Check out all the big results and news from a big day in local footy around Melbourne
There were premierships won, grand final tickets booked and big bags kicked as local footy finals continued across Melbourne. Check out all the big news here.
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The spring sunshine shined on Melbourne and it produced some stunning local footy action.
Premierships were handed out in the Eastern and Outer East leagues, while a host of clubs booked their tickets to the decider.
There were some big bags, match-winning displays and plenty more.
Check out the big talking points from around the grounds below.
DONVALE REIGNS SUPREME
Donvale romped to the Eastern Division 3 premiership with a 16.8 (104) to 6.8 (44) win over Ferntree Gully at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park on Saturday. Donvale midfielder and captain James Rausa won the best-on-ground medal. Donvale fell two points short of the Division 3 crown last season, with Saturday’s victory marking the club’s second senior men’s premiership in six years, having saluted in Division 4 in 2017. It finished 14 points clear on top of the ladder this season, losing just one match. The club’s reserves also claimed the flag on Saturday, edging Warrandyte 8.10 (58) to 8.8 (56).
DEER PARK FLEXES IT FINALS MUSCLE, AGAIN
For the second week running, Deer Park showed why it was considered the EDFL Division 1 premiership favourite at the start of the season after thumping West Coburg by 70 points to move through to the grand final. It was West Coburg’s first loss of the season. Bailey Morrish, Levi Greenwood and ruckman Scott Greenhough were among the Lions’ best.
BULLS HOLD ON
Bundoora withstood a late Montmorency comeback to set up a shot at minor premier Heidelberg in the Northern Division 1 major semi-final next week. In a rematch of last season’s qualifying final and preliminary final, the Bulls continued their finals rule over the Magpies with a heart-stopping four-point win at Preston City Oval. Twin-towers Shaun McKernan (five goals) and Peter McEvoy (three) powered the 10.8 (68) to 10.4 (64) win.
EAGLES TO MEET ROSELLAS AGAIN
Defending Southern Division 1 premier and arch-rival Cheltenham will do it again next week after the Eagles held on for a nail-biting two-point win over Dingley in their qualifying final clash. Nick Darbyshire was named best-on in the 9.7 (61) to 9.5 (59) win at Linton Street Oval, while Anthony Fischer impressed and Tyson Barry kicked two goals.
WRFL REDEMPTION IN SIGHT
Werribee Districts won through to the WRFL Division 1 grand final with a powerful 51-point victory over Point Cook in the second semi-final on Saturday. A seven-goal-to-one third term broke the game open in the minor premier’s favour. Meanwhile in Division 3, the Suns are through to their second straight decider after a dominant second-half performance against Albanvale. The flag favourite ran away with the contest after half-time.
OLD MELBURNIANS GREAT ESCAPE
Old Melburnians will be staying in the VAFA’s Premier Division next season. A 61-point win over Caulfield Grammarians combined with Old Haileybury’s loss to St Kevin’s was enough to push OMs out of the relegation places in the final game of the year. Jackson Paine booted four goals while Ed Nichols was named best afield in a winning side. Old Haileybury will now be in Premier B next season.
CALDER’S EIGHT ELIMINATES DEVON MEADOWS.
Jackson Calder put on a show as Mornington won through to the Mornington Peninsula Division 2 decider with a 45-point hammering of Devon Meadows. Paddy Ryder booted four goals at the other end but was no match for Calder’s heroics in the 19.14 (128) to 12.11 (83) win at RJ Rowley Reserve. The Bulldogs will face Somerville in the decider. The club will look to claim a premiership double on Sunday when its women’s and women’s reserves play in the South East Premier Division and Division 1 grand finals.
TOWNERS GOES BACK-TO-BACK
Powelltown is celebrating a second straight Outer East Division 2 flag, defeating Alexandra by 13 points at Yarra Glen. Michael Fowkes booted four goals and former North Melbourne forward Joel Perry added three in the 17.12 (114) to 15.11 (101) triumph. It was the perfect send off for retiring coach Jarrod Bayliss.
BEWLEY RUNS HOT FOR DEVILS
Darley will play off for a place in the Ballarat league grand final next week after a 14-point win over minor premier Melton in the qualifying final. Captain and ex-AFL star Brett Bewley starred in the win, while Billy Myers booted three goals in a 13.10 (88) to 12.2 (74) victory at Maddingley Park. Meanwhile, East Point has shocked third-placed Sebastopol with an 18-point elimination final win to keep its season alive.
DIGGERS CHASING REDEMPTION
Diggers Rest is back in the Riddell District grand final after a thrilling seven-point win over Wallan in Saturday’s major semi-final at Romsey Park. The Burras battled back from 22 points down at half-time, pouring on seven goals in a dominant third quarter to hit the front before a five-goal final term sealed a 17.9 (111) to 16.8 (104) triumph as they look to go one better than last year.
SUNBURY KANGAROOS REMARKABLE TURNAROUND COMPLETE
Sunbury Kangaroos will face off against Oak Park in the EDFL Division 2 grand final after a pulsating five-point victory over Taylors Lakes. The preliminary final victory capped off one of the best in-season turnarounds of the year after the Roos started the season at 0-5.
ALBURY SETS UP YARRAWONGA SHOWDOWN
Albury and Yarrawonga will do battle in the Ovens and Murray league second semi-final next weekend after the Tigers got the better of Wangaratta. The Tigers had the game on their terms after quarter-time with Jake Gaynor and coach Anthony Miles impressing.
PANTHERS, DEMONS INTO DECIDERS
Young gun Jason McCormick kicked five goals, including a match-winning three-burst in the final quarter, to inspire Eltham to a 25-point win over Diamond Creek in the Northern Division 2 major semi-final. Meanwhile, Mernda is into the Division 3 decider with a 36-point win over Old Eltham Collegians in the preliminary final. Will Crouch booted three goals, while Michael Evans on best-on-ground.
ECHUCA’S FLAG DEFENCE STILL ON TRACK
Goulburn Valley league powerhouse Echuca has taken a step towards winning back-to-back premierships after winning through to the second semi-final next weekend. The Murray Bombers overcame Seymour by 32 points at Benalla Showgrounds with Angus Byrne, who was Geelong’s VFL captain this season, booting four goals.
HAWKS, TIGERS INTO GF
Rowville is through to a second-consecutive Eastern Premier Division decider, nosing out Vermont in a 13.7 (85) to 13.6 (84) semi-final thriller at Bayswater Oval. Meanwhile, Mitcham will meet South Belgrave next Saturday in the Division 1 grand final after a 10.4 (64) to 5.8 (38) preliminary final victory over Montrose at Boronia’s Tormore Reserve.
CLOKE FIRES OAKLEIGH INTO THE GRAND FINAL
Oakleigh is the first team into the VAFA Division 1 decider after a powerful 37-point victory over minor premier Glen Eira at Trevor Barker Oval. Aaron Cloke produced a dominant display with eight majors to stamp his authority on the contest early.
DROMANA INTO GRAND FINAL
After losing just one game in the home-and-away season, Dromana marched into the Mornington Peninsula Division 1 grand final with a dominant 37-point win over reigning premier Frankston YCW in their second semi-final. The Stonecats will face the winner of Sunday’s first semi-final between Pines and Mt Eliza.
IRYMPLE INTO ANOTHER DECIDER
Irymple is through to the Sunraysia league grand final after comfortably accounting for Mildura by 53 points. Nick Pezzaniti booted three goals while Tom Brownbridge, Justin Robinson and Dan Coghlan all impressed. Irymple haven’t missed a decider since 2016.
VAMPIRES THROUGH DESPITE MISSING GUNS
Despite missing two of its most important players, Tyrren Head and Sean Downie, East Brighton has booked its spot in the Southern Division 1 grand final. Nick Corp booted six goals in the Vampires’ commanding 45-point win over Doveton at Ben Kavanagh Reserve, while Daniel Taberner was named best afield.
ULTIMA’S FAIRYTALE CONTINUES
Ultima’s dream turnaround of having gone from last in 2022 to the top of the ladder this year has another chapter. The Roos won through to the Golden Rivers league decider after beating Moulamein by 44 points.
CARNGHAM LINTON’S FAIRYTALE COMES TO AN END
The fairytale that is Carngham Linton in 2023 has come to a close. The Central Highlands league club’s season was ended by Bungaree with the Demons prevailing by 13 points. Inaccuracy came back to haunt Carngham Linton who kicked 8.18.
HEATHCOTE CLOSING IN ON FIRST FLAG SINCE 2010
Heathcote is through to the Heathcote District league grand final after claiming a thrilling 15-point victory over White Hills in the second semi-final. Corey Grindlay continued his impressive first season with the club in a best on ground performance which included five goals.
DRYSDALE CLOSER TO ENDING THE DROUGHT
Drysdale is into its first BFL grand final in a decade after finally beating regular season nemesis Barwon Heads by nine points in a thriller at Grinter Reserve. The Seagulls had numerous chances to ice the preliminary final in the dying stages – as Sam Baker kicked two clutch goals – but could not provide the knockout punch. Small forward Jake Hargreaves bobbed up to kick two late majors to hand the Hawks a grand final berth, winning 10.7 (67) to 8.10 (58).
How proud Panthers can build from grand final heartbreak
Departing East Malvern coach Mick Rossborough has detailed what he said to his side after it’s brave grand final defeat and where he thinks the Panthers can improve in 2025.
Hawks and ‘the hard way’: Promotion at last for triple-premiership power
It has won it three times in the same tier of competition, but at long last, Boronia has earned promotion after another Division 2 grand final triumph on Sunday.