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.
Check out the full match centre here.
The Sharks opened the contest hard and fast, with their leading goalkicker Fraser Phelan-Smith striking first blood in the opening minutes.
Jackson Pranauskas backed this up with the side’s second goal moments later to extend the lead, proving the Sharks were unfazed kicking against a strong wind.
Westmeadows were unable to capitalise as much as they would’ve liked in the opening term, with strong tackling all round by Rupo preventing them from better-utilising forward 50 entries.
The Tigers were just on three behinds 10 minutes into the decider, but a long and effective kick from the boot of Ryan Capron set Mitch Church up to break the goal drought.
Tiger Harley Gleeson snagged the second for his side after a 50-metre penalty saw him launch the kick from 50.
Daniel Spencer, Aaron Evans, and Rupo’s Matt McDonald were also some key figures in that opening term.
Westy’s Capron was all over the ball wherever you looked in the first 30 minutes with 12 disposals contributing to his match-total of 25 and the Ian Price Medal for best on ground.
The Tigers took a three-point lead at the first change, but it didn’t come easily. With the wind behind them, they would’ve been further in front had they been more accurate.
It was a fast and furious second quarter for both Westy and Rupo as they sought to edge closer towards ownership of the premiership cup.
It was becoming clear that Rupertswood was gaining the advantage over Westy, but the Tigers did not give up through it all.
The Sharks were just too good at preventing their opposition from breaking out. Jackson Cardillo contributed to this with his 12 tackles laid throughout the day.
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In the ruck we saw Michael Mayne and Daniel Kavanagh go head to head at nearly every ball up and throw in.
Mayne was performing well in the ruck and was able to start some fast ball movement for his side.
The siren for the main break sounded to see Rupertswood up by seven points, but it should’ve been higher after some wasted opportunities saw them not use the wind to their full potential.
The third quarter was when things started to get interesting for everyone on and around the ground.
Westy struck first through Church before some of Rupo’s key men in Pranauskas and James Fox slotted goals to send the Sharks up by 13.
But that’s when the Tigers put pedal to the metal and started to attack their forward 50.
While there weren’t goals immediately flowing for the trailing Tigers, you could tell something was starting to brew and this game was getting interesting.
Korey Flavel-Wood and Shaun O'Grady booted one each in the latter stage of the term and gave Westmeadows some sense of belief and a one-point lead at the final change.
Westmeadows dominated the early stages of the final term with Hugo Jenkins and Jordan Kosteas being among the standouts when applying pressure and marking.
Jenkins accelerated and snapped to teammate Evans who went on to kick a goal and extend the lead to seven.
Ryan Stingel added quickly with a goal from an angle to take it to a 13-point lead. It seemed as if Rupertswood were unable to keep up.
But it was Mitchell Johnston who rose to the occasion for Rupo late into the match and kicked a goal for a six-point margin.
The energy continued for the Sharks, whose attempt to tie things up moments later was denied by a strong mark from Tiger Michael Portelli.
Portelli had been a stunning ball-controller throughout the contest with six marks.
A couple of behinds later for Rupertswood and a goal kicked by a running Clayton Bonello saw Rupertswood over the line to win the 2025 premiership by three.
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There were joyous scenes for the victorious Rupertswood as they hoisted the premiership cup at the conclusion of a stellar year.
The Sharks will be back in Strathmore Community Bank Division One next year. It’s a level of football they all know well having played there from 2021 to 2024.
The Tigers will feel the effects of this second consecutive grand final loss, but they should hold their heads high knowing that they were one of the most entertaining teams all season and such a dynamic force in this competition.
We all know they are capable of big things and will be eager to make amends in 2026 with a stunning talent line paving the way.
That’s a wrap on Strathmore Community Bank Division Two football for 2025, what a season it has been.
It has been one of the closest seasons in any EDFL senior level, and what has been produced from Round 1 to the grand final truly is a testament to this.
See you next year.
