Strathmore has won back-to-back grand finals for the first time since 2006 after defeating Keilor by 41 points at Windy Hill.
For the second year in a row, the Mores put together their two best performances in both finals and managed to topple an all-conquering Keilor outfit.
The victory caps off a celebratory 2026 for the whole of Strathmore, with the Mores becoming the first club to win a men’s and women’s Premier Division flag in the same year.
It also marks a premiership in Matthew Horne’s return to Lebanon Reserve, as well as a fourth premiership in charge of Strathmore.
Despite a successful home and away campaign which saw the Blues claim another minor premiership, they ultimately weren’t good enough when it mattered most.
Just like the second semi final, it was a 12-minute burst for Strathmore which was enough to win the game, with six unanswered goals handing Strathmore a 38-point quarter time lead which was too much to overcome.
The Mores cleanliness around the ball stood out while their handball game and pressure overwhelmed Keilor with several turnovers from the Blues proving to be costly in the end.
Strathmore got the start it was looking for when Hugh Allison spotted up his older brother and kicked truly for the first of the game.
Kade Mueller then slotted the Mores' second after he received a holding the ball free, before Kyle Weightman was given a gift when he was awarded a free kick directly after the goal.
The small forward made no mistake from the set shot and extended Strathmore’s early lead to 18 points.
Late goals to Tristan Borghouts, Matthew Allison, and Athan Tsialtas had Keilor scratching its heads and down by 38 points at the first change.
A Mick McGuane quarter time rev up didn't do much, with the onslaught continuing to start the second term as Tsialtas kicked his second.
Kane Barbuto delivered a captain’s goal when his side desperately need it, booting the Blues' first goal of the day six minutes into the second term.
Normal service resumed when Borghouts goaled again shortly after, however Liam Hude responded straight away.
The Mores' fleet of smalls started to wreak havoc after a clever piece of forward craft from Weightman gave him his second for the day.
Goals to Blair Wyllie and Cody Brand handed Keilor its first run of consecutive goals when he snapped through the Blues fourth.
With Keilor still down by 30 points, some sharp ball movement from the Blues made its way down to Josh Honey.
The superstar couldn’t give his side a lift on the half time siren when the kicked sailed off to the left.
Will Burke gave the Blues a huge boost after half time when he climbed over Lucas Cavallaro to mark and goal and cut the margin to 24 points.
Weightman handed Strathmore the quick response, before Liam Cavanagh crept forward and goaled on the run to restore the Mores' six-goal lead.
Stefan Radovanovic hobbled off with a hamstring and Matthew Allison took full advantage of it straight away, kicking his third goal and giving Strathmore a game high 42-point lead.
Hude took an uncontested mark at the top of the goal square and broke the Mores' run of three straight goals, before Kosmas got his second and made it two in a row for the Blues.
Keilor couldn’t claw its way back any closer with Tsialtas hitting back with his third, likewise Borghouts.
Tsialtas' fourth on the stroke of three-quarter time blew the margin out to 47 points and put the result almost beyond doubt.
Play stopped when Weightman came off with a knee injury and Keilor linked up and goaled through Matthew Bartlett.
The celebrations started to boil over when Corey Grindlay snapped through his first seconds into the final term.
Alex Tonelli finally hit the scoreboard, while Daniel Mammoliti joined in when he put through his first in front of the Reynolds Stand.
Jay White gave Keilor something to cheer about when his kicked sailed through without anyone getting a hand to it and got boot to ball in the goal square for another.
Tonelli’s second brought the 4,500 people at Windy Hill to their feet, while Mueller chimed in again.
Hude and Nick O’Kearney restored some pride with late goals but it did little to stop the celebrations as when the final siren sounded, Strathmore had done more than enough to win back-to-back flags.
Andrew Gallucci claimed the coveted Reg Rose Medal for his work off half back, providing plenty of run and clean hands throughout the match.
The dashing defender beat out Mueller for best on ground honours with the forward booting two goals, setting up several others as well as providing plenty of spark inside 50.
Matthew Alllison lit the fuse early for the reigning premiers with two goals in the opening term, before Tsialtas finished off the job with five goals for the match.
Although his side were well beaten, Brad Xavier could walk off Windy Hill with his head held high after he kept the Keilor defence together and blanketed young star Tonelli.
After one of the tightest top flight seasons in recent memory, Strathmore remains on top.
