Call them the tenacious Tigers.
After back-to-back grand final defeats and a string of injuries in 2026, Westmeadows has returned to the big stage against all the odds.
Ash Flavel's men are embracing their underdog status after an eye-catching Community Bank Strathmore Division Two finals series, adamant they can conquer undefeated Coburg Districts in Saturday's decider.
The Tigers finished the home-and-away season in fourth spot with 10 wins, only sealing their finals spot in the last round.
However, they have outclassed Hadfield and Glenroy in cut-throat finals the past two weeks to earn another shot at glory.
Westmeadows have fallen agonisingly short of the ultimate prize, losing to Taylors Lakes (19 points) in 2024 and Rupertswood (three points) in 2025.
Coburg Districts will enter the clash at Windy Hill as warm favourites after a 19-game winning run and a week's rest.
But the Tigers are chock-full of confidence and have lost two games to the Lions by a combined margin of 18 points this season, giving them hope they can complete a grand final boilover.
"They're a great side ... well coached, well structured, and to win 19 games in a row is an incredible effort. But come Saturday, I don't think it means too much. I think there's more pressure on them than there is us going into this week," Flavel said.
"But we're looking forward to the challenge. The way the boys have been the last few weeks, you could just tell. I've known them over the last four or five years and hopefully the footy gods are on our side this week and we can get it done.
"I just think all across the ground we match-up well against them.
"Yes, they've got some stars, and we've got a lot of blokes in really good form. They have to worry about us at the same time.
"I know deep down the boys are ready to go."
Making Westmeadows' feat all the more meritorious is the fact it has been achieved without two of the competition's leading players.
Last year's league best-and-fairest winner Aaron Evans (three games) and skipper Ryan Capron (15) suffered season-ending injuries, threatening to derail the club's flag campaign.
The adversity has only highlighted the Tigers' enviable homegrown talent after they were forced to undergo a full rebuild following the 2022 season.
"That's one thing we're really proud of. To lose them and get where we have now, and the fact that we've been winning and playing the way we are, it just shows belief in the group," Flavel said.
"As much as I want them (Evans and Capron) a part of it, and they are hurting this week, no doubt ... losing your best two players and to be where we are, I'm pretty proud of the boys.
"I'm pretty confident and we've got nothing to lose this week. I know we've lost the last two and probably last year hurt, and it still does, but I just told (the players) to block that out and think about last year and how you felt, and how you could feel this Saturday if we win."
Flavel noted his side had found "a good balance" in the absence of two of their stars.
The likes of Jordan Kosteas, Jordan Hollow, Nathan Sparks, Michael Portelli, Jarrod Petersen, Brayden Sudaro, and 17-year-old Lawson Johnson-Schollick have stood tall in the finals. Flavel said consummate team performances had been key to the success.
"The good thing is they've been together for so long now, and the connection and the love they have for each other and the jumper," he said.
"You can't replace those guys (Evans and Capron). We know that, but we do the best we can.
"Did we think we were going to get there (a grand final) six or eight weeks ago, probably not, but now that we're there, we're in with a big, big chance of hopefully holding up some silverware. I think we can do it if we get things right on Saturday."
Both clubs will be looking to end decades-long premiership droughts, with Westmeadows' only EDFL senior men's flag coming in Division One in 1984.
Coburg Districts have not claimed a premiership in the EDFL in that name, last hoisting the silverware in the Western league in 1988.
It has been a memorable season for the Tigers, with their senior women's team tasting premiership success, while their reserves have also qualified for the decider.
Flavel will be hoping it is a case of third time lucky for his players.
