By Ashleigh Matosevic
A huge showdown is set for what will be a highly anticipated qualifying final between Aberfeldie and Oak Park at Coburg City Oval.
Aberfeldie capped off their impressive home and away season being crowned the minor premiers.
Strong depth, explosive scoring bursts, and a healthy rotation of contributors have been crucial for the side in getting them here.
Abers often record strong wins, finishing off the regular season with just two losses in the season and as the highest-scoring team in the competition.
A bulk of Aberfeldie's scoreboard pressure often comes from Mo Hope, the division's leading goal scorer with 63 goals.
Hope has been a constant threat all season, and proven capable of match-winning hauls. They'll be key to breaking open the opposition's defence.
It hasn't happened a lot, but if key names like Hope and Em Smith aren't hitting the scoreboard, they'll need others to step up.
In their Round 4 clash with Hillside, Hope and Smith were goalless in the 11-point loss.
That said, Aberfeldie has won every game when they've scored 40 or more so if they reach that threshold, they'll take some catching.
Skipper Liv Madden has had a sensational season, featuring in the best in 15 of 16 games.
Madden's ability to influence the contest week in and week out makes them a crucial player in the team's structure and one for Oak Park to keep an eye on.
Oak Park will come into the qualifying final full of confidence.
After building up an impressive 2025 campaign (14-2), the side has staked its claim for the three-peat.
Multiple games with triple-digit scores demonstrate their attacking abilities, while their ability to break games wide open in a quarter can make them dangerous for any opponent.
The reigning premiers were bludgeoned in their first meeting with Aberfeldie by 98 points, but bounced back to win the second clash by seven points in a twilight thriller.
Emily Findlay has had a superb season, with her run and carry and scoreboard impact seeing her named in the best on 10 occasions this year.
Findlay kicked the first goal in last year's decider and will take some stopping.
Stephanie Normington-Dickens has set the standard for consistency for her side this season kicking 25 goals from 16 games, with Tamsyn Kirk and Sasha Nelson (18 goals each) also looming dangerous up front.
The winner books the first spot at Windy Hill for the grand final.
Over at Lionheart Reserve, it'll be do or die in the elimination final where Hillside will take on the Essendon Doutta Stars once again.
Last week's final game of the regular season was a teaser of the action, which saw the Sharks pull off a comfortable 78-point win.
The Sharks head into the game confidently, having capped off the regular season with a winning record of 13-3.
Their multiple goal scorers and reliable contributors in each position highlight the depth they have across the field.
Their dominance across four quarters and goal-kicking barrage have helped them overwhelm sides.
Emily Paterno (30 goals) and Caitlin Sargent (26 goals) are two players with experience at the next level that can break a finals game open, and will be ones to watch.
For the Stars, they've secured their spot in finals following their solid record in 2025, banking the wins needed to remain in the hunt for that prestigious premiership title.
Up forward, Ada Pizzinga has been a constant threat and along with the resilience the team has shown over the season adding to their strengths, the Stars have given themselves a chance for potential glory this season.
With the regular season behind them, the Stars can head into August finals action with a clean slate, but with a tough injury list.
Consistency has been hard for the Stars to come by this year, as reflected by their regular season win record (8-8).
Their most recent match-up, a loss against to their elimination final opponents the Sharks, underscored the challenge of matching it with the competition's top sides.
Saturday’s game will be a big test for the Stars who will need to quickly turn things around if they are to progress further.
Harmony Mitsos is one the Stars will turn to with her ability to influence games week after week, whether with goals or in crucial passages of play.
The winner heads to the prelim, with the loser signing off for season 2025.
By Ashleigh Matosevic
The stakes couldn't be any higher in the preliminary final between Keilor Park and Burnside Heights at Walter St Reserve.
The winner books their spot with Strathmore in the grand final, while the loser sees their season cut heartbreakingly short.
Keilor Park move to the preliminary final following a 20-point loss to Strathmore last week.
Burnside Heights' 57-point victory over Westmeadows in last week's elimination final keeps their premiership hopes alive.
The Devils showed composure under pressure last week, particularly in the second half where they were able to show signs a comeback against Strathmore.
Saturday’s clash will be a big test for the Devils if they're able to get on top of their opponents early and play that out across all four quarters.
The Bears’ ball dominance was on full display last week against Westmeadows.
Though they were slow to get out the gates in the opener, their potent scoring power, including an impressive four unanswered goals in the second term, saw them cruise towards a commanding victory.
With both sides coming into this clash with high expectations, expect a ferocious contest.
These two teams have already met each other twice during the regular season, setting the stage for a high-pressure clash for their third meeting in 2025.
The Devils have secured wins the two times they've gone against the Bears this season so far.
But with a ticket to face Strathmore in the grand final up for grabs, it will be a ticket that both sides will be desperate to claim.
By Evan Tudor
The Airport Toyota Division Two preliminary final is here, with Taylors Lakes and the Sunbury Kangaroos going head to head at Walter Street Reserve for a spot in next week’s premiership decider.
While it’ll be the fourth time these sides meet in 2025, this one should be the most intriguing out of the lot.
When they met in rounds eight and 11, it was the Kangas who came in as underdogs but won convincingly by a respective 25 and 35 points.
Round 13 saw another meeting between the two as Taylors Lakes finally redeemed themselves by 18 points.
And with both the Lions and Kangas coming off contrasting finals results last weekend, this one could swing either way.
Taylors Lakes held their heads high despite being overrun by 61 points against Gisborne-Kyneton United in the qualifying final.
Sunbury Kangaroos got revenge over Roxburgh Park by nine points in a nail-biting elimination final.
Lions’ vice-captain Rebecca Foggie will be one to watch on Saturday after a remarkable performance in defence last weekend.
Foggie gave it her all as she prevented numerous goals through stunning marks, smothers, and clearances, in addition to her ability to run the ball out of the pack.
Co-captain Stefania Valerio was also impressive in the Lions’ defeat.
Her fast goal late in the fourth term gave her side something to smile about, perhaps a confidence boost heading into this one.
However, the Kangas will throw it all on Taylors with a lineup set to light up the match.
Kangas’ leading best-on-ground getter Tylah Bell has had a great season, picking up 12 from 14 played games.
Bell also leads the goal-scoring at Sunbury with nine majors, closely followed by captain Lisa Kirby (eight) who snagged three last weekend.
Summer Pazsa has also had a year to remember with 10 best-on namings and a goal last weekend.
Mia Briggs has also earned seven best-on appearances from 15 matches.
So as Taylors Lakes and Sunbury Kangaroos fight for the last grand final ticket, it’ll be interesting to see who gets up here, especially as both sides have what it takes.
Who will join Gisborne-Kyneton United for that one day in August? Let’s find out.
THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES
ABERFELDIE v OAK PARK
🎥 Streamer
Saturday 1:50pm at Coburg City Oval
HILLSIDE v ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS
Saturday 1:50pm at Lionheart Reserve
KEILOR PARK v BURNSIDE HEIGHTS
Saturday 1:50pm at Walter St Reserve
TAYLORS LAKES v SUNBURY KANGAROOS
Saturday 11:50am at Walter St Reserve
