THE first premierships were handed out on the weekend, while every division is now into the thick of the finals action. It’s all covered on Around The Grounds.
THE FIRST PREMIERSHIPS OF 2026
Great to be at the senior women’s grand finals on Sunday afternoon, which marked a number of things; one – that it was the first premierships of season 2026; and two – Northern Football Netball League football returned to Preston City Oval.
The weather was well and truly spectacular and the football equally as such.
The division one game was a great decider. It always felt like St Mary’s 1 was pretty comfortable, particularly in the third quarter when the Burra broke the game open. But Montmorency 1 never gave up and created a pretty decent finish by running all over the Burra.
Still, St Mary’s did enough, ensuring it is a dynasty for the girls at Whatmough Park – three flags in four seasons.
In division two, Fitzroy Stars were warm favourites and played as such.
It took until the second quarter to really get going, but when the second half came around, the Stars’ elite ground ball game went into overdrive, and it was all the girls in red, black and yellow from there.
Ivanhoe fought hard until the end, and in many respects, it was actually a similar game to the division one grand final that followed it, but the Stars were just too strong.
In division three, it was a tough, gritty first half between St Mary’s 2 and Macleod.
Both fairytale stories for the amount of work both teams did to field a team, Macleod broke the game open in the third quarter, kicking two goals in two minutes, before sealing the game with a third goal in the final quarter to eventually win by 20 points.
Well done to coaches Troy Bickerton (St Mary’s 1), Jax Mardini (Fitzroy Stars) and Joel Steindl (Macleod) as premiership coaches, and to Elyssa Rees (St Mary’s 1), Rosie Wilson (Fitzroy Stars) and Rebecca Stellini (Macleod) as best-on-grounds in their respective grand finals.
IVANHOE THROUGH TO FIRST NFNL MEN’S GRAND FINAL
A cracking game at Lalor Reserve on Saturday saw Ivanhoe through to its first senior men’s grand final since its entry into the Northern Football Netball League as the Hoers chase their first premiership since 2022.
It looked for all money like it round be a rout 10 minutes in, with the Hoers kicking seven goals in an incredible run to leave Laurimar simply shellshocked.
However, the Power worked hard to get back into the game and closed to within a goal midway through the final term.
The Hoers had another gear in them, however, and kicked away to kick another six goals to eventually win by 34 points.
Coach Wayne Schultz is an incredible operator – great to chat to him after the game. He keeps it real.
Ivanhoe would be deserving premiers – but Laurimar most certainly aren’t out of it.
SAINTS A GREAT STORY
Watsonia are the division 3 story of the year without question.
Written off by many after losing basically its entire top 10 of last year’s best and fairest, the Saints are absolutely loving flying under the radar, but that won’t be the case anymore.
Instead, the Saints absolutely demolished a – what has to be said – disappointing Mernda, who are bundled out in straight sets, by 62 points after kicking seven goals to nil in the last quarter.
Last week, coach Anthony McGregor was absolutely fired up after winning a final. One could only imagine what the scenes would have been in the away rooms after Sunday’s game.
They now play Laurimar for a spot in the grand final.
ST MARY’S FLYING
The Burra are emerging as South Morang’s biggest challengers in division 2.
Yes, the Lions are still favourites, and they are getting back reinforcements at the right time of year, but the Burra will absolutely give themselves every chance.
The 26-point victory in Saturday’s qualifying final felt like a lot more, although Northcote Park did put some respectability back on the scoreboard.
Unfortunately for Northcote Park, injuries and a lack of depth feel like it is getting it at the wrong time of the season, but at least the attractive footy it does play will be a selling point for a stronger season in 2027.
The Cougars’ season is not done, however…
BUT HERE COME THE RAIDERS
…that’s because Old Paradians are on the horizon this weekend, making club history by taking its first division 2 finals win with a strong performance against Whittlesea.
The Raiders kicked away after half time, putting together six goals to four to turn a 13-point lead into a 29-point win.
The Raiders will certainly back themselves in to make a preliminary final this weekend – what a story that would be…
HEIDELBERG’S ALMIGHTY STATEMENT
They certainly do not muck around at Warringal Park when push comes to shove.
Diamond Creek beat the Tigers earlier in the year. When it came time for a rematch, the men in yellow and black showed no mercy, beating down on the Demons with an eight-goal to one first quarter, and ended up winning by 116 points.
That was first versus second. Going swimmingly, then, for the Tigers, as they seek five in a row.
Jordan Smith stole the goalkicking award on the final day of the season, winning by one goal from teammate Zane Barzen.
The Tigers ended up with three of the leading four goalkickers in the competition.
MONTY CRACK THE DOUBLE TON
Also going well are Montmorency, who have Epping Recreation Reserve’s home rooms this week thanks to a genuine rout of North Heidelberg.
The Magpies only kicked a lazy 13 goals in the second quarter, and 12 in the last, going on to kick 33.17 (215), and winning easily.
Nash Holmes is simply a star, kicking four and was best on ground.
I suspect the Magpies are Heidelberg’s biggest challengers.
MIND GAMES
Fascinated to see how Bundoora and Greensborough approach this Sunday in the elimination final.
The two teams played one another on Saturday, so it’s a rare moment for two teams to play each other twice in two weeks.
In a topsy-turvy game, Bundoora led early, but Greensborough hit back to lead by two goals during the third quarter. The Bulls kicked six goals to nil in the last quarter, however, and ended up winning by 33 points.
These mind games always intrigue me. It seems Greensborough are playing a few games with no best players selected at the time of production.
Bundoora might be the same. Jesse King somehow didn’t kick any goals and missed out on the league-leading goalkicker award. Who knows how it all plays out!
BANYULE’S BIG FINISH
What a great finish to the season for Banyule. While disappointing for the Bears that their slow start ultimately costs them, they are certainly running hot, have plenty of re-signings already in the bag (including my personal competition best-and-fairest favourite, Jean-Luc Velissaris) and are one to watch in 2027.
The Bears farewelled West Preston-Lakeside from division 1 with no mercy, putting together a 142-point shellacking.
INTERESTING FINISH AT BEN FRILAY OVAL
Nothing out of the ordinary at Hurstbridge on Saturday at three-quarter-time, with the Bridges 39 points up… and it’s gone.
Eltham, in a crazy finish, kicked seven goals in 20 minutes to snatch the lead in what was a delight to football followers – the classic ‘nothing to play for’ shootout we love so much.
Hurstbridge had a response, and the ball was in Kain Hall’s hands as he kicked the winner with seconds left.
The ball was in Eltham’s forward 50 as the siren went. Some finish to Joel Cordwell’s time at the Bridges.
FIXTURES THIS WEEK
It means there is plenty to play for all weekend.
In division one, Montmorency and Diamond Creek will do battle on the Saturday at Epping Recreation Reserve, while Bundoora and Greensborough play off at the same ground on Sunday.
In division two, it will be South Morang and St Mary’s at Eltham on Saturday, and Northcote Park and Old Paradians on Sunday.
Division three sees Laurimar and Watsonia do battle for the right to meet Ivanhoe at Lalor Reserve on Saturday.
Good luck to all the juniors as well in the grand finals this Sunday as well.
