Check out all the highlights as local footy finals heat up and premierships are won

Two major premiership droughts ended with a host of clubs book grand final berths on a bumper Saturday of local footy. Check out all the big winners here.

Omeo-Benambra celebrates its Omeo District premiership. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Local footy finals are heating up.

Around Melbourne and across Victoria there were some cracking games of footy and bumper crowds.

Two premiership droughts ended, while a host of clubs book grand final tickets.

Check out all the highlights - and some cracking pictures - from a big Saturday below.

Omeo-Benambra’s Cody Graske tries to fend off Swifts Creek captain Nathan Hayes. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

RANGES’ 17-YEAR DROUGHT ENDS

Omeo-Benambra won its first Omeo District flag since 2007 with a crushing win over Swifts Creek on Saturday. in grand final at Swan Reach. The Ranges’ 16.9 (105) to 4.5 (29) grand final triumph at Swan Reach avenges last year’s defeat to the Demons. Omeo-Benambra spearhead Harry Warfe was awarded the AFL Victoria Medal for best-on-ground, kicking three goals, but fellow forward James Gibbs was even more damaging with five. Cody Graske also kicked three majors for the victors. Strong winds played havoc for both teams but Omeo-Benambra put the result beyond doubt with a nine-goal blitz after half-time, turning a 20-point lead into a 10-goal cushion at three-quarter-time. Captain Jordan Robertson provided constant drive off half-back and onballer Ross Ansaldi was a star at the coalface. Swifts Creek suffered a series of injury setbacks with Brodie Cameron, Daniel O’Brien and James Turner all finishing with shoulder injuries.

Omeo-Benambra convincing winners in Omeo District league grand final. Key forward James Gibbs the difference with 5 goals. ⁦@theweeklytimes⁩ ⁦@ctryfootyscores⁩ ⁦@GippslandFooty⁩ pic.twitter.com/cesL0pS8ko

— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) August 31, 2024

Swifts Creek’s Andrew Sandy wraps up William Cook of Omeo-Benambra. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Grand final medallist Harry Warfe (left) celebrates a goal with Cody Graske. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Omeo-Benambra’s James Gibbs flies for a mark. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

MITCHAM EYEING BACK-TO-BACK

A mesmerising eight-goal final-quarter comeback sees Mitcham return to the Eastern Division 1 grand final. The Tigers, looking to go back-to-back this season, trailed minor premier Park Orchards by 24 points at three-quarter-time in their major semi-final at Tormore Reserve on Saturday. Mitcham had kicked just two goals in three quarters before slamming on eight goals to nil to secure a 28-point triumph, 10.11 (71) to 6.7 (43) triumph. The Sharks will face either South Belgrave or Beaconsfield in the preliminary final next week.

HAMMERS DO THE DOUBLE

After dropping two divisions a few years ago and barely able to field teams, Hampton is celebrating two famous victories. Coached by Norm Smith Medallist Shannon Grant, the Hammers claimed the Southern Division 4 premiership with a 8.12 (60) to 5.9 (39) triumph over Hallam, the club’s first flag since 2010. Trailing by six points at half-time, Hampton took control in the second half with six goals to two. It capped a historic day for the club after the reserves claimed a heart-stopping three-point premiership win over Lyndale earlier in the day.

Hampton co-captains Leo Grenville and Corey Smith and coach Shannon Grant celebrate the SFNL Division 4 premiership victory. Picture: Valeriu Campan

MORANG STORMS INTO GRAND FINAL

South Morang’s staggering rise up the Northern ranks continues with a thrilling five-point victory over minor premier Whittlesea on Saturday. The Lions were Division 3 premiers in 2022 and are now into the Division 2 grand final after a 12.10 (82) to 11.11 (77) semi-final victory at Epping Reserve. The hero in extra-time last week, Josh Lansfield starred again with five goals, while Tye Hall, Nathan Stefanile and Paul Sidhu also impressed. The Eagles, who lost just one game this year, now play for survival in next week’s preliminary final against either Diamond Creek or Lower Plenty.

BAMBIL BACK ON TOP

There is no stopping Bambill in the Millewa league. The club won its fourth straight premiership in the competition with a 55-point win over Cardross at Lake Cullulleraine Oval on Saturday. The Saints were the red-hot favourites heading into the contest after winning 11-straight matches. Bambill has now won 30 premierships in the competition, including seven of the past nine.

Pascoe Vale’s Adam Figliola celebrates a goal. Picture: Andy Brownbill

PANTHERS’ IMPRESS

Pascoe Vale has earned the right to play Keilor for a place in the EDFL Premier Division grand final after overcoming Strathmore by 65 points in the qualifying final. After leading by 11 points at the main break, the Panthers ran away with the contest after half-time at Greenvale Reserve. Adam Figliola bagged three goals, while Ben Allan was named the Panthers’ best alongside Sebastian Carta, Carled El Khodr and Jared Eckersley. Strathmore will look to bounce back against either Aberfeldie or Greenvale.

ROVERS WIN BRAGGING RIGHTS

Wangaratta Rovers will face Yarrawonga for a spot in the Ovens and Murray grand final next week after smashing rivals Wangaratta Magpies by 44 points. In the first finals contest between the two since 1989 it was a one-sided contest with Rovers getting on top early and never being threatened. Rovers captain Alexander Marlow kicked three goals in the win.

Dingley’s Josh Ferguson is wrapped up by Brad Dolan of St Paul’s McKinnon. Picture: Valeriu Campan

DINGOES QUADRUPLE SCORE IN COMEBACK

Dingley is one win away from another Southern Division 1 grand final after it ran over the top of St Paul’s McKinnon on Saturday. The Dingoes were down by seven points at three-quarter-time in their qualifying final at RSEA Park, with just two goals in the board. However, they rattled off six goals to one in the final term to win, 8.11 (59) to 4.9 (33). The league’s top goal kicker, Caleb Lewis, kicked three of the Dingoes’ final-quarter goals. Dingley now takes on arch-nemesis Cheltenham for a place in the grand final, while St Paul’s McKinnon will play the winner of Cranbourne and Springvale Districts.

TREMENDOUS TIGERS

Dromana blasted into its second successive Mornington Peninsula Division 1 grand final after thrashing Frankston YCW in Saturday’s second semi-final. The Tigers kicked seven goals in the second quarter to set up their 27.12 (114) to 5.5 (35) win at Olympic Park. Dromana captain Billy Quigley led by example, kicking three goals, in a best-on-ground display while Matthew Gahan and Luke Oborn were superb. Frankston YCW will look to bounce back against either Mt Eliza or Rosebud in the preliminary final.

Riddell and Wallan players fly for the ball. Picture: Andy Brownbill

RIDDELL RETURNS TO BIG STAGE

Minor premier Riddell has marched straight through to the RDFNL grand final with a 35-point victory over Wallan at Romsey Park. In difficult conditions, scores were 2.8 to 2.2 at three-quarter-time, the Bombers found another gear in the final term, piling on six goals to one. Matthew Darby was the only multiple goalkicker in the 8.10 (58) to 3.5 (23) win, while Jacob Chahine, Brodie Miller and Ben Sonogan played key roles. Ex-AFL man Jake Carlisle was Wallan’s best and the Magpies will face either Diggers Rest or Macedon in the preliminary final.

FIRST VAFA GRAND FINALISTS DECIDED

Prahran is through to the VAFA Division 1 decider after a 60-point drubbing of Parkside on Saturday. Shaun Chapman was influential with three goals while Joel Hume snagged two. In Division 2, Elsternwick knocked off minor premier Brunswick by 12 points to move through to the grand final and also earn promotion.

CAROLINE SPRINGS WIN A THRILLER

Brian Lake’s Caroline Springs will have the opportunity to win through to the WFNL Division 1 grand final after beating Yarraville Seddon by a single point on Saturday. The Lakers led by 14 points at three-quarter-time in the qualifying final at Williamstown and had to hold off a rampant Eagles comeback to set up a semi-final clash with minor premier Werribee Districts. Billy Crofts, Mitchell Bongiovanni and Oliver Murray were best for Caroline Springs. Yarraville Seddon will face either Altona or Hoppers Crossing.

Ben Evans celebrates a goal for Belmont earlier this year. Picture: Alan Barber

LIONS ONE STEP CLOSER TO FAIRYTALE

After finishing ninth last year with just six wins, Belmont Lions have stunned the competition by reaching the Geelong District grand final. The Lions knocked off Werribee Centrals in the qualifying final before upsetting minor premier East Geelong with a miraculous 33-point turnaround on Saturday. Trailing by 22-points at quarter-time, the miserly Lions conceded just one goal for the rest of the match and piled on five goals to none in the final term to win 8.9 (57) to 5.7 (37). David Allitt was the hero for the Lions with the first three goals of the final term.

MOVEMENT APLENTY IN THE VAFA

The penultimate round of the VAFA Premier men’s season had it all. Collegians jumped into the top-four at the expense of Old Xaverians. Meanwhile, Old Scotch’s loss to Collegians, allowed St Kevin’s to jump into second and set up a final round showdown with ladder leader Old Brighton, aiming to keep its double chance alive.

BLOODS BOUNCE BACK

Melton has come back twice to knock off East Point and move one game closer to the Ballarat league grand final. Down by 23 points at quarter-time and 14 at the final break the Bloods stormed home to beat the Kangaroos by 12 points. Conrad Farrugia and Jordan Kight both kicked three goals.

MONTY CONQUERS DOGS, PRESTON

Montmorency has set up a blockbuster Northern Division 1 semi-final against Heidelberg after edging North Heidelberg by 19 points at Preston City Oval on Saturday. A rare win at the home of NFNL finals could be the inspiration the Magpies need to end their premiership drought. Three goals against the wind in the second term proved the difference in the 9.14 (68) to 7.7 (49) triumph. Skipper Stef Uzelac was best afield in the win, along with Connor Kane, Marcus Lentini and Braedyn Gillard. North Heidelberg will look to respond against either Hurstbridge or Greensborough.

MARIBYRNONG PARK POUNCES

Maribyrnong Park became the first side through to the EDFL Division 1 grand final after making the most of a wildly inaccurate West Coburg. The Lions won 11.8 (74) to 5.20 (50) at Joe Brown Oval. West Coburg will be ruing the first quarter in particular where it kicked 0.12.

CHELSEA HITS TON

Chelsea is through to the Mornington Peninsula Division 2 grand final after a thumping 103-point victory over Somerville in Saturday’s preliminary final. The Seagulls showed no mercy at RJ Rowley Reserve, winning 22.7 (139) to 4.12 (36). Anthony Beale booted four goals in the rout, while Jesse Davies and Jack Francis both bagged three. Jordan Kelly, Francis and Jack Wallace were best afield. Chelsea sets up a rematch with minor premier Edithvale-Aspindale, which claimed a 23-point win in the major semi-final.