The final stop of the 2026 Community Bank Strathmore Division Two season has arrived with Coburg Districts and Westmeadows facing off in the grand final at Windy Hill on Saturday.
It has been nine long years since the Lions made the grand final as they look towards breaking the drought and taking home a first EDFL senior premiership under the Coburg Districts name.
It is a different story for the Tigers who are set to play off in their third consecutive grand final in a row after going down to Rupertswood by three points in 2025, and 19 points to Taylors Lakes in 2024.
The sides have also had very differing paths to reach the grand final.
The Lions are looking to make it the perfect season and to go undefeated, while the Tigers are coming into the match with an underdog mentality after scraping into fourth position
The Tigers took down Hadfield in an elimination final and went on to beat Glenroy in the preliminary final by 22 points.
It would be a fairytale finish considering the rough start to the season and missing personnel.
These sides have met twice throughout the home and away season with Coburg Districts getting the job done both times, but not convincingly with margins of 10 points and eight points.
A couple of the Districts superstars have had incredible seasons in Riley Bentley in the middle and Curtis Rawlings up forward.
Bentley has gone at an average of 38 disposals, six inside 50s, and nine score involvements, a remarkable output from a remarkable player who has led the way for his side.
The division’s equal leading goal scorer in Rawlings has kicked 62 goals on the season and has been the main man for the Districts whenever they need a goal or need someone to stand up ahead of the football.
Jack McNamara and Darcy Reid could be among the inclusions for the side to round out one of the best forward groups in the competition, however Ali Saad will be a key omission through suspension.
Jordan Kosteas and Rhys Gleisner have both been the standouts for the Tigers in what has been another strong campaign for their football side.
Kosteas has been super consistent and gone at an average of 34 disposals, eight marks, and seven score involvements throughout the season.
Gleisner, meanwhile, has proven himself to be one of the most damaging players in the competition with his high impact.
Will it be the undefeated or the underdogs to take out the 2026 Community Bank Strathmore Divison Two premiership on Saturday afternoon?
