Match Previews | Saturday marks the first occasion old school rivals Darley and Sunbury meet in a BFNL Grand Final.

Despite an impressive eight BFNL Premierships between them (since 1997) you have to go back to the glory days of the Riddell District Football League for their last meet on the competition’s biggest stage, when the Devils saluted against the odds in 1989.

Call it the belated decider some 36 years in waiting, call it what you like, but this showdown for the BFNL's ultimate silverware trumps all bragging rights for the here and now.

Sunbury has won five BFNL Premierships, none since 2012, while Darley have three, all post the previous Lions’ success in 2015, 2017 and 2023.

The last grand final the Lions took part in was their 55-point loss to Bacchus Marsh in 2016 at Mars Stadium.

Enter the new era.

Given the Devils more recent success under Dan Jordan, the minor premiers will have as many as 14 representatives from their 2023 flag campaign - needless to add the Lions sit at zero, given their 13-year hiatus.

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