By Luke Mathews
Strathmore will meet with Pascoe Vale at Section Road with a place in the qualifying semi up for grabs.
The Mores have spent nearly the whole year sitting on top of the ladder however slipped up late in the year against Maribyrnong Park which ultimately cost them the minor premiership.
The reigning premiers are, however, in familiar territory with the side defeating Aberfeldie in the same match 12 months ago on their way to the premiership.
Pascoe Vale solidified itself as one of the contenders early in the year but remained slightly off the pace of the top two.
In their two meetings this year, Strathmore has taken home the four points on both occasions, winning by 17 points in Round 5 and 28 points in Round 14.
One deciding factor on Saturday will likely be the contest battle.
Pascoe Vale is the best contested possession team in the competition while Strathmore is currently ranked third.
The Panthers have won the contested possession count in their two meetings in 2026, however haven’t quite been able to put it on the scoreboard.
Strathmore hasn’t done much wrong in 2026 but will need its midfield to bring their A-game if they want to meet Keilor next weekend.
Maribyrnong Park and Essendon Doutta Stars are set to square off in an elimination final in a landmark moment for both clubs.
Saturday’s match will be Marby’s first finals appearance since 2017 with no player from that side still at the club.
It’s been an even longer wait for Douttas who haven’t played Premier Division finals since 2006 and haven’t played finals at any level since the 2015 Division One grand final.
Both teams have had up and down seasons with upset victories and disappointing losses, however one of these sides will have the chance to play in a semi final next weekend.
The last four meetings between these two sides have been split two apiece, while this year Marby won the first clash by 28 points before Douttas won the second encounter by nine points.
One deciding factor on Saturday will be how Marby can cover for Brandon Ryan.
The full forward was instrumental in the first meeting between these sides, almost single handedly winning the game for the Lions with seven goals.
Ryan is the Lions leading goal kicker in 2026 with 44 majors, while their next best is Scott Clarke 21.
The Douttas backline held the left footer goalless in their second meeting for the year so it is essential Marby can find someone to fill the void.
By Noah Wallwork
West Coburg is facing Oak Park in the qualifying final at Kings Park Reserve.
Oak Park enter this game fresh off a 15-point victory over Moonee Valley.
After surviving a 34-point surge from Moonee Valley in the last quarter, they will be full of confidence against the minor premiers.
Oak Park dominated possession and pressure against the Valley, being plus 19 in hard ball gets.
Jedd Taylor controlled the midfield battle with 26 disposals, 12 clearances, and seven tackles.
Tyson Old capitalised on the inside 50 advantage with three goals from his 25 disposals.
West Coburg will be fresh after having the week off as minor premiers.
The last time these two sides met was in Round 14, where Oak Park enjoyed a 35-point win.
It started with the midfield dominance for the Kangaroos, as they ended up plus 16 in clearances and were plus 15 for inside 50s.
Taylor yet again led the way in the midfield with 23 disposals, six clearances, and four goals. He was joined by Joshua Ksiazek who had 10 clearances with his 16 disposals.
Tom Baravi continued his fine form of the season with 32 disposals, seven clearances, and a goal.
He forms part of a strong midfield unit that will look to get back on top this time around.
The winner of this game will advance straight to the grand final, while the loser will face the winner between Moonee Valley and Tullamarine.
Who will book the first ticket to the decider?
Moonee Valley will face off against Tullamarine in the elimination final at Joe Brown Oval on Sunday.
Moonee Valley has just come off a 15-point loss to Oak Park, while Tullamarine knocked Craigieburn out of finals with a 65-point demolition.
The Demons dominated possession around the ground with 48 more uncontested marks than the Eagles, indicating how much time and space they had to control play.
The last time these two teams faced off was in Round 18, with Moonee Valley running away with a 25-point victory.
Despite winning the clearance battle by 12, the Demons failed to capitalise on their forward entries.
This was worsened by their inaccuracy in front of goal, kicking 14 behinds and nine goals.
In opposite fashion, Moonee Valley kicked truly with 14 goals and nine behinds.
Demons duo Joshua Cowell and Joquin Bugeja ran rampant with Cowell collecting 25 disposals, 10 clearances, and eight tackles, while Bugeja recorded 26 disposals and five clearances.
For the Valley, Callum Clinnick continued his stellar form for the season with 26 disposals, five clearances, and four tackles.
Haidyn Shade supported him well with 22 disposals of his own, six tackles, and six clearances.
Luke Denny proved to be a problem for the Demon defenders with four goals.
The winner of this match will face the loser of the match between West Coburg and Oak Park.
By Jake Reeves
Glenroy and Westmeadows will be looking to find their spot in the decider when they face off at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The Roys fell short against the ladder leaders Coburg Districts by three points in last weekend's thrilling finish.
Glenroy was down by 42 points at the final change but a seven-goal-to-one final term almost stole victory over the undefeated Coburg Districts side.
The Tigers made light work of Hadfield in their elimination final clash at Joe Brown Oval on Sunday afternoon.
After a tight opening quarter of footy, Westmeadows found its best in the second with seven goals to none and did not look back for the remainder of the match, piling on the pain as Hadfield’s season came to an end.
Jake Young was superb in last week's contest and is typically one to impact with his touches.
Young has only averaged the 15 touches throughout the 2026 season but has averaged six marks and four goal involvements, making him incredibly damaging.
Jordan Hollow was prolific for the Tigers last weekend, conjuring 28 disposals and a remarkable 13 clearances, showing the Tigers continue to cover for missing stars like Ryan Capron and Aaron Evans.
The winner on Saturday afternoon will meet Coburg Districts at Windy Hill on September 5.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
STRATHMORE v PASCOE VALE
Saturday 2:15pm at Greenvale Recreation Reserve
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS v MARIBYRNONG PARK
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Sunday 2:15pm at Sewell Reserve
WEST COBURG v OAK PARK
🎥 Streamer
📻 98.9 North West FM
Saturday 2:15pm at Kings Park Reserve
MOONEE VALLEY v TULLAMARINE
Sunday 2:15pm at Joe Brown Oval
GLENROY v WESTMEADOWS
Saturday 2:15pm at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve
