By Luke Mathews
STRATHMORE 14.7 (91) def. by ABERFELDIE 19.5 (119)
MATCH CENTRE
Aberfeldie have reaffirmed their status as the number two seed in the competition, defeating Strathmore by 28 points at Lebanon Reserve.
Saturday’s victory caps off a strong home and away season for Clay Illman’s side who have lost only three matches and have won nine of their last 10.
Despite going down Strathmore, remain in third spot, however will need to turn the tables on Aberfeldie if they want to reach a semi final against Keilor.
The Mores got off to the fast start, opening up a six-point quarter time led thanks to five opening quarter goals.
The visitors got on top in the second term and held Strathmore goalless, which meant Abers had a handy 32-point buffer heading into half time.
Both sides went blow for blow in the third term, however Abers continued to maintain their six-goal buffer and went into the final term with a 38-point lead.
Strathmore did hit back with five final quarter goals, however it wasn’t enough to overrun a quality Aberfeldie outfit.
Sam Paea’s hot form continued kicking another six goals to make it 10 in two matches, while Callum Moore and Nic Watson were brilliant once again.
Kyle Weightman was excellent in just his second senior game for the year kicking five goals, while Corey Grindlay and Ryan Brodie were both impressive.
Both teams will quickly regroup over the next week before meeting again at Sewell Reserve this Saturday.
DEER PARK 5.7 (37) def. by AIRPORT WEST 32.13 (205)
MATCH CENTRE
Airport West have punched their ticket to finals, defeating a depleted Deer Park by 168 points at John McLeod Reserve.
After appearing dead and buried just three weeks ago, the Eagles have now won their last three games and scraped into finals.
Despite being thumped, Deer Park remain in fourth spot and will have eight days to turn things around before they take on the Eagles once again.
With their season on the line and plenty to play for, Airport West came out firing kicking five first quarter goals to open up a 21-point quarter time lead.
The margin was extended to 40 points at the main break with the visitors piling on another five goals in the second term.
The flood gates opened in the second half with Airport West kicking 22 goals in the second half to run away with a commanding victory.
Mick Edwards was awarded the Mt Alexander Hotel player of the match award for his strong performance, while Max Rider and Ned Gentile’s impressive 2025 seasons continued.
Despite being thrashed, captain Spiros Amarantidis fought hard all day while Billy Cannolo and Mark Galea did their best.
Both sides will have eight days to prepare for a blockbuster rematch in the elimination final at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
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PASCOE VALE 38.22 (250) def. EAST KEILOR 4.1 (25)
MATCH CENTRE
Pascoe Vale have ended their season on a high, defeating East Keilor by 225 points at Raeburn Reserve.
The win means Pascoe Vale will finish eighth with seven wins from their 18 games just one year after making a grand final.
Despite not getting what they were ultimately striving for at the start of the year, the Panthers showed there is still plenty of quality on their list to challenge in 2026.
East Keilor remain winless for 2025 and finished in last spot, however credit must be given to their loyal players, coaches, and supporters who turned up every week in difficult circumstances.
Just like for most of the year, the match looked over from the first bounce with Pascoe Vale kicking seven first quarter goals to go into the break ahead by 48 points.
East Keilor hit the scoreboard in the second quarter with three goals of their own, but it did little to stop the Panthers who managed 13 goals for the term.
The home side weren’t finished there, with the Panthers kicking 18 second half goals to round out a strong end to the year.
Lachlan Fazzolari and Ahmed Saad stole the show at Raeburn Reserve with both men kicking bags of 10, while Paul Ahern was terrific once again.
For the Cougars, Jackson Griffiths, Nathan Perrone, and Dion Gerassimou ended the season with another solid performance.
MARIBYRNONG PARK 20.15 (135) def. GREENVALE 10.13 (73)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park have recorded their seventh win for the season, defeating Greenvale by 62 points at Monk Oval.
Despite sitting inside the top five for most of the year, the Lions would still be satisfied with their first season back in Premier Division and would be hoping to rise even further in 2026.
The Jets have been disappointing in 2025 only managing just the five wins for the year, 12 months on from winning a final.
The home side raced out to a 19-point quarter time lead, however they could’ve been further in front after kicking 4.7 in the first term.
Marby continued to pile on the pain in the second quarter kicking seven goals to open up a 40-point lead.
The Lions weren’t finished there, kicking another nine second half goals to Greenvale’s two, to run away with a commanding 10-goal win.
Sam Calleri’s dominant end to 2025 continued with the livewire small forward kicking six goals, while Blade Sulzberger and Zach Coughlan showed plenty.
Veteran Sam Zumbo ended 2025 with another impressive performance, while Kieran Gallagher and Joshua Browne both had strong games.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 10.11 (71) def. by KEILOR 14.10 (94)
MATCH CENTRE
Keilor have ended Essendon Doutta Stars final hopes in heartbreaking fashion, defeating the Stars by 23 points at Nipper Jordan Oval.
After losing Saturday’s match, the Stars miss out on finals by just two points after spending most of the second half of the year inside the top five.
Saturday’s win means Keilor have won 17 out of a possible 18 matches and clinched their third minor premiership in a row.
Coach Mick McGuane was pleased with his side’s performance, especially with their ability to defend the ground and score quickly when the game was on their terms.
With their finals hopes on the line, Douttas stunned the reigning premiers, kicking the first three goals.
Keilor hit back with three of their own just before the quarter time siren to reduce the margin to just one point at the first change.
The Blues flexed their muscles in the second quarter kicking six goals to open up an 18-point lead at half time.
In desperate need of a response, Douttas fought back with four third quarter goals, cutting the deficit to just 12 points at the final change.
With the game on the line, Keilor’s seasoned campaigners took control, holding the home side goalless and kicking two majors which was enough to record another impressive victory.
Chris Kosmas was back to his early season form kicking five goals, while Joel Sadler and Corey Ellis were both superb in Saturday’s win.
Giacomo Thomas’ impressive 2025 ended on a high with the sharpshooter booting four goals, while Julian Callegari and Peter Ntalianis led from the front all day.
Keilor will rest up before taking on either Strathmore or Aberfeldie in the second semi-final at Section Road.
By Ashleigh Matosevic
ABERFELDIE 3.5 (23) def. by HILLSIDE 5.1 (31)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside's resilience was on full display at Merrifield Recreation Reserve, as they wrangled their way to a dramatic eight-point win over Aberfeldie to book their spot in the Windy Hill decider.
Defence was on full display for both sides in the preliminary final, with neither side willing to give an inch, until Moana Hope opened the scoring for Aberfeldie with a goal in the first quarter.
From there, the contest tightened further, with every stoppage and tackle fought hard, making it a challenge for the Sharks to find their footing early on.
By halftime, the scoreboard remained tight, with Aberfeldie holding an 8-6 lead. But Aberfeldie continued to push forward despite inaccuracies at goal, kicking four behinds in the second term alone.
While the Sharks managed to slot another major, Aberfeldie’s relentless pressure kept them in control.
But ultimately, the Sharks turned the tide in the final term. Those earlier missed opportunities came back to haunt Aberfeldie as their resistance cracked under sustained pressure.
The Sharks booted four crucial goals in the dying stages of the game to snatch the victory and book a spot in this week’s grand final against Oak Park.
Caitlin Sargent once again proved her importance to the side, with another two goals adding to her goalkicking in 2025 so far.
Makaylah Brne, Hannah Ibrahmin, and Emma Picone also made key contributions on the weekend, each kicking a goal in a collective team effort.
Despite the loss, Aberfeldie still delivered some memorable highlights in what would be a heartbreaking way to end a stellar 2025 campaign.
Hope continued to shine in front of goal, booting three goals against the Sharks.
But ultimately it was the Sharks' grit, composure, and determination that defined the outcome of a thrilling preliminary final.
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By Ben Parker
WEST COBURG 12.8 (80) def. by HILLSIDE 13.14 (92)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside has stunned West Coburg after their thrilling 12-point win in the qualifying final.
In what was a tightly contested battle for the most of the afternoon, it was the Sharks who were able to hold on and swim away with the two-goal victory.
Both sides came out firing, with the first quarter a back-and-fourth battle in front of the sticks.
The Burgers were able to wrestle the momentum their way and take a three-point lead into quarter time.
The tides changed after this, and the Sharks knuckled down to get the contest back on their terms and take a 16-point lead into the main break in play.
A tight and even contest is what followed in the third term, with neither side doing any real scoreboard damage.
An exciting fourth quarter was brewing after the Sharks took a 24-point lead into three-quarter time.
With a semi-final date against Oak Park up for grabs, the Burgers toiled away in the final term but were unable to penetrate the Sharks defence and reel them in on the scoreboard.
Hillside held on to secure the victory.
Robbie Castello continued his strong run of form with another influential performance for the Sharks, while key forward Josh Covelli hit the scoreboard with four majors.
Covelli has now taken his season tally to 93 goals and is inching closer and closer to the magical ton.
For the Burgers, midfield stars Thomas Baravi and Ruairi Cleary fought hard all day, while Ali Khoder booted three goals.
Hillside will take on Oak Park next week in a mouth-watering semi-final matchup, while West Coburg will get another chance when they take on Craigieburn in an elimination final.
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AVONDALE HEIGHTS 10.10 (70) def. by CRAIGIEBURN 13.15 (93)
MATCH CENTRE
Craigieburn has sent Avondale Heights home with a comfortable 23-point elimination final win at Sewell Reserve.
It’s the end of the road for Avondale Heights, who have been bounced out in the first week of the finals after sitting in the top three for most of the season.
For the second week in a row, Craigieburn simply outplayed them.
The Eagles were the ones who set the tone and brought the intensity that is required in a win-or-go-home final.
They jumped out with a four-goal to nil first quarter and were positioned perfectly for the rest of match.
After being jumped in the opening term, Avondale failed to present any genuine threat in the second term and trailed the Eagles by 27 points at the main break in play.
With their season on the line, Heights fans would have been expecting their side to come out firing in the third term - but this was not the case.
The Eagles continued to bully the Heights in the contest and kicked away to extend their lead out to 38 points at the final break.
With their season slipping away from them, the Heights fought hard in the last to cut the margin back to four goals, but it was too much to ask.
Craigieburn held firm and proved their premiership credentials by sending the Heights home.
The Eagles had contributors everywhere, but Jamie Gorgievski was the star of the show with four goals to his name.
Samuel Laffan was also excellent, and chipped in with two goals himself.
Meanwhile for the Heights, Max Pasinati and Darcy Tarczon were solid in what was a disappointing end to the season.
Next week, Craigieburn will clash with West Coburg in what’s shaping to be an exciting semi-final matchup.
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By Michelle Dunstan
STRATHMORE 5.5 (35) def. BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 4.5 (29)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has booked its ticket back to the top flight with a thrilling six-point win in the Airport Toyota Division One finale at Coburg City Oval.
The Mores won every single game in a dominant 2025 season, but earnt their return to Premier Division with their closest game of the season.
Strathmore deservedly entered the matchup as favourites despite Burnside Heights' scintillating form in recent weeks.
The Bears had built throughout the season and produced their best two matches of the year to win through to a second straight decider.
Read the full match report HERE.
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By Evan Tudor
RUPERTSWOOD 16.8 (104) def. COBURG DISTRICTS 12.7 (79)
MATCH CENTRE
Rupertswood is through to next week’s preliminary final following a 25-point win over Coburg Districts at Section Road.
In a battle between two of this year’s powerhouses, Rupo prevailed with strong form seeing them over the line.
Leading at every change, the power of Districts didn’t faze the men in blue and gold who ran away winners, with Rupo magic Fraser Phelan-Smith scoring six majors, one better than District year-long spearhead Jack McNamara (five).
After racking up an array of disposals and four final-term goals, Phelan-Smith was named the Mt Alexander Hotel man of the match for his spectacular efforts, four final quarter goals the highlight.
Teammates Daniel Kavanagh and Jackson Cardillo also made the best-on list for the victorious Rupertswood.
Matt McDonald also enjoyed his day in the sun with two goals for consecutive weeks.
Pasquale Curcio and Curtis Rawlings were impressive for Districts despite the result, with three goals each earning them best-on namings for their side.
Coburg Districts were able to hold their grasp in the match on many occasions but were just overwhelmed in the final quarter, scoring just two majors to the Sharks’ 5.1
So, while Rupertswood marches on to a blockbuster preliminary final with Glenroy, Districts should take the time to reflect on their stellar 2025 season that saw them make the final five after a spectacular year of football.
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By Evan Tudor
GISBORNE-KYNETON UNITED 10.12 (72) def. TAYLORS LAKES 1.2 (8)
MATCH CENTRE
The flawless Gisborne-Kyneton United has completed its fairytale unbeaten run with a dominant 64-point victory over Taylors Lakes in the premiership decider at Coburg City Oval.
It was the biggest margin between the two sides in their fourth meeting for the year.
In front of a very healthy crowd for the EDFL’s first senior grand finals day for the season, the Dogs were able to storm home and raise the premiership cup for the first time in the league.
Read the full match report HERE.
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