By Joseph Ibic
ABERFELDIE 18.9 (117) def. AVONDALE HEIGHTS 14.13 (97)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie notched up a hard fought 20-point victory over Avondale Heights.
Abers' accurate goal kicking was a big factor in the win as they kicked 18 goals from 27 scoring shots helping them get over the line.
Forward Sam Paea was huge for Abers booting six goals, and so was Ben Ronke who scored three goals and found plenty of the footy.
It was more disappointment for Avondale Heights who fell agonisingly short in what could’ve been their second win of the season.
Ultimately, it was inaccurate kicking that cost them as they scored as many times, but not in a major way.
Avondale next plays Pascoe Vale, while Aberfeldie takes on East Keilor.
GREENVALE 21.12 (138) def. EAST KEILOR 5.5 (35)
MATCH CENTRE
Greenvale claimed an easy victory over East Keilor on the weekend defeating them by 103 points. The Jets came out firing, booting 10 goals to two in the first half before backing it up in the second half by scoring 11 goals.
Josh Porter (six goals) and Jett Ladewig (five goals) had days out in front of the big sticks as Greenvale powered their way to a pivotal win that gets them closer to a finals berth.
It was a tough day for East Keilor who remain in second last position on the ladder.
Although the Cougars don’t technically have anything to play for in the last couple of games, they would be looking for better performances going forward as their season draws to a close.
East Keilor will next come up against Aberfeldie, while Greenvale plays Keilor.
AIRPORT WEST 13.16 (94) def. KEILOR 11.15 (81)
MATCH CENTRE
Airport West have produced the upset of the season defeating Keilor by 13 points, their first loss in 713 days.
The Eagles came out strong and controlled the entire match, and while they never got too big of a lead, they were always able to keep Keilor at bay.
Skipper Ned Gentile led from the front kicking three goals and inspiring his teammates to pull off one of the wins of the season.
The pairing of Tyson Young and Matt Hanson is one that continues to amaze with the pair combining for an incredible 107 disposals.
Young gathered 55 touches, including 19 in the final quarter, to go with 14 clearances and a remarkably stuff stat sheet, while Hanson collected 52 possessions.
They did it against a midfield with Nick O'Kearney, Corey Ellis, Josh Honey and co. rolling through which makes it all the more amazing.
Keilor had begun to show they may be mortal in recent weeks and Brent Taylor's side showed they're more than just gettable – they've been gotten.
The win is extra vital for Airport West with a win to Greenvale meaning they had to win at least two of their last three to give themselves a chance, which meant upsetting Keilor or Pascoe Vale.
Keilor next plays Greenvale, while Airport West comes up against Deer Park.
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DEER PARK 7.12 (54) def. by STRATHMORE 11.13 (79)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore secured a scrappy victory over Deer Park by 25 points.
Deer Park pushed Strathmore all the way but in the end, the experience and class of Strathmore was too much for the hosts to overcome.
Athan Tsialtas starred for Strathmore up forward scoring four goals, while Liam Cavanagh and Trent Dumont were instrumental around the ground.
It was a valiant effort for Deer Park who fell short in the end.
Better accuracy in front of goal might have helped them get over the line in the end but they will still be proud of getting as close as they did.
Deer Park will come up against Airport West next weekend, while Strathmore takes on Essendon Doutta Stars.
PASCOE VALE 16.14 (110) def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 7.5 (47)
MATCH CENTRE
Pascoe Vale recorded a convincing win over Essendon Doutta Stars, defeating them by 63 points.
The Panthers won the game in the first half with a massive effort that saw them score 11 goals to one and while they slowed down in the second, the damage had already been done.
Paul Ahern and Jeremy Rodi were among the best on ground for Pascoe Vale as they were involved in many of Pascoe Vale’s scores.
It was a difficult day for Douttas who simply couldn’t match Pascoe Vale’s skills across the four quarters.
There were, however, some positives in the last quarter with the Stars kicking five goals while they kept Pascoe Vale goalless.
Douttas will face Strathmore next week, while Pascoe Vale will play Avondale Heights.
By Eric Forman
HILLSIDE 2.4 (16) def. by OAK PARK 7.6 (48)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park have booked the first spot in the decider with a 32-point win over Hillside.
It was the first time in three meetings the Kangaroos have taken home the win with a role reversal seeing them limit the Hillside attack.
The first Sharks goal came in the third quarter with just one more added, while the Kangaroos piled on six before the main break.
Alex Quigley continued her strong run of form with three goals, while Chiara Guarino, Tamsyn Kirk, Leah Spargo, and Mikayla Barnes chipped in with singles.
Oak Park will enjoy the week off and await the winner of Hillside and Aberfeldie in the preliminary final.
ABERFELDIE 8.5 (53) def. ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 4.4 (28)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie live to fight another week after defeating Essendon Doutta Stars by 25 points in the elimination final.
Douttas were valiant in the first half taking a one-point lead into the main break, but couldn't keep up with the class of Aberfeldie who kicked five goals to one in the second half.
Erica Markesich was the difference in the end kicking four of Abers' eight goals, while VFLW-listed pair Lily Bateman and Ellie Huggard were among their best.
Abers will prepare for Hillside as they look to get back into the big dance and go one step further than last year.
For Essendon Doutta Stars, it's a season to be proud of qualifying for finals in their first season since promotion.
By Joseph Ibic
OAK PARK 14.18 (102) def. RUPERTSWOOD 6.6 (42)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park cruised to victory over Rupertswood on the weekend to keep their great form leading into the finals going.
The Oakers were consistent across the four quarters kicking at least three goals in each, a consistency in which Rupertswood couldn’t keep up with.
Rupertswood now look almost certain to be relegated after a dismal performance saw them score just six goals in what was a must-win game.
Rupo now turn their attention towards their final game of the season next week which they must win by a significant margin to avoid relegation.
Rupertswood plays Tullamarine next week, while Oak Park comes up against St Albans.
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ROXBURGH PARK 7.8 (50) def. by ST ALBANS 18.12 (120)
MATCH CENTRE
St Albans bounced back to record a comfortable victory over Rupertswood on the weekend by 70 points.
The Saints started slowly, but a seven-goal second term gave them a handy lead heading into the main break and from there they never looked back.
Andre Srour was among the Saints' best booting five majors up forward, while Jackson Volpato also impressed in his third game with St Albans.
It was a disappointing loss for Roxburgh Park as it saw them fall below Moonee Valley on the ladder.
The Magpies now sit third last and are just outside the relegation zone.
While they should still survive, they will not want to take any chances and will be desperate for the win next week as a result.
Roxburgh Park next faces Craigieburn, while St Albans takes on Oak Park.
TULLAMARINE 8.9 (57) def. by CRAIGIEBURN 9.20 (74)
MATCH CENTRE
Craigieburn claimed a tense victory over Tullamarine on the weekend by 17 points to take sixth spot on the ladder.
The Eagles have now won two matches in a row and while this has come too late in the season for them to make finals, it is still a positive that they can take out from the year.
Craigieburn arguably should’ve won by more with some inaccurate kicking meaning they scored just nine goals from 29 scoring shots, although it didn’t matter in the end.
Tullamarine would be frustrated with the result on the weekend as they just couldn’t get any momentum going in the second half despite them taking a lead into half time.
Tulla will now turn their attention to winning their last game of the season and claiming sixth spot back.
Tullamarine will face Rupertswood in their final match of the season, while Craigieburn takes on Roxburgh Park.
MARIBYRNONG PARK 18.12 (120) def. WEST COBURG 5.11 (41)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park claimed a massive victory over West Coburg by 79 points to take top spot on the ladder.
Marby will now be the firm favourites for the premiership as they have dominated all their main rivals across the last half of the season.
James Kayrooz was again impressive scoring four goals for Marby, while captain Alex Barba and Matthew Gaul destroyed West Coburg through the middle of the ground.
It was a disastrous game for West Coburg on the eve of the finals with Marby's form putting them in a strong spot to go back up.
West Coburg next plays Moonee Valley, while Marby Park takes on Hillside.
MOONEE VALLEY 20.16 (136) def. KEILOR PARK 15.5 (95)
MATCH CENTRE
Moonee Valley recorded a 41-point victory over Keilor Park in a high-scoring encounter.
The win means Moonee Valley are officially safe from relegation, something which no doubt became one their key goals for the season after a difficult start to the year.
Ben Ryan was dominant up forward for Moonee Valley booting seven goals, as was Keilor Park’s forward Daylan Kempster who also scored seven goals despite his side's loss.
It was another valiant effort in defeat for Keilor Park who put in a lot of effort but just couldn’t get the job done.
They will take great heart from scoring 15 goals from 20 scoring shots as their forward line had an almost perfect game.
Keilor Park’s season has now come to an end as they have the bye in the final round of the season. Moonee Valley, meanwhile, takes on West Coburg.
By Eric Forman
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 12.11 (83) def. AIRPORT WEST 0.5 (5)
MATCH CENTRE
Burnside Heights are on their way to the grand final after a dominant 78-point win over Airport West in the preliminary final.
The favourites performed strongly as they begin preparations for Greenvale in this weekend's decider with Bella Negri (four goals) and Kayla Ravanello (three goals) leading the way.
The Bears dominated from start to finish and enter this weekend with good momentum.
Ebony Stevens and Krissy Trang were among their best alongside Payton-Ani Ozols and Anj Singh.
The grand final awaits Burnside Heights and Greenvale where there's no love lost at all.
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By Joseph Ibic
COBURG DISTRICTS 12.7 (79) def. by WESTMEADOWS 16.23 (119)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows defeated Coburg Districts by 40 points, ending Coburg Districts' season in the process.
Nathan Sparks and Luke Smith destroyed Districts through the midfield all day, while Jack McNamara offered some resistance up forward booting seven majors.
Any hopes the Districts had of making finals are now over as they are now too far behind fourth spot to make up the difference in the last round.
The Districts will just be playing for pride in the final round as they look to finish off their year on a high.
Coburg Districts face East Sunbury next week, while Westmeadows takes on Hadfield.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS 7.5 (47) def. by NORTHERN SAINTS 15.13 (103)
MATCH CENTRE
Northern Saints claimed a 56-point win over the Sunbury Kangaroos on the weekend to lock in a finals berth.
It was a dominant display by the Saints who extended their lead in every quarter which culminated in a comfortable win.
Both Northern Saints star forwards Nick Bruno and Khoder Taleb booted seven goals each, carrying the forward line on their shoulders as their goals combined made up all but one of the Saints goals.
The Kangaroo's finals chances are now officially over if they weren’t already.
The match was the Kangaroos last of the season as they have the bye next weekend and would be disappointed on how their season ended.
Sunbury Kangaroos have the bye next weekend, while Northern Saints will take on Glenroy.
HADFIELD 24.15 (159) def. EAST SUNBURY 7.4 (46)
MATCH CENTRE
Hadfield secured an easy 113-point victory over the winless East Sunbury on the weekend.
A Hawks victory was never in doubt as they booted eight goals to one in the first term.
The Hawks had 11 individual goal kickers in what was a complete team performance.
Ali Elmaaraoui was their best goal scorer as he slotted through five majors.
East Sunbury were outclassed again this weekend in what has been the story for them all season.
East Sunbury’s last game of the season will be against Coburg Districts next week, while Hadfield’s will be against Westmeadows.
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GLENROY 6.5 (41) def. by TAYLORS LAKES 23.21 (159)
MATCH CENTRE
Taylors Lakes claimed a convincing victory over Glenroy by 118 points to reclaim the top spot with a round to go.
The Lakers' only fault throughout the match was some inaccurate kicking that saw them kick 21 behinds, although it hardly mattered as they kicked 23 goals to six.
A nine-goal final quarter boosted an already big win to a massive one as Glenroy simply had no answers to the Lakers onslaught.
The Roys will now be thinking that the only way is up as they look forward to a hopefully much improved 2025.
Glenroy faces Northern Saints in their last game of the year, as Taylors Lakes come up against Burnside Heights in a matchup that will decide the minor premiers.
By Eric Forman
SUNBURY LIONS 5.5 (35) def. ROXBURGH PARK 0.2 (2)
MATCH CENTRE
Sunbury Lions have bounced back to cruise through to the grand final with a 33-point win over Roxburgh Park in the prelim.
The Lions' defence was dominant as they held the Magpies scoreless through three quarters and extended their lead right through to the final siren.
Natachia Abela led all comers with two goals while young guns Grace Azzopardi, Emma Quarrell, and Nikki Waldron each kicked a major.
They'll prepare for the battle of the Lions when they meet Coburg Districts in the decider.
It's a season to be proud of for Roxburgh Park making the preliminary final in their first season since rejoining the women's competitions.
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