By Luke Mathews
PASCOE VALE 16.13 (109) def. STRATHMORE 6.9 (45)
MATCH CENTRE
Pascoe Vale have made up for last year’s disappointing preliminary final loss after defeating Strathmore by 64 points at Section Road.
Saturday’s win is Pascoe Vale’s first finals victory since their 2022 elimination final victory against Keilor and makes amends for a straight sets exit in 2023.
After a relatively even first half which saw the Panthers take an 11-point lead into half time, Leigh Tudor’s side blew the game wide open with six third-quarter goals before piling on four more in the final term to cruise to victory.
Adam Figliola starred once again kicking three goals to help set up the victory, while Ben Allan and Carled El Khoder contributed strongly with two goals each.
Despite being well beaten, Athan Tsialtas’ fine form continued with another two goals while Ryan Brodie and Trent Dumont fought hard all day.
Saturday’s result now sets up a blockbuster clash between Keilor and Pascoe Vale at Piranha Park next Saturday with a place in the grand final up for grabs.
Strathmore’s season will go on the line against Greenvale at Piranha Park on Sunday.
ABERFELDIE 3.6 (24) def. by GREENVALE 14.14 (98)
MATCH CENTRE
Greenvale have punched their ticket to the semi finals, defeating Aberfeldie by 74 points at Piranha Park.
Sunday’s win is the Jets' first finals victory since the 2017 preliminary final against Marby.
The victory is also Greenvale’s first finals win against Abers since the 2013 grand final which breaks a run of five straight finals losses in 10 years against their arch rivals including two grand final losses in 2015 and 2017.
In difficult conditions, it was the Jets who had the better looks at goal in the first half which helped them open up a 23-point half time lead before storming home with six goals in the third term and four in the last.
After a quiet game in Round 18, Josh Porter starred for the Jets kicking three goals to take his season tally to 37 from just 14 games, while Hayden Fraser made the most of his opportunities with two goals each.
Despite going down, Josh Kemp, Brodie Newman, and Ben Ronke finished the season well and were all able to hit the scoreboard in their final outing for 2024.
The Jets will be hoping to keep their run going when they return to Coburg City Oval to face Strathmore in a do or die semi final next Sunday.
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By Joseph Ibic
MARIBYRNONG PARK 11.8 (74) def. WEST COBURG 5.20 (50)
MATCH CENTRE
Maribyrnong Park has booked the first spot in the decider after a hard fought victory over West Coburg by 24 points.
Marby’s victory was largely due to their better accuracy in front of goals as they adjusted to the tumultuous wind better than their opponents.
Lachie Plowman, James Kayrooz, and Josh Cole led the way up front for the Lions kicking two goals each with Scott Clarke among the best.
West Coburg will be rueing their inaccurate kicking in front of goal that undoubtedly hurt them.
They would be particularly disappointed with their first quarter that saw them score 12 behinds and no goals.
West Coburg will take on St Albans in next weekend's preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.
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HILLSIDE 9.11 (65) def. by ST ALBANS 18.9 (117)
MATCH CENTRE
St Albans are through to the preliminary final after knocking Hillside out in straight sets with a 52-point victory.
The Saints were clinical in the first quarter, booting seven unanswered goals to set up the victory before holding off any Hillside counter attacks throughout the match to run out comfortable winners.
Josh Carter was important for the Saints up forward as he slotted five majors in the victory, while Jake Galea and late inclusion Alex Tsia were also among the best, scoring two goals each and using the ball well by hand and foot.
It will be a bitterly disappointing end to the season for Hillside who exit the finals in straight sets after finishing the home and away season in third place.
The Sharks were thoroughly outclassed by St Albans across the four quarters and despite a few fightbacks, the Sharks never really looked like winning or getting close.
St Albans will play West Coburg in the preliminary final for a spot in the decider.
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By Luke Mathews
BURNSIDE HEIGHTS 6.9 (45) def. by WESTMEADOWS 8.17 (65)
MATCH CENTRE
Westmeadows have booked their spot in the grand final defeating Burnside Heights by 20 points at Salesian College.
The win now gives the Tigers a chance to win their first grand final since 1984 and return to Division One, while Burnside’s wait for promotion will continue after a straight sets finals exit.
The Bears opened up an early advantage with two first-quarter goals to take an 11-point lead into quarter time before the margin was reduced to four points at the main break.
The Tigers turned the game on its head with four third-quarter goals which saw them take a 17-point lead into the final term.
After missing three shots early in final term, the Bears reduced the margin to nine points 16 minutes into the last quarter before Westmeadows sealed the victory with two goals later in the fourth quarter.
Rex Hickman starred for the Tigers with three goals to help set up the victory while Ryan Capron, Jake Hatton, and Luke Smith stood up when it mattered.
Daniel Hovey continued his strong 2024 season with another three goals while Luke Bonello and Mason Bawden fought hard all day.
The Tigers will be hoping to continue their run and make it three from three in a blockbuster grand final against Taylors Lakes next Saturday at Windy Hill.
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