Weekly Wrap | The finals action began off field this week where two sides had their finals campaigns impacted due to playing ineligible players.
In the states north east, the Ovens and King FNL had to eliminate the Milawa FNL reserves team from this weekend's Preliminary Final. Milawa had beaten Greta FNL in the reserves first semi-final by one point on to advance, however it was discovered they had an ineligible player in that game. Greta was reinstated for the upcoming match this weekend but was unfortunately no match for Bright FNC who progressed to next week's Grand Final.
It was a similar situation where the Newtown & Chilwell FNC Reserves were stripped of their second semi-final win against South Barwon FNC in the Geelong FNL from the previous Saturday, again due to playing an ineligible player. But unlike Milawa, Newtown & Chilwell got to stay in the finals series and played against St Mary’s FNC in the preliminary final on Saturday. A 26 point win means they will have a rematch with South Barwon again in the Grand Final this coming weekend, which should hold some extra spice given the circumstances both teams have gone through.
Super Saturday lived up to expectations with 17 premierships up for grabs. The story of the weekend was in the Mininera and District FNL where the Ararat Eagles claimed their first ever senior premiership since forming in 2000 and also claiming the title of “Premiers and Champions” after going through the season undefeated. They weren’t the only “Premiers and Champions” for the weekend with Langwarrin FNC in the MPNFL Division 2, also becoming premiers after an undefeated season and claiming their first flag for 17 years. They also managed to walk away with the premierships in all three grades of football.
Joining Langwarrin in winning all football grades on offer, was the Marong FNC in the Loddon Valley FNL, who had a huge 94 point win over Bridgewater FNC. The state’s leading goalkicker for this season, Brandyn Grenfell had a day out kicking 9 in the big win that broke a 33 year premiership drought. Other drought breaking wins were in West Gippsland FNL with Tooradin-Dalmore NFC saluting for the first time in 25 years and 21 year long droughts were broken by Birchip Watchem FNC in the North Central FNL and also Rupanyup FNC in the Horsham and District FNL who hung onto a 3 point win against Kalkee, 11.17 83 to 12.8 80.
In the Colac and District FNL it was South Colac FNL winning the club's first for 20 years, but the biggest drought breaker for the weekend was Gordon FNC in the Central HIghlands FNL who were able to lift the premiership cup for the first time in 34 years, running out 65 point winners against Springbank FNC. Whilst it wasn’t a big drought breaking win, Yinnar FNC earned their after doing it the hard way to win the Mid Gippsland FNL premiership. Yinnar had to win the last game of the regular season to make the final six and then won four straight finals to claim the title.
While last week saw several after the siren kicks to decide games, and it was the case again this weekend as well. In the Geelong FNL it was a kick after the siren for a goal that gave Leopold FNC a 5 point win over an inaccurate Newtown & Chilwell FNC and secured them a grand final berth, winning 10.7 67 to 8.14 62. In the Sunraysia FNL it was Irymple FNC securing a tight 6 point premiership win, against a gallant Wentworth FNC who staged a remarkable last quarter comeback, getting to within three points after starting the term 16 points behind. There was an even tighter four point victory by Bannockburn FNC in the Geelong and District FNL decider as they held on to beat Inverleigh FNC, 13.9 87 to 12.11 83.
Next week sees another big weekend of Grand Finals with 15 deciders to take place and the chance for some long suffering clubs to taste the ultimate success. In the Ovens and King FNL, the Benalla All Blacks FNL will be out to break a 41 year premiership hoodoo when they take on Bonnie Doon FNC. While in the Murray FNL two long premiership droughts are set to be broken when Cobram FNC, who are searching for their first flag in 24 years, takes on Mulawa FNC who are 32 long years since celebrating on the last day of the season.