By Luke Mathews
KEILOR 12.8 (80) def. by STRATHMORE 18.12 (120)
MATCH CENTRE
Strathmore has recorded a major upset to book its spot in the grand final, downing Keilor by 40 points at Section Road.
Saturday’s victory is the Mores' best win since their 2022 grand final victory and will now see them reach their third decider in four years.
It was a nine-goal third quarter blitz that set up the victory for Nick Ash’s side, with the reigning premiers unable to find an answer for Strathmore’s midfield dominance.
The Mores had +13 contested possessions, +7 clearances, and +13 inside 50s in the third term with youngster Christopher Scerri leading the way with 14 touches and eight inside 50s.
Strathmore’s ability to win contest and clearance was the difference at Section Road while the Mores found a way to challenge Keilor’s rock-solid backline like no other side has this year.
Strathmore won contested possession by 30 and kicked nine goals from clearances compared to Keilor’s five, despite only having an extra two for the match.
The Blues now find themselves in the exact same position last year having lost one home and away game and a semi final, however still managed to win the grand final by 10 goals.
Coach Mick McGuane said Strathmore were much better than Keilor in so many facets of the game in the third term, especially contest and defensive transition, however believed his side would learn a lot.
The Blues started positively, booting the first two goals through Chris Kosmas and Joel Sadler, however Strathmore hit back with two of their own to tie the scores heading into quarter time.
Keilor managed to kick three of the first four of the second quarter, however Strathmore refused to go away, kicking three goals against the wind to tie the scores again.
Kosmas gave Keilor a huge lift heading into half time with the sharpshooter marking and goaling just before the siren to give Keilor a four-point buffer heading into the break.
The sides traded blows to start the third term, however Strathmore used the wind to their advantage, kicking nine majors in a clinical display in front of the sticks.
In need of something special to turn around the 47-point three quarter time deficit, the Blues had no answer with goals to Corey Grindlay and Athan Tsialtas sealing a memorable victory.
Superstar Trent Dumont was excellent in Saturday’s win collecting 30 disposals, while Luke Jarrad and Scerri were both superb.
Captain Kane Barbuto did all he could finishing with 21 disposals and two goals, while Kosmas’ strong record over Strathmore continued with another three majors.
The Blues will regroup before taking on Airport West at Coburg City Oval for a spot in the grand final.
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ABERFELDIE 14.15 (99) def. by AIRPORT WEST 15.10 (100)
MATCH CENTRE
POST GAME SHOW
Airport West have come out on top in one of the best finals in recent memory, defeating Aberfeldie by one point in an absolute thriller at Salesian College.
The dramatic victory sees Brent Taylor’s side advance through to their first Premier Division preliminary final since 2013 and extends their emotion-charged winning streak to five matches.
After appearing to rush through a behind to tie the scores with less than a minute to play, Abers were awarded a free kick at the top of the goal square.
Connor Bassett made no mistake from the set shot and appeared to kick the match winning goal at the 32-minute mark.
In need of a miracle to salvage their season, inspirational captain Ned Gentile took charge and burst through the front of the stoppage.
The skipper hit up Luca Muratore in a one on one with Abers unable to kill the contest in the dying seconds.
The siren sounded shortly after, and the superstar held his nerve to kick truly with the celebrations boiling over onto the field in one of the most memorable victories in Airport West’s history.
The Eagles were much more efficient in front of goal, kicking 15.10 from their 45 entries, while Abers could only manage 14.15 from 58 inside 50s.
Abers couldn’t make the most of their dominance at contest and clearance having +20 contested possession and +8 clearances, but could only manage 5.7 from stoppages.
The two sides went blow for blow in the first quarter, with Aberfeldie ahead by just one point after the Eagles struggled with a scoreline of 3.6.
Clay Illman’s side put the foot down in the second term booting five goals to go into the break with a handy 23-point buffer.
The game was turned on its head in the third term with the Eagles kicking seven goals to wrestle back the momentum and give themselves a six-point lead.
Sam Medland tied the scores when he snapped through the first of the last from an out of bounds on the full free kick.
The Eagles hit back almost straight away when Gentile was gifted a 50-metre penalty and made no mistake from the set shot.
Airport West’s lead was extended when Max Rider snapped through his second before Abers hit back through a Ben Williamson toe poke from the goal square.
Abers squandered several opportunities to hit the front late in the third term, however couldn’t land the knockout blow and were ultimately made to pay.
Tyson Young stood up when it mattered, grabbing 28 touches, while Gentile and Matthew Hanson were instrumental in willing the Eagles over the line.
Callum Moore ended his season with another big performance collecting 31 disposals and booting three goals, while Jai Bahnert and Liam Spear both performed well on the big stage.
Airport West will be hoping to repeat Sunday’s heroics when they take on Keilor at Coburg City Oval on Sunday.
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By Eric Forman
HILLSIDE 18.7 (115) def. CRAIGIEBURN 8.8 (56)
MATCH CENTRE
Hillside will progress through to its first Strathmore Community Bank Division One grand final following a 59-point win over Craigieburn in the preliminary final.
The Eagles entered this game full of confidence with a remarkable turnaround seeing them just four quarters away from a grand final berth.
They led by three points at the first change after kicking the first two goals of the game in quick time.
It was a strong response from Mo Kaakour's men with six goals to one in the second quarter setting up the strong win.
From there, Hillside would control the contest before extending out in the last quarter to the 59-point deficit.
Josh Covelli has been eyeing the 100-goal mark for a number of weeks now and ended with five, two short of the milestone to leave him with a strong chance of raising the bat on grand final day.
Lachlan Henson was named the Sharks' best with three goals, with Fort Caruso and Sulaiman Elleissy each kicking two.
Khalil Kaakour was strong through the middle with 30 disposals, nine clearances, and eight tackles, as was Zak Wunhym (28 disposals, nine clearances).
Jamie Gorgievski returned from injury with five majors, but the Eagles couldn't find enough avenues to goal with singles to Josh Collins, Michael Conlan, and Ben Radford.
Craigieburn has plenty to be proud of and build upon, with Jack Carlyon and Cale Bettanin locked in as co-coaches and a stack of young talent that'll only improve.
Unfortunately for them, though, their season ends here, and the Sharks advanced through to the decider at Coburg City Oval against Oak Park!
By Evan Tudor
WESTMEADOWS 8.10 (58) def. by RUPERTSWOOD 8.13 (61)
MATCH CENTRE
Rupertswood claimed its first piece of senior EDFL silverware after a thrilling three-point victory over Westmeadows in the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two grand final.
In front of a huge crowd packing the stands and surrounds at Highgate Recreation Reserve, both sides put on a show to remember.
Read the full match report HERE.
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