Your local and country footy grand final wrap

Local footy grand finals were highlighted by stunning performances from ex-AFL names and even a state cricketer. Here’s a full wrap from across Victoria.

Wet and wild conditions greeted footballers as teams played off for grand final glory on Saturday.

Some teams tasted the ultimate glory while others failed at the final hurdle.

Here are the talking points from the day.

MITCHAM ON TOP AGAIN

It has cemented itself as one of local football’s most successful clubs of the past decade. Mitcham has romped to a fourth premiership in nine years – and a second consecutive flag – with an 8.7 (55) to 2.3 (15) victory over Park Orchards in the Eastern league Division 1 grand final on Saturday. Mitcham was denied promotion to the top tier of competition after its Division 1 flag last year, owing to a league restructure – but Saturday’s triumph has sealed its return to the Premier Division for the first time since 2006.

The premiership victory also marks long-serving Mitcham coach Neil Winterton’s fourth in charge, having now taken the Tigers from Division 3 to the top.

Meanwhile, East Ringwood is through to its first top-division decider since 2002 after defeating reigning premier Rowville in Saturday’s Premier Division preliminary final, 8.12 (60) to 3.6 (24).

East Ringwood will play Balwyn in the Premier Division grand final at Bayswater Oval next Saturday.

LIONS ROAR

Maribyrnong Park has roared back into EDFL Premier Division with a 59-point win over West Coburg. The Lions kicked away in the last quarter of the Division 1 decider after a hard fought opening three quarters. James Kayrooz was named best on ground. Lachie Plowman, Brodie Romensky and Lucas Edmonds among the best.

Maribyrnong Park celebrate. Picture: Andrew Batsch

REDEMPTION FOR BEENA

Murrumbeena’s redemption arc is complete. The Lions have lifted the Southern league Division 2 premiership cup after successive grand final heartbreaks. Beena blitzed East Malvern with a seven-goal second term to storm out to a match-defining lead. The Lions clinched the 13.9 (87) to 9.5 (59) victory in front of a heavy contingent of supporters. Midfielder Sam Michael had the footy on a string all day but it was three goals from dynamite small forward Dareo Rogers which ultimately won the approval of the umpires for best afield.

MORANG TO THE TOP

South Morang is heading to Northern Division 1 after claiming the Division 2 premiership on Saturday. The Lions claimed a six-point victory over Diamond Creek at a rainswept Preston City Oval. In a heart-stopping finish, Morang led by as much as 37 points early in the fourth quarter before the Creekers launched a blistering late surge. However, its nerve to win 10.5 (65) to 8.11 (59). Nathan Stefanile was colossal in the ruck and awarded the grand final medal, while Josh D’Intinosante booted four goals and captain Tye Hall was immense in the second half. It was a double celebration for the club, also claiming the reserve grade flag. However, it was heartbreak again for Diamond Creek, a second straight senior grand final defeat, while the reserves also lost.

South Morang celebrate in the rooms. Picture: Andrew Batsch

TIPPA THE PREMIERSHIP HERO

Former Essendon livewire forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is a premiership winner after Imperials defeated Wentworth in the Sunraysia grand final. The Imps completed a dream season going from bottom last year to top this year, winning by six points over the Kangaroos. In a close contest all day, with nothing separating the two teams for four quarters, Imperials was able to get on top in the final term, kicking two goals to one to win. Imperials only lost one game on their way to the title. It is the clubs first premiership since 2013.

BLOODS END DROUGHT

Healesville won its first premiership in eight years with a comprehensive 52-point triumph over Warburton Millgrove in Saturday’s Outer East league Division 1 grand final. The Bloods led all day in front of a big crowd at Woori Yallock, with a three-goal-to-one first half setting up the club’s first flag since 2016, 9.9 (63) to 1.5 (11). Former North Melbourne and Collingwood player Levi Greenwood won the medal for best-on-ground after inspiring Healesville with a dominant display in the midfield. Ex-AFL Kangaroo and Tiger Aaron Edwards booted a game-high three goals for the winners. Healesville coach Ryan Webster, in his second season at the helm, said the win capped an outstanding 15-3 season after the Bloods fell short in the preliminary final last year. “It’s been a fun season, we knew what we had to do, we kept it simple,’’ he said.

Daylesford celebrate their Centrals Highlands premiership.

DOGGIES HAVE THEIR DAY

Former Victorian opener and Sheffield Shield winner Travis Dean has helped Daylesford end a 12-year drought to win the Central Highlands league premiership. In a match dictated by a strong wind to one side, the Bulldogs made best use of it, kicking five goals to one in the opening three terms to open up a 27-point lead at the final break. Despite Bungaree having the breeze in the final term, the Demons couldn’t overcome the margin as the Bulldogs kicked two late goals to end the contest. Daylesford won by 27 points.Showing he isn’t just a talented cricketer, Dean was also named best on ground for the Bulldogs. For Bungaree it was their first grand final in 10 years and first since their club legend, Danny Frawley, died in 2019.

ELSTERNWICK WIN THE FLAG

Despite kicking 4.17, Elsternwick claimed the VAFA Division 2 flag over Brunswick. Between them, the two sides kicked just one goal after the main break. It was a stunning result for the Wickers who beat Brunswick twice during the final series to triumph. During the season, Elsternwick lost on both occasions to the minor premiers.

Elsternwick has climbed to Division 1.

ALBION MISS AT FINAL HURDLE

Albion’s quest for a perfect season has been halted by Sunshine who stunned the opposition to win the WFNL Division 2 flag. The Roos led all day to hold on for a seven-point win. It was a dominant day for Sunshine who also won the reserves and under-18s deciders.

PRAHRAN BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUES

Prahran celebrated its return to the VAFA’s Premier competitions with victory against Parkside in the Division 1 decider. The minor premier was able to make the most of its opposition’s inaccuracy.

FROM FOURTH TO FIRST

Thomson has roared to a GDFNL premiership with a 54-point thumping of Belmont. The Tigers booted nine goals to two in the second half to come away with the trophy. Darcy Troop made the most of his chances with four goals to win the best on ground medal.

SECOND CHANCE SALOON

Dingley has booked itself a second chance at Cheltenham after holding off St Paul’s McKinnon in Saturday’s Southern Division 1 preliminary final. The Dingoes, who lost to the Rosellas by one point last weekend, overcame the Doggies for the second time this finals series, 4.14 (38) to 3.6 (24). Caleb Lewis (one goal) was a focal point all day for the victors. The Rosellas and Dingoes last met in a thrilling grand final in 2019.

MARONG GO THREE IN A ROW

Marong secured its third straight Loddon Valley league premiership after beating Pyramid Hill by 36 points. Jimmy Gadsden, Matthew Riordan and Jonty Davis were among the best. Pyramid Hill’s 74-year premiership drought goes on.

IRELAND LEADS BULN BULN

Buln Buln is celebrating the Ellinbank and District flag after a 32-point win over Ellinbank. Patrick Ireland starred with four goals while Riley Rundell, Rob McCallum and Jake Herbel also impressed.

HARROW BALMORAL COMPLETE PERFECT SEASON

Harrow Balmoral are the kings of the Horsham and District league again. The Roos ran out 13-point winners against Noradjuha Quantong with Nick Pekin named best on ground.

Nick Pekin was named best afield for Harrow Balmoral.

FISH CREEK WIN, AGAIN

Fish Creek is celebrating its 38th premiership after coming from behind to knock off Yinnar. It’s a remarkable second straight flag for a side who were devastated when their clubrooms burnt down last year after the success.

NAR NAR GOON RISE

100 years on from winning their first flag, Nar Nar Goon has celebrated success in the West Gippsland league. Justin Stanton’s side got the better of Phillip Island.

MURCHISON TOOLAMBA STORM HOME

After an even first half, Murchison Toolamba ran away to a 47-point Kyabram District league decider win over Shepparton East with Andrew Lloyd best afield.

JENKINS WINS A SECOND TIGERS FLAG

Former AFL player Josh Jenkins is a two-time premier at Sea Lake Nandaly after the Tigers won back-to-back North Central titles. The Tiger defeated an inaccurate Birchip-Watchem to win by 13 points. Jenkins kicked one goal for the match which saw only 11 goals kicked.

NATTE BEALIBA’S DOMINANCE

Natte Bealiba secured the Maryborough Castlemaine District premiership with a 79-point thumping of Trentham. Will Cameron was best afield.

Natte Bealiba was dominant in the grand final.

WILDCATS ROAR

The Woodside Wildcats ended their 16-year premiership drought with a come from behind win against TTU.

BOMBERS FLY UP

Penshurst has celebrated its 150th birthday style, claiming the Mininera District league title. The Bombers came back from 15 points down at the final change to overcome Wickliffe/Lake Bolac by five points. Former SANFL player, Josh Rentsch, who won the league’s best and fairest, was the best player for the Bombers on the day. It is the club’s 12th premiership in the competition and first since 2012.

YACKANDANDAH ENDS 24-YEAR DROUGHT

Yackandandah has ended its two decade long drought for a flag with a stunning win over Chiltern in the Tallangatta and District league, winning by 24 points.

NO MORE BLUES

Greta won its first premiership this millennium, beating Bright in the Ovens and King grand final. The side claimed their first title since 1999 with a 68-point win. The team lost one game all year to claim the crown, it’s 10th premiership in the league.