WITH all junior and senior women’s football completed for Season 2018, the focus is now on the senior men’s competitions.
Last weekend the blue skies and warmer weather reminded us that it is footy finals time of the year!
Essendon Ford Division 1 finals commenced last weekend, and for the second year in a row Tullamarine and Airport West met in the first week of the finals.
This year it was the major semi-final where last year it was the elimination final.
Intrigue was high going into the match as the two teams had played each other the previous week in Round 18. On Saturday, Airport West came away the victor, as they did in Round 18 and interestingly they also won the first final in 2017.
Congratulations to the Airport West Football Club players, coaches, support staff and administration with both their senior and reserves teams #WindyHillBound after qualifying through to the Essendon Ford Division 1 Grand Final on Saturday September 8.
In the Essendon Ford Division 1 first semi-final, Craigieburn withstood the fast finishing Hillside team to hold on for a thrilling two-point win.
This Sunday will see Tullamarine play Craigieburn at Coburg City Oval.
Tullamarine won both home-and-away matches, however the margins were close, being three points and 16 points.
An amazing Round 18 of Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division saw the teams placed second, third and fourth after Round 17 all change ladder positions within the top four.
Aberfeldie were the big winners moving from fourth to second and securing the ‘double chance’ with a win over Strathmore.
Drawing a form line for the first two Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division finals is very difficult.
First, there was only a one-win difference between first and fourth on the ladder, and when these teams played each other during the year the results have been split with one win each.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that on all occasions when these teams have played this year, the away team won.
Strathmore Community Bank Division 2 was very similar to Premier Division, with the top three places on the ladder changing after the final home-and-away round of matches.
Northern Saints will enter their match against Roxburgh Park with the knowledge of finishing the home-and-away season on top of the ladder and having beaten Roxburgh Park on all three occasions this season so far.
In the first semi-final, Moonee Valley will play East Sunbury in what also looks like being a close match-up.
Congratulations to all involved with the East Sunbury Football Club on qualifying for their first senior men’s appearance in EDFL finals.
As a new member club of the EDFL, it is pleasing to see that progressive improvement in recent years has led to making the finals this year.
Whilst talking of finals, please note that due to recent incidents, the EDFL has decided that no animals will be permitted into any finals venues except for dogs to assist people whose vision is impaired.
Good luck for the weekend.
