Everything you need to know about local and country footy grand finals

It’s grand final weekend right across the state for a number of local footy competitions. Here’s all the games to look out for and the players who could make a difference.

It’s the final weekend of the local and country footy season.

Heroes will be made and history written as local footy competitions across Victoria host their respective grand finals on Saturday and Sunday.

There are a number of storylines to follow throughout the day with special individuals on display across the state.

Here’s a look at every game and the key players in each.

METRO

ESSENDON DISTRICT

Premier Division: Keilor v Strathmore at Windy Hill, Saturday, 2.15pm

Keilor — Corey Ellis: Returned to the club at the start of the season and has been sensational. Was best on ground in the second semi-final.

Strathmore — Tom Condon: Will need to hit the scoreboard if his side are to taste back-to-back premiership success.

Mick McGuane coach of Keilor.Picture: Hamish Blair

NORTHERN

Division 1: Heidelberg v Bundoora at Preston City Oval, Saturday, 2.30pm

Heidelberg — Tom Sullivan: A matchwinner at either end of the ground, Sullivan is a major weapon for Tigers coach Vinny Dattoli.

Bundoora — Kyle Green: All eyes will be on Bundoora’s talls, Shaun McKernan, John Jorgensen and Peter McEvoy, but when the ball hits the ground who’s there. Green has to have a big game on Saturday for the Bulls to have a chance of victory.

OUTER EAST

Premier Division: Narre Warren v Wandin at Officer, Saturday, 2.20pm

Narre Warren – Peter Gentile: The Northern Bullants VFL listed player will add experience and class to a stacked Narre Warren engine room.

Wandin – Joel Garner: The ex-AFL Power forward has kicked 21 goals in seven games for Wandin this season and looms as a matchwinner.

Marc Holt – Cranbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

SOUTHERN

Division 1: Cranbourne v Cheltenham at RSEA Park, Saturday, 2.15pm

Cranbourne — Marc Holt: Cranbourne looks for him at almost every forward entry and it’s clear why. If Holt kicks four or more, it’s hard to see the Eagles losing.

Cheltenham — Ollie Moran: The dynamic midfielder will have a huge role to play pushing both ways in an important midfield battle. He won’t shy away from the physical stuff early on.

VAFA

Premier: Collegians v St Kevin’s at Elsternwick Park, Sunday 2.30pm

Collegians — Kenny Ong: One of the best local footballers going around. Should be a huge performance from this man.

St Kevin’s — Mitch Wallis: The ex-AFL man has been pivotal to SKOB’s form throughout the finals. Does he have one more big performance in him?

St Bernard's coach Steven Alessio. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Premier B: St Bernard’s v Fitzroy at Elsternwick Park, Saturday, 2.30pm

St Bernard’s — Ben Huggard: Fresh off winning the league best-and-fairest, the Snowdogs star shapes as a matchwinner for his side.

Fitzroy — Ted Clayton: As hard as they come at the footy. Expect him to be a tone setter for Fitzroy.

Premier C: Old Ivanhoe Grammarians v Old Camberwell Grammarians at Trevor Barker Oval, Saturday, 2.30pm

Old Ivanhoe — Patrick Naish: The former Richmond player has been nothing short of sensational this season. One of the leading ball winners in the division.

Old Camberwell — Riley Verbi: One of the leading midfielders for his side this season. Can find plenty of the footy.

COUNTRY

Ballarat: Darley v North Ballarat at City Oval, Ballarat, Saturday, 2.30pm

Darley — Brett Bewley: Brett Bewley: Many consider him the BFL’s best player. Former Fremantle player who has match winning talents.

North Ballarat — Riley Polkinghorne: Member of a family who has produced a host of North Ballarat stars. The midfielder has been in the best 14 times in 2023.

Bendigo: Golden Square v Sandhurst at Queen Elizabeth Oval, Bendigo, Saturday, 2.20pm

Golden Square — Tom Toma: Dual club best and fairest whose return from Cohuna has delivered a boost to the midfield and scoring power sought.

Sandhurst — Sam Conforti: Spent a large part of season with Essendon’s VFL team before returning home. Has a touch of class.

Jydon Neagle and Balranald take on Kerang. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Central Murray: Balranald v Kerang at Swan Hill Recreation Reserve, Saturday, 2.45pm

Balranald — Matt Neagle: Starred in the second semi-final after playing for Central Districts in the SANFL last year.

Kerang — Josh Nitschke: Captain who plays in the midfield was best-on-ground in last year’s grand final.

Geelong: South Barwon v Leopold at Leopold Memorial Park, Saturday, 2.10pm

South Barwon — Fraser Fort: Ultimate utility player with SANFL experience who can plug holes all over the ground.

Leopold — Tevan Nofi: The GFL’s best intercept mark. Will be called upon to limit the impact of South Barwon’s damaging forwards.

Wonthaggi's Ryan Sparkes. Picture: Daniel Heathcote (supplied)

Gippsland: Wonthaggi v Leongatha at Morwell Recreation Reserve, Saturday, 2.30pm

Wonthaggi — Ryan Sparkes: Dynamic midfielder who backed up a great debut season last year with an even better 2023.

Leongatha — Cam Olden: Played 14 games for Richmond VFL this season. Booted eight goals in qualifying final win against Moe.

Goulburn Valley: Echuca v Kyabram at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton, Sunday, 2.40pm

Echuca — Sam Reid: Injuries reduced him to only eight games last season, but he has been a dominant player in 2023 in any role required. Starred in the second semi with four goals.

Kyabram — Anthony DePasquale: Kicked goals when others couldn’t in preliminary final and will need to make a similar contribution if Kyabram is to cause upset.

Echuca and Kyabram will do battle again. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Hampden: South Warrnambool v North Warrnambool at Reid Oval, Warrnambool, Saturday, 2pm

South Warrnambool — Archie Stevens: Regular with Carlton VFL side until injuring his foot and starred in his first match since June in the second semi-final win over North.

North Warrnambool — Jett Bermingham: 2021 Maskell Medal winner brings a touch of class to everything he does in Eagles’ midfield.

Ovens and Murray: Yarrawonga v Albury at Lavington Sports Ground, Sunday, 2.30pm

Yarrawonga — Willie Wheeler: Former VFL star who was injured most of last season, but has been a star all year.

Albury — Isaac Muller: His recruitment from Wodonga Raiders was a major talking point and will need to play a big one if Albury is to win.