laffan, and Jai Robinson toiled away gallantly, but needed a few more cattle to follow their lead.
Tullamarine will now gear up for a massive elimination final against Moonee Valley at Joe Brown Oval.
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By Noah Wallwork
Westmeadows has claimed its first senior women's flag and completed the perfect season in a 14-point victory against Burnside Heights in the Airport Toyota Division One grand final.
After defeating the Bears by six points in the qualifying final a few weeks ago, the Tigers proved too strong once again.
By Jake Reeves & Evan Tudor
COBURG DISTRICTS 9.6 (60) def. GLENROY 8.9 (57)
MATCH CENTRE
Coburg Districts held off an almighty comeback from Glenroy in a three-point win to book its grand final spot at Windy Hill.
The Lions were clinical throughout the first three quarters of Saturday afternoon and held the visitors to just the solitary goal at three quarter time.
The first half of the final term was scrappy despite a couple of goals being kicked by the Roys, but at the 18th minute mark the game flipped on its head and saw five of the final six goals of the match go the way of Glenroy.
Despite going forward late, it was not enough and Districts escaped with the win.
Jacob Kerin led the way for the Districts, winning himself the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match honour.
He was well supported by teammates Riley Bentley, who continues to get the job done week in and week out, and Justin Blackley who nailed three goals after being lifted off the emergency list.
Aaron Kite’s three last quarter goals almost stole victory for the Roys, while Jake Young was once again a standout on Saturday.
Coburg Districts now have the week off and will await the winner of Glenroy and Westmeadows to try and win the Division Two premiership for 2026.
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HADFIELD 9.4 (58) def. by WESTMEADOWS 17.16 (118)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows’ dream of grand final redemption has survived its first test of an elimination final, with the Tigers proving 60 points too good for Hadfield at Joe Brown Oval.
After the Hawks got the better of the Tigers on two occasions during the regular season, Westmeadows stamped back in style when it mattered most.
Leading at the first break by a narrow two behinds, Westmeadows completely dominated from thereon with an unanswered 7.4 (46) second term dazzling Hadfield.
Hoping for a last-ditch effort, the Hawks picked up their pace in the second half, but Westmeadows didn’t look back.
Hadfield boasted some fine goal kicking form in Nicholas Gooch (three), Mohammed Moustafa (three), Samir Mohamad (two), and Dawoud Said (one), but it ultimately was no match for what the Tigers brought to the table.
Eleven Tigers wrote their name in the scoresheet, with five finding multiples.
Shaun O’Grady paved the way with three goals, while Will Adams, Jake Hatton, Jordan Hollow, and Nick Mathewes all were seeing double with two.
Nathan Sparks and Rhys Gleisner were declared some of Westmeadows’ best, while Nick Morda and Lachlan McKean closed off their seasons in style for Hadfield.
The win sees Westmeadows march on to next Saturday’s preliminary final against Glenroy where a spot in the decider will be up for grabs at Tenterfield Drive.
Hadfield’s first finals appearance since 2015 has come to an end all too soon, but the return to finals football proves that exciting things are building at Martin Reserve ahead of season 2027.
