By Luke Mathews
STRATHMORE 16.7 (103) def. PASCOE VALE 13.8 (86)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore is one win away from another grand final after defeating Pascoe Vale by 17 points at Section Road.
After finishing second on the ladder, the victory means the Mores will now face Keilor in a rematch of last year’s decider for a place in the grand final.
Despite fighting hard all day, Pascoe Vale ultimately wasn't good enough for long enough and its season will go on the line next weekend.
Pascoe Vale got the jump on its neighbours, kicking six goals in the first quarter to race out to a 12-point lead.
Strathmore clicked into gear after quarter time booting six goals for the term and holding the Panthers to just a single point which gave it a 25-point half time buffer.
Pascoe Vale wouldn’t die wondering, cutting Strathmore’s lead to just nine points with one quarter to play.
With the game still in the balance, the Mores' class shone through, with four final quarter goals to Matthew Allison enough to seal a strong win.
Allison stole the showing booting eight goals for the day, while Sam Hayes and Brock Egglestone led from the front again.
Matthew Dennis did everything he could collecting 25 disposals and 13 clearances, while Moudy Taha and Aaron Hilton had no trouble finding the footy with a combined 64 disposals.
Strathmore will now meet with Keilor next Saturday, while Pascoe Vale will take on Marby on Sunday with both games at Coburg City Oval.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 8.10 (58) def. by MARIBYRNONG PARK 20.8 (128)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park has sent an ominous warning to the rest of the competition, defeating Douttas by 70 points at Sewell Reserve.
After scraping into the finals last weekend, Sunday’s victory is the Lions' first finals win in nine years and is their biggest win for the season.
After another strong home and away season, the Stars were disappointing in their biggest game since the 2015 Division One grand final and ultimately off the pace for most of the day.
Coach Brodie Holland praised his side’s clean hands in the middle of the ground as well as their toughness at the contest and pressure.
Marby opened the day strongly, with a five-goal first quarter setting up a 17-point quarter time lead.
The margin skipped out to 23 points by half time before the Lions turned it on in the third term, kicking nine goals to one to extend their advantage to an unassailable 70-point lead.
With the result in no doubt, both teams managed three final quarter goals each which meant the margin didn’t blow out any further.
Blade Sulzberger took home the Doutta Galla Hotel player of the match award for his five goals, while Rory Atkins and Darcy Tucker were both excellent on their return.
Despite going down, Mitch Kalpakis rounded out his year with another strong showing, while Angus Murray and Michael Kiraly fought hard all day.
Marby will now meet with Pascoe Vale at Coburg City Oval with a spot in the preliminary final up for grabs.
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By Evan Tudor
Strathmore has written its name in the history books following a 15-point win over Aberfeldie in the 2026 Airport Toyota Premier Division grand final at Windy Hill.
By Ben Parker
WEST COBURG 20.14 (134) def. OAK PARK 9.8 (62)
MATCH CENTRE
West Coburg is returning to the Division One grand final in two weeks time after a dominant display over Oak Park on the weekend.
In what was a superb performance from start to finish, the Burgers never looked like losing as they cruised to a surprisingly seamless victory.
On the other hand, Oak Park has been left shell shocked after an uncharacteristic effort here.
While the Burgers were far too good, it was also a case of the Roos being too bad to be true.
The Burgers pinged out of the barriers early and strode out to a four-goal lead at the first break in play.
While they let a few chances go begging, they were firmly in the box seat seat for the remainder of the match.
Oak Park steadied in the second term, and it appeared as if the Roos were slowly going to grind their way back into the contest.
But this glimmer of hope was quickly vanquished.
The third quarter saw the Burgers produce arguably their best quarter of football for the entire season and stamped their credentials as the number one seed for this season’s premiership cup.
With nine goals to two in what was a third-quarter blitz, this avalanche of goals saw the margin balloon out to 72 points at the final break in play.
The game was all but over, and the Burgers couldn’t have cemented their premiership credentials in a more convincing way.
Muhammad Saad starred up forward with a haul of five goals to his name, while usual performers Tom Baravi and Emilio Rinaudo were excellent when it mattered most.
For the Roos, Kane O’Halloran hit the scoreboard in what was ultimately a very disappointing afternoon for Oak Park.
They’ll look to bounce back next week when they face Moonee Valley in a preliminary final at Greenvale Recreation Reserve, while West Coburg will rest up and prepare for the decider in two weeks.
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MOONEE VALLEY 12.9 (81) def. TULLAMARINE 6.10 (46)
MATCH CENTRE
Moonee Valley responded to the disappointment of last week with a tremendous 35-point victory over the dangerous Tullamarine.
With a date locked in for next week’s preliminary final against Oak Park, the Valley will be hoping to flip the result from two weeks ago and book a spot into the 2026 Division One grand final.
For the Dees, a stellar campaign has come to an end.
Their return to finals football was highlighted by their sensational dismantling of Craigieburn last week, in what proved to be their standout performance of the season.
In what was a highly anticipated matchup, an early tussle saw the Valley take a slender four-point lead into quarter time with the Dees hot on their trail.
A four-goal-to-one second quarter created a fraction of breathing room for the Valley, who appeared to be attaining the upper hand with possession of the football and forward 50 entries.
Mitch Clarke already had three goals to his name at half time and he was causing some genuine headaches for the Tullamarine defence.
With the Dees trailing by 17 points at the main break in play, they had plenty of work to do going into the second half.
The Valley outscored the Dees again in the third term to make the margin even more challenging being 23 points at three quarter time, and then kicked clear in the last quarter to seal a special finals win.
Luke Denny was instrumental for the victors in what was a match-defining performance from one of the Valley’s stars, while Mitch Clarke finished the day with four majors to his name.
For the Dees, while it’s a disappointing end to their season, they bow out after one of their more memorable and successful seasons in recent times.
Tim Matson was solid all day, while vice-captain Salvatore Melilli finished off what was a strong individual season with another two goals.
Moonee Valley will now take on Oak Park in next week’s blockbuster preliminary final at Greenvale Recreation Reserve.
By Jake Reeves
GLENROY 6.9 (45) def. by WESTMEADOWS 9.13 (67)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows has knocked out Glenroy and found its way into the 2026 Division Two grand final after a 22-point win at Burnside Heights Recreation Reserve.
It was a scrappy start to Saturday afternoon’s contest with only the three goals in the opening term which saw the Tigers in front by under a goal at the first change.
Both sides missed some opportunities in the second, but Westmeadows were able to capitalise on some of theirs, giving themselves them a 13-point lead at the main break.
A third quarter domination put the game to bed before the final term which saw the Tigers pile on four goals, leaving the Roys scoreless for a whole quarter of footy.
A last quarter fight back from the Roys did not prove to be enough and sent the Tigers into a frenzy as they play in their third consecutive grand final next weekend against Coburg Districts.
Adrian Alfonsi’s four goals led the Tigers on Saturday, along with Riley Hearne and Nathan Sparks who both had big afternoons when needed.
The Taleb’s in Noah and Omar were two of the best on what was a heartbreaking afternoon for the Roys after going down in both of their finals in a tough fashion.
This result now leaves Coburg Districts outfit looking to make it the perfect season come up against the in-form side in the competition in Westmeadows at Windy Hill this Saturday.
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