Division One Grand Finals, Premier Division Prelims

THE FOOTBALLER DIVISION ONE GRAND FINALS PREMIER PRELIMINARY FINALS

September 13-14, 2025

CONTENTS

6 Men’s Division Two Review 10 Men’s Division One 20 Team of the Year 22 Men’s Premier Division 32 Strathmore Feature

PG.6

PG.12

PG.22

EDITOR & DESIGNER

PARTNERSHIPS

CONTRIBUTORS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Eli Duxson

Luke D’Anello, Luke Mathews, Ben Parker, Evan Tudor

Duncan Seller

All images supplied by Sporting Moments by Shaun

By Evan Tudor

RUPO SNAGS MAIDEN EDFL SENIOR FLAG IN THRILLER Rupertswood claimed its first piece of senior EDFL silverware after a thrilling three-point victory over Westmeadows in the Strathmore Community Bank Division Two grand final.

In front of a huge crowd packing the stands and surrounds at Highgate Recreation Reserve, both sides put on a show to remember.

The Sharks opened the contest hard and fast, with their leading goalkicker Fraser PhelanSmith striking first blood in the opening minutes.

Jackson Pranauskas backed this up with the side’s second goal moments later to extend the lead, proving the Sharks were unfazed kicking against a strong wind.

Westmeadows were unable to capitalise as much as they would’ve liked in the opening term, with strong tackling all round by Rupo preventing them from better-utilising forward 50 entries.

The Tigers were just on three behinds 10 minutes into the decider, but a long and effective kick from the boot of Ryan Capron set Mitch Church up to break the goal drought.

Tiger Harley Gleeson snagged the second for his side after a 50-metre penalty saw him launch the kick from 50.

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Daniel Spencer, Aaron Evans, and Rupo’s Matt McDonald were also some key figures in that opening term.

Westy’s Capron was all over the ball wherever you looked in the first 30 minutes with 12 disposals contributing to his match-total of 25 and the Ian Price Medal for best on ground.

The Tigers took a three-point lead at the first change, but it didn’t come easily. With the wind behind them, they would’ve been further in front had they been more accurate.

It was a fast and furious second quarter for both Westy and Rupo as they sought to edge closer towards ownership of the premiership cup.

It was becoming clear that Rupertswood was gaining the advantage over Westy, but the Tigers did not give up through it all.

The Sharks were just too good at preventing their opposition from breaking out. Jackson Cardillo contributed to this with his 12 tackles laid throughout the day.

In the ruck we saw Michael Mayne and Daniel Kavanagh go head to head at nearly every ball up and throw in.

Mayne was performing well in the ruck and was able to start some fast ball movement for his side.

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RUPO SNAGS MAIDEN EDFL SENIOR FLAG IN THRILLER

The siren for the main break sounded to see Rupertswood up by seven points, but it should’ve been higher after some wasted opportunities saw them not use the wind to their full potential.

The third quarter was when things started to get interesting for everyone on and around the ground.

Westy struck first through Church before some of Rupo’s key men in Pranauskas and James Fox slotted goals to send the Sharks up by 13.

But that’s when the Tigers put pedal to the metal and started to attack their forward 50.

While there weren’t goals immediately flowing for the trailing Tigers, you could tell something was starting to brew and this game was getting interesting.

Korey Flavel-Wood and Shaun O'Grady booted one each in the latter stage of the term and gave Westmeadows some sense of belief and a one-point lead at the final change.

Westmeadows dominated the early stages of the final term with Hugo Jenkins and Jordan Kosteas being among the standouts when applying pressure and marking.

There were joyous scenes for the victorious Rupertswood as they hoisted the premiership cup at the conclusion of a stellar year.

The Sharks will be back in Strathmore Community Bank Division One next year.

It’s a level of football they all know well having played there from 2021 to 2024.

The Tigers will feel the effects of this second consecutive grand final loss, but they should hold their heads high knowing that they were one of the most entertaining teams all season and such a dynamic force in this competition.

We all know they are capable of big things and will be eager to make amends in 2026 with a stunning talent line paving the way.

That’s a wrap on Strathmore Community Bank Division Two football for 2025, what a season it has been.

It has been one of the closest seasons in any EDFL senior level, and what has been produced from Round 1 to the grand final truly is a testament to this.

See you next year!

Jenkins accelerated and snapped to teammate Evans who went on to kick a goal and extend the lead to seven.

Ryan Stingel added quickly with a goal from an angle to take it to a 13-point lead. It seemed as if Rupertswood were unable to keep up.

But it was Mitchell Johnston who rose to the occasion for Rupo late into the match and kicked a goal for a six-point margin.

The energy continued for the Sharks, whose attempt to tie things up moments later was denied by a strong Michael Portelli mark.

Portelli had been a stunning ball-controller throughout the contest with six marks.

A couple of behinds later for Rupertswood and a goal kicked by a running Clayton Bonello saw Rupertswood over the line to win the 2025 premiership by three.

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By Ben Parker

GRAND FINAL PREVIEW Oak Park and Hillside will go to battle in this week’s Strathmore Community Bank Division One grand final at Coburg City Oval.

Oak Park has now already beaten Hillside three times this season, with the Roos claiming both of their in-season clashes.

In what promises to be quite the spectacle, there’s no doubt this mouth-watering matchup features the two best sides of 2025.

The slate is wiped completely clean this week though, with just one win all that matters for both sides.

The minor premiers, Oak Park, are one win away from capping off what has been a remarkable season and making their longawaited return to the top division.

Hillside on the other hand, are looking to move up into the top flight for the first time in club history.

In just their second season back in Division One, the Kangaroos are shooting for their second premiership in three years and are firmly in the box seat to do this.

Fifteen wins and just the three losses in season 2025 was an impressive effort from these Roos, but what was perhaps even more convincing was the way they dismantled their opponents in the Sharks, two weeks back.

Hillside earned their chance to play the Roos in the qualifying semi final after putting pay to West Coburg in week one of the finals, but were dealt a harsh blow from the minor premiers on this particular day.

After an even first half of football, the Roos produced six unanswered goals in the third, to which the Sharks could not recover from.

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The Sharks have not tasted premiership success since 2013 and have been a pillar of the Division One competition since then.

After an uncharacteristic start to the season where they tasted defeat in the opening three rounds, these Sharks have bounced back and are looking to cause a boil over this week.

They finished the season in third position on the ladder, with 12 wins and six losses, but critically, they won 12 out of their last 15 matches and came into the finals as one of the more dangerous, in-form sides.

After going down to their opponents here two weeks ago, the Sharks rallied back last week to glide past Craigieburn by 59 points and book their ticket to the big dance.

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SCB DIVISION ONE GRAND FINAL PREVIEW

WHERE WILL THE GAME BE WON? Oak Park are the number one ranked team in the competition for loose ball gets, with 61 a game, and this could prove to be a winning factor on the weekend.

Their ability to turn up to contest ahead of their opponents and then support in numbers has been a trademark of their season so far.

The Sharks must break even in this facet of the game if they are to be a winning chance.

On the other hand, Hillside’s strength lies in their ball movement off intercept possessions.

The Sharks sit at the top of the competition for intercept possessions, with 71 per game, and rely on this area of their game to kickstart their ball movement and launch into offense.

THE KANGAROOS THAT COULD SKIP AWAY Oak Park big man Josh Hotchkin is the one to keep an eye on from a Roos perspective.

He is often the one kick-starting the Sharks' offense and is brilliant at taking off as soon as the footy hits his hands.

And of course, all eyes will be on star-forward Josh Covelli this week as he closes in on the magical 100-goal mark.

The seasoned but ever-so-dangerous key forward sits on 98 goals for the season so far and is inches away from achieving back-toback triple figure seasons.

It’s set to be a sensational spectacle at Coburg City Oval if Covelli is to achieve this.

THE FINAL HURDLE The last day of the Strathmore Community Bank Men’s Division One season promises to be an epic.

In what is shaping to be quite the spectacle for a number of reasons, one thing is for sure – one of these teams is about to punch their ticket into the top flight of EDFL football.

In his first season back at the club since crossing over from Aberfeldie, Hotchkin has been a brute force in the ruck for 2025.

He was brilliant in their win over the Sharks two weeks ago with 24 disposals, 65 hit outs, and 11 clearances, and will no doubt look to make his presence felt early here.

Another one that could break this game open is young gun Paul Pascu.

Pascu is a strong, big-bodied inside midfielder who pushes forward when the Roos are in need of some dynamite in front of the sticks.

One of the hardest players in the competition to tackle, his strength and power is made for big games, and they don’t come bigger than this.

THE CIRCLING SHARKS TO WATCH Youngster Nick Fluke has been elite in the intercepting area for the Sharks.

Fluke is a strong, medium-sized defender who accumulates the most intercept possessions a game for the entire competition with an average of eight per outing.

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UNDER 18.5 DIVISION ONE GRAND FINAL

MOONEE VALLEY President: Michael Milne Coach: Adam De Pasquale

HADFIELD

President: Alan Kerr Coach: Marae Moustafa

1 Zac Nilsson

1 Mousa Said

2 Robbie Steindl

2 Ali Seifeddine

3 Zac Farfalla

3 Otif Moustafa

4 Owen Winkle

4 Adem Taleb

5 James Mamo

5 Moussa Mourad

6 Robert Lumsden

6 Samir Mohamad

7 Zac Merhi

8 Omar Said

8 Archer Carlton

9 Dawoud Said

9 Cristian Athanasopolous

10 zein taleb

10 Andrew Kelly

12 Ishaq Taha

11 Lachlan Larobina

14 Ronan Rousakis

12 Mo Kassab

15 Mahammed Ali

13 Matthew Rumoro

16 Humza Moustafa

14 Jack Kalic

19 Ali Mustafa

16 Coen McGrath

21 Zach Hildebrandt

17 Matthew Di Qual

23 Noah Hussein

18 Blake Ward

25 Ahmed Taha

19 Jethro Lalor

30 Luke Ceddia

20 Ahmaad Taleb

40 Adham Taleb

21 Luka Anderson

42 Mohammed Mustapha

23 Divjot Singh

71 Tarek Hussein

27 Oscar Lock

77 Saad Mostapha

29 Christian Russo 32 Hugh Sharples 33 Boston Young 34 Xavier Lalor 45 Max Mahoney

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Official sponsors of the Essendon District Football League

RESERVES DIVISION ONE GRAND FINAL

HILLSIDE

President: Lindon Way Coach: Julian Di Pasquale

1 Jayden Murdoch

MOONEE VALLEY President: Michael Milne Coach: Tom Wilson

3 Blake Townsend-Booth

2 Tyson Gill

4 Jai Anderson

3 Jackson Heidrich

10 Jack Noonan

6 Jack Bastas

11 Darcy Brooks

11 Hudson Shaw

13 George Koukounaras

12 Michael Deluca

15 Jacob Saccuti

13 Koby Young

20 James Scheriani

17 Andreas Vassilopoulos

22 Thomas Clark

21 Luke Sammut

27 Justin Lumsden

25 Ben Portelli

29 Jason Denny

27 Theo Peteinarias

30 Joshua Chiaramonte

30 Daniel Scerri

31 Adam Zanevra

31 Xavier Buccheri

37 Patrick White

32 Kelvin Knight

39 Jack Milne

33 Joseph Careless

41 Patrick O'Donoghue

37 Aiden Cassar

42 Joshua La Rocca

38 Drew Mason

43 William O'Connell

39 Joshua Williams

46 Matthew Ratcliffe

40 Nathan Davis

47 Will Pasinati

41 Andrew Salvatico

48 Benjamin Coote

42 Ethan Spiteri

51 Oliver Hutchesson

44 Mark Salvatico

57 Jordan La Rocca

46 Ryan Deppeler

60 Sam Desira

48 Fauzi Kaakour

61 Laurie Nichols

49 William Forsythe

63 Thomas Janetzki

50 Paris Grampsas

64 Luke Brock

51 Riley Way

65 Connor Ahern

85 George Fotiadis

70 Adam Russell 72 Michael Bourke 83 Jin Low

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STRATHMORE COMMUNITY BANK DIVISION ONE GRAND FINAL

OAK PARK

President: Tim Littlewood Coach: Todd Clark

HILLSIDE

President: Lindon Way Coach: Mo Kaakour

1 Daniel Rajab

1 Zak Wunhym

2 Joseph Townsend-Booth

2 Tyson Gill

3 Adam Del Busso

3 Lachlan Henson

8 Anthony Delorenzi

4 Lucas Failli

9 Jedd Taylor

5 Riley Miksa

10 Jesse Hotchkin

6 Robert Castello

11 Kane O’Halloran

7 Tristan Rudic

13 Bradley Cox

8 Noah Asciak

14 Rory MacGregor

10 Fortunato Caruso

15 Joshua Hotchkin

12 Gabriel Cristiano

16 Lachlan Ronaldson

16 Ryan Lojko

17 Michael Dalrymple

17 Natale Caruso

19 Mitchell Leathers

18 James McNaughton

22 Max Gleeson

19 Jack Tarr

23 Lachlan Stredwick

20 Lachlan Pettigrove

24 Joshua Ksiazek

22 Milad Almatrah

30 Daniel Brzezicki

23 Josh Covelli

31 Thomas Lay

24 Ryan Schiavone

33 Paul Pascu

25 Khalil Kaakour

35 Jack Pascu

27 Theo Peteinarias

37 Finn Dolan

32 Kelvin Knight

39 James McKay

35 Nicholas Karakyriakos

40 Thomas Gleeson

38 Jackson McMenamin

43 Owen Whelan

45 Jaksyn Grant

44 Errol Mcconnell

47 Sulaiman Elleissy

66 Jake Bushell

51 Jackson Heidrich

73 Will Owens

55 Nick Fluke

81 Archie Payne

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By Luke Mathews

PREMIER DIVISION PREVIEW

SCB PREMIER DIVISION PRELIMINARY FINAL PREVIEW Keilor and Airport West will play off for a spot in the grand final when they meet at Coburg City Oval on Sunday.

It’s been a remarkable five weeks for Brent Taylor’s side who have won their last five matches with the highlight being their victory after the siren against Aberfeldie.

Sunday’s clash will be the Eagles' first Premier Division preliminary final since 2013 with Brendan Godden and Clayton Rogers the only Eagles still on the list in 2025.

The Blues were left disappointed last Saturday when they were well beaten by a strong Strathmore outfit despite being on top of the ladder for the whole year.

Keilor found themselves in the same position 12 months ago when they lost the semi final to Pascoe Vale, but were able to turn things around and still win the premiership.

In their two meetings in 2025, Keilor won the Round 2 clash by 207 points and followed in up in Round 11 with a 49-point victory.

The Blues dominated every facet of the game in Round 2 and were clinical in front of the stick kicking 38.15 from 76 inside 50s.

Nick O’Kearney had no trouble finding the footy with 41 touches, while Chris Kosmas picked up 25 touches and kicked seven goals.

Despite being thrashed, Matthew Hanson had the most ranking points of the ground with 190 thanks to his 40 disposals and 25 contested possessions.

It was a much tighter affair in Round 11, however the Blues were still too good around contest and clearance.

Keilor were +25 in contested possession and +10 in clearances which led to 13.6 from stoppages, which made up over 70 per cent of their score.

Blair Wyllie and Kane Barbuto were both dominant kicking three goals each, while Corey Ellis finished with 27 touches and two goals.

Macumber and Joel Brown were also very good.

The deciding factor on Sunday will once again be the midfield battle.

Coach Mick McGuane said his men were clearly outplayed at contest last week and were not willing to compromise on what was expected from his side in that area this week.

The reigning premiers were found wanting in the third term giving up +13 in contested possessions and +7 in clearances which led to the Mores kicking nine goals in the third term.

The Blues will be hoping for a response from their stars who were down on their very high standards last Saturday.

For Airport West to win they’ll need to replicate what Strathmore did forward of the ball.

Keilor have the most dominant backline across the competition, however Strathmore challenged them like no other side has.

The Mores kicked 18.12 from their 60 inside 50s and were able to transition the ball with ease for most of the game.

The Eagles rely on their star-studded midfield for goals, however will need to move the ball with speed and hope their forward line can step up and make the most of their opportunities.

Max Rider has had a superb season to date with 58 goals from 18 matches, while Cooper Janevski has bobbed up to kick six goals in the two finals.

Both men will need to continue their hot form if the Eagles are any chance of causing another massive upset.

Selection will be an interesting watch with the Eagles' match winner Luca Muratore likely to be called back in to Footscray's side, but some big names for the Blues likely to be out as well.

Ned Gentile once again led from the front with 30 touches and two majors, while Thai

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UNDER 18.5 PREMIER RESERVES GRAND FINAL

MARIBYRNONG PARK 2 President: Greg Hughes Coach: Concesso De Pasquale

9 Will Gilpin

KEILOR 2

President: Shaun Morris Coach: Darren Milburn

1 Brody Tranquillo

14 Julian Russi

3 Joaquin Aclan

16 Kai Hutton

4 Noah Ion

17 Oliver Jordan

9 Jem Munir

20 Josh Bell

11 Luke Tavcar

21 Jack Sweatman

12 Benjamin Veal

26 Rowan Tonissen

13 Bailey Milburn

30 Ben Favolaro

15 Will Kerry

31 Joshua Coughlan

16 Jack Strudwicke

32 Louis Lees

17 Isaac Faure

33 Jesse Steel

19 Billy Thomas

38 Tom Milner

24 James Vella

39 Jayve Faustin

26 Lucas Paton

41 Sam Ford

28 Andres Fernandez

42 Liam Dwyer

33 Billy Darmanin

44 Devon Hug

34 Noah Grochowski

45 Riley Dougherty

35 Aydan Boyce

46 Dante Guzzardi

36 Joel Carbis

47 Eddie Bray

37 Eden Alikakos

49 Patrick Dent

38 Harry Blyth

50 Jake Ahrens

39 Archie Connell

51 Charlie Berger

42 Matthew Abed

52 Aidan Brophy

43 Aurelio Di Lizia

53 Xavier Huang

44 Joshua Serra

54 Antonio De Sousa

45 Carter McFayden

55 Archie Frazer

47 Jamie Mastrakoulis

57 Albey Berry

51 Archie Thompson

59 Ryker Liddle

52 Adam Kheir Beik

61 Hunter Holland

61 Ashton McMenamin

64 Hunter Carmody

88 Cameron Scheele

84 Noah Miller THE FOOTBALLER | essendondfl.com.au

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UNDER 18.5 PREMIER DIVISION PRELIMINARY FINAL

ESSENDONDOUTTASTARS President: Kirk Thompson Coach: Spencer Thompson

1 Joshua Whitfield

MARIBYRNONG PARK President: Greg Hughes Coach: Rocky Iannello

1 Tom Coughlan

2 Diesel Docherty

2 Samuel Day

3 Finn Daffey

4 Mitchell Iannello

4 Jake Filia

5 Nathan Evans

5 Keanu Kim

6 Nash McMahon

6 Ayden Diaz

8 Harry Fitzgerald

7 Lucas Bellino

10 Finn McAvoy

8 Alex Sikora

11 Angus Robinson

9 Will Ryan

13 Ned Kavanagh

10 Max Ibic

14 Julian Russi

12 Jesse Kirk

15 Cruz Young

11 Aiden Harris

16 Kai Hutton

13 Vaughn Murphy

17 Oliver Jordan

14 James Privitelli

18 Aaron Bruzanetti

15 Joshua Palmer

20 Joshua Bell

18 Leo Anderson

22 Luca Vella

20 Marlon Arhanic

24 Tobias Sutherland

21 Archer Beattie

25 Ben Kelly

22 Will Atkinson

26 Rowan Tonissen

26 Charlie Tudor

27 Matthew Clarke

27 Kruize Kim

28 Massimo Randello

31 Myles Luca

31 Joshua Coughlan

35 Daniel Sexton

32 Louis Lees

37 Joshua Falla

33 Jesse Steel

39 Lucas Myszka

34 Dante D'Ovidio

44 Dean Roumeliotis

35 Zane Raciti

46 Isa Merhi

36 Jack Avsar

47 Oscar Sampson

37 Peter Vassilakopoulos

55 Xavier Murphy

39 Mac Dullard 63 Kaiden Dimovski

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RESERVES PREMIER DIVISION PRELIMINARY FINAL

STRATHMORE

President: John Toniolo Coach: Mark Hassall

KEILOR

President: Shaun Morris Coach: Stephen Pace

9 Kade Mueller

2 James Veal

11 Andrew Galluci

4 Harry Withoos

15 Lucas Scerri

5 Nathan Ellis

18 Matthew Pellegrino

6 Mitchell Ellis

24 Brodie Hassall

9 Oskar Haintz

27 Haidyn Shade

10 Miller Harvey

29 Daniel Mammoliti

11 William Cameron

30 Timothy Lai

12 Billy Johnson

34 Lachlan Plant

21 Riley Ham

37 Ben Figliola

23 Emmanuel Parissis

38 Max Cirigliano

25 Nathan Ryan

39 Kobi West

26 Parker Sneddon

40 James Sala

29 Brock Jacobsen

42 Cale Du Plessis

31 Thomas Guljas

46 Andrew Pellegrino

35 Ryan Hargreaves

47 Oscar Mammoliti

38 Michael Teal

50 Cooper Cuthbertson

39 Kobe Long

52 Jake Waters

40 William Teal

53 Lachlan Gee

41 Jayden Teal

54 Harry Johnston

44 Nathan Ellis

56 Luca Mollica

47 Brodie Catania

57 Finn Hanegraaf

49 Lachlan Sneddon

58 Keegan Radecki

50 Connor Vosper

60 James Sayers

53 Fredrick Frew

61 Mitchell McLean

75 Ashley Reed

62 Tom Goss 64 Oliver Dennehy 66 Taylor Moxon 68 Andrew Vavra 71 Marcus Maurici THE FOOTBALLER | essendondfl.com.au

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STRATHMORE COMMUNITY BANK PREMIER DIVISION PRELIMINARY FINAL

KEILOR

President: Shaun Morris Coach: Mick McGuane

AIRPORT WEST

President: Pauline McShanag Coach: Brent Taylor

1 Kyle O’Connor

1 Ned Gentile

2 Corey Ellis

2 Ben Nelson

3 Matthew Bartlett

3 Brendan Godden

4 Kane Barbuto

4 Ty Macumber

5 Cody Brand

5 Joel Brown

8 Reuben William

6 Hamish Morrison

9 Bradley Xavier

7 Tyson Young

10 Josh Honey

8 Clayton Rogers

11 Nicholas O'Kearney

9 Jack Keogh

12 Billy Johnson

10 Luca Muratore

13 Joel Sadler

11 Matthew Hanson

14 Jamie Papalia

12 Daniel Sinnott

15 Jay White

14 Max Rider

19 Blair Wyllie

15 Connor Leeflang

21 Riley Ham

17 Justin Cappelletti

22 Christos Kosmas

18 Joshua Buchanan

24 William Burke

19 Musa Hussain

25 Nathan Ryan

21 James Paraskevopoulos

28 Harvey Wilkes

23 Lachlan Di Sebastiano

30 James Bailey

25 Christian Mazza

32 Jermarl Daly

26 Cooper Janevski

33 Mason Thomas

28 Luke Sultana

34 Harrison Kennedy

29 Mick Edwards

37 Damon Hollow

31 Ben Bozinovski

43 Joseph Ciranna

32 Koolyn Briggs

45 Jovan Petric

33 Jacob Bygate

46 Daniel Sargent

34 Isaac Cullen

51 Liam Hude

39 Darcy Broom

55 Christian Olivieri

41 Cooper McMullin

81 Kade Long

42 Corey Barbaro

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STRATHMORE BOUND FOR WINDY HILL

By Luke D’Anello

Strathmore went to school on powerhouse Keilor during the season in a bid to conquer a team which has been nigh on unbeatable in the past three years.

The Mores faced a difficult September examination in Saturday's Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division major semi final at Greenvale Recreation Reserve.

The result? The perennial contender passed with flying colours and sent shockwaves through the competition.

Strathmore powered to a 40-point win, 18.12 (120) to 12.8 (80), and delivered a gamebreaking nine-goal burst in the third term to sink the Blues and earn a direct passage through to the grand final.

You have to go back to August 2017 against Greenvale for the last time Keilor conceded more than nine goals in a quarter.

It was also their heaviest defeat since July 2022, when they lost to Aberfeldie by 43 points.

The Mores could not have made a much greater finals statement given the Blues are 52-2 in the past three home-and-away seasons.

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"We prepared really well for this week's game.

Obviously Keilor has been the benchmark for a long time now, so we went to work right throughout the whole year knowing if you're going to win a grand final you need to beat Keilor," Strathmore coach Nick Ash said.

"We've been working pretty hard and reviewing their games and the way they play pretty heavily. We came in with a plan that we thought could work.

"We knew we needed a big third quarter to put some scoreboard pressure on them, otherwise (with Keilor) coming home with that strong breeze at Greenvale, we were going to have our backs up against it.

"The boys went out and executed accordingly, which was really good to see."

Ash heaped praise on his players for their selflessness, with Luke Jarrad, Sam Hayes, Christopher Scerri, Trent Dumont, Liam Cavanagh, and Corey Grindlay among the stars.

Strathmore finished the regular rounds in third spot with an 11-1-6 record, but has since swept aside the two teams who finished above them after starting the finals campaign with a 55-point win over Aberfeldie.

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STRATHMORE BOUND FOR WINDY HILL

Ash, who is in his second season at the helm, said the Mores were as well placed as they have been in recent years as they chase their first senior flag since 2022.

Will Janky has also impressed, along with Lachlan Plant, who has played 12 senior games this year but missed selection for the semi final.

He described the win over the Blues in the pressure-packed atmosphere of finals as "huge".

"There might be six, seven, eight kids under the age of 22 playing in the senior side," Ash said.

"You've got to perform at the business end of the year and that's where teams get evaluated on how good they are," Ash said.

"Obviously you need to surround them with the right people and the experienced heads, which we've got. You've still got the evergreen Adam Iacobucci and Luke Jarrad running around and doing their thing. To have them in the side directing these young kids is really pleasing as a coach."

"To go out there and execute like that and go in with a plan and see the boys put it all together, I couldn't ask any more as a coach.

"But we certainly know the job's not done.

Making the grand final is an achievement, but obviously once we get to finals every team wants to win, so we know we've got a lot of hard work to do over the next two weeks to make sure we give ourselves the best chance on September 20."

Ash said he expected Keilor to bounce back hard as it prepares for a preliminary final against in-form Airport West this weekend.

The Blues succumbed to Pascoe Vale in the opening week of finals last year before reversing that result in the decider.

Ash said centre half back Cavanagh had led the way for the Mores in 2025, playing every game, while Athan Tsialtas has 43 goals to his name.

Big-name ex-AFL recruit Hayes has also been a consistent performer and has been in the best in both finals.

Ash said the Mores faced some pleasant selection headaches for the grand final, with the likes of former VFL player Andrew Gallucci, Kade Mueller, Daniel Mammoliti, and Haidyn Shade playing reserves on Saturday.

Skipper Daniel Mighell is also pushing to return having not featured since Round 15 because of injury.

"There's blokes certainly pushing hard to get in, but on the flipside of that, we've probably played two of our better games for the year and got through pretty much injury free, so it's always hard to change a winning side," Ash said.

"But they're certainly putting their hands up and challenging the blokes who are in there.

"I suppose the proof will be in the pudding the next two weeks which 22 we go with, depending on who we play as well."

But the club's enviable batch of young talent continues to shine.

"We've had a lot of young kids come through the side this year," Ash said.

"Hugh Allison has probably cemented his spot from the halfway mark and had a really, really good year.

"Cooper West just gets better and better. He's been in the senior side for three years now I think and you probably look at him and say he's been there for 10 years with how calm he is."

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