By Luke Mathews
ABERFELDIE 9.7 (61) def. by STRATHMORE 18.8 (116)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has reversed its regular season results to defeat Aberfeldie by 55 points in the qualifying final at Sewell Reserve.
Despite going down to the Rillas twice this year, Nick Ash’s side successfully turned the tables on their arch rivals and will now face Keilor for a spot in the grand final.
Despite being one of the most in-form sides across the competition towards the end of the home and away season, Abers were found wanting when it really mattered.
It was Strathmore’s work around clearance and contest that set up the win, kicking 10 goals from stoppages which was well above their usual rate.
The Mores were also able to rectify their efficiency going inside 50 which has cost them in earlier meetings, scoring from 50 per cent of their entries and kicked 18.8 in front of goal.
Strathmore adapted quicker to the wild conditions at Sewell Reserve, kicking three first quarter goals to go into the break with a four-point advantage.
The advantage was extended during the second quarter with another six goals which was set up by Trent Dumont and Adam Iacobucci’s dominance around the ball.
Down by 17 and in need of a response, Abers had no answer with Strathmore piling on the pain thanks to another six majors, with Athan Tsialtas and Corey Grindlay combining for four of them.
With the game all but over at three quarter time, the Mores finished the final quarter with another three goals which was enough to storm away with a comprehensive victory.
Liam Cavanagh’s dominance continued with the defender stepping up to collect 27 disposals, while Matthew Allison and Mitch Purcell were also huge in Saturday’s win.
While they’ll be disappointed with Saturday’s performance, Nic Watson was excellent with two goals and Stefan Rasinac and Jean-Luc Velissaris found plenty of the footy.
Abers will lick their wounds before taking on Airport West in a do-or-die semi final at Salesian College, while Strathmore will square off with Keilor at Section Road.
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DEER PARK 9.9 (63) def. by AIRPORT WEST 12.21 (93)
MATCH CENTRE
Airport West has advanced through to a semi final after defeating Deer Park by 30 points at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
The win marks the Eagles' fourth victory in a row and are now one of the in-form teams of the competition which seemed unthinkable just one month ago.
Sunday’s win is also Airport West’s first finals victory since winning the 2022 Division One flag and marks steady progression for Brent Taylor’s side since returning to the top flight.
Despite having a successful home and away season which saw them finish fourth, Deer Park will be disappointed with their end to the year which has been marred by inconsistency.
Airport West were on top early, however they could only muster a two-point quarter time advantage after kicking 2.5 in the opening term.
The lead was extended to nine points by half time with another four goals to the Eagles, however Deer Park remained in touching distance with three of their own.
The damage was done in the third quarter with Airport West booting four majors and restricting the Lions to just one to go into the final term with a 32-point lead.
The Lions couldn’t manage a late fightback with 2.7 to the Eagles enough to seal a memorable finals victory.
Tyson Young starred once again and continued his hot form, while Cooper Janevski and Max Rider both booted three goals.
Despite going down, Diesel Moloney and Mark Galea continued their impressive seasons, while Jack Noonan was good once again.
The Eagles will recover before taking on Aberfeldie in a blockbuster semi final at Salesian College.
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By Tara Murray
OAK PARK 2.5 (17) def. by HILLSIDE 3.4 (22)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside has claimed its first EDFL senior women's premiership in the most remarkable circumstances.
After leading for most of the game, the Sharks premiership hopes came down to the final kick of the day.
Read the full match report HERE.
By Ben Parker
OAK PARK 13.13 (91) def. HILLSIDE 6.13 (49)
MATCH CENTRE
Oak Park has punched their ticket to the 2025 Strathmore Community Bank Division One grand final with a cruisy 42-point win over Hillside.
The Kangaroos were on top for most of the afternoon, with a six-goal-to-nil third quarter avalanche proving too much to handle for a helpless Sharks outfit.
A fiery opening half of football is what was anticipated, and this delivered with the Roos and Sharks going blow for blow in what was a thrilling first two quarters.
The Roos took a 13-point lead into the main break in play, but the game was evenly poised heading into the second half.
A third-quarter demolition job is what followed, with the minor premiers throwing a powerful punch in a six-goal-to-nil tsunami.
The Sharks could not rebut this statement, and the Roos went on to record a relatively comfortable 42-point victory.
Oak Park big man Josh Hotchkin was instrumental with another monstrous ruck performance. He recorded 24 disposals, 65 hit outs, and 11 clearances in what was a dominant display.
Lachie Ronaldson did the damage on the scoreboard for the Roos, with the dynamic forward booting four goals for the afternoon.
For the Sharks, Robbie Castello fought hard all day, with the veteran midfielder logging 30 disposals and six clearances.
It’s not the end of the road for the Sharks, as they make use of their double chance this week when they come up against a hot Craigieburn outfit in a preliminary final.
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WEST COBURG 5.15 (45) def. by CRAIGIEBURN 8.9 (57)
MATCH CENTRE
Craigieburn has sent West Coburg packing after a brilliant 12-point win to end the Burgers season.
The hope of a fourth straight trip to the last day of the season has been extinguished for West Coburg, as they bow out of the finals in straight sets.
The Eagles simply outplayed them in the key moments, leading all afternoon to hold onto a win that will be remembered for quite some time.
With the Burgers proving to be wasteful in front of goal, the Eagles made the most of their opportunities in critical moments.
It was a hot start to the contest with both sides registering five scoring shots in the first quarter, but the Eagles took a three-goal lead into the first break with their opponents unable to convert a major.
The Burgers were able to wrestle momentum back their way in the second term, but were still wayward in front of the sticks with a half-time score of 2.9 to their name.
On the other hand, the Eagles sat at an even 4.4 heading into the main break, holding onto a seven-point lead.
West Coburg drew even closer in the ‘premiership quarter’ to trim the margin back to just one point at three-quarter time, before the Eagles kicked away.
Craigieburn kicked three goals to one in the fourth quarter to record a memorable semi final win and boot the Burgers out of the finals.
Jai Robinson turned heads with his best-on-ground performance which saw him named as the Mt Alexander Hotel player of the match.
His lethal left foot was pivotal in defence, orchestrating key moments in attack all day.
For the Burgers, Patrick McCallum was among their best in what was ultimately a disappointing end to their season.
Craigieburn are now set for a date with Hillside in this week’s preliminary final for a place in the 2025 Strathmore Community Bank Division One grand final.
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By Evan Tudor
GLENROY 5.10 (40) def. by RUPERTSWOOD 12.9 (81)
MATCH CENTRE
Rupertswood has secured a spot in next weekend’s premiership decider with a commanding 41-point victory over the minor premiers Glenroy.
From start to finish Rupo led, with credit to Fraser Phelan-Smith's four-goal outing.
Clayton Bonello and Jackson Pranauskas also hit the scoreboard with two goals each.
Those were some of the names in the Sharks’ best-on list, with Daniel Kavanagh and Jackson Cardillo also earning some honours.
A display of seven goalkickers certainly isn’t Rupertswood's highest of the season, but is a good confidence boost that shows an ability for a range players to combine for some high scoring success.
The Roys were within nine points at half time, but simply couldn’t get their hands on the footy enough from there, only scoring 2.7 to Rupo’s 8.3 from there on.
Aaron Kite kicked two with an array of single goal kickers for the men in red and white with Mark Sabatino, Noah Taleb, and Jake Young all making their efforts shown on the scoreboard.
It’s the third time this season Rupo has gotten the upper hand on Glenroy, with previous meetings having margins of nine and 22.
But while the Roys couldn’t go all the way, their impact was truly felt in this match.
Veteran Lachlan Cox was named their best alongside Aaron Dimatteo.
Glenroy will definitely be disappointed with this result, but its turn around from an eighth place finish in 2024 to a minor premiership just 12 months later is something that should be celebrated and provide confidence ahead of 2026.
Rupertswood has a chance to make history next Saturday and raise the premiership cup for the first time in the EDFL, in what would be a monumental moment for the club after last season's relegation.
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WESTMEADOWS 14.15 (99) def. KEILOR PARK 11.4 (70)
MATCH CENTRE
A 29-point win over Keilor Park has seen Westmeadows over the line and into next week’s grand final against Rupertswood.
Leading by 11 at the first change, the Tigers increased that to a 33-point lead at the half and 30 for the final change, proof that they held full control of the footy all afternoon.
Korey Flavel-Wood and Aaron Evans were strong in front of the big sticks for the Tigers with the pair snagging four and three respectively.
The Devils, who have been one of the surprises of this season, held their heads high throughout the match and boasted some impressive form with Tyler Killick and Lindon Bektash named their best.
Mark Jamar and Daylan Kempster also continued consistent goalkicking with a respective three and two.
In an impressive final push by the outfit, Keilor Park won the last term and prevented the Tigers from breaking the ton.
Westmeadows will look to do one better than in 2024 and raise some silverware next week.
Keilor Park should be immensely proud of its efforts that came this year after just a single win and relegation in 2024.
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