Weekly Wrap | It was a ‘Super Saturday’ of Grand FInals and other finals matches across country Victorian football and netball leagues this weekend, with 20 premierships up for grabs as well as 12 leagues whose clubs competed for Grand Final spots via Preliminary Final matches.

The Ellinbank and District FNL produced the year's first ‘Premiers and Champions’ with the undefeated Neerim South FNC notching up consecutive win number 20 when they ran out 51 point winners over Trafalgar FNC 11.11 77 to 3.8 26. This upcoming weekend will see Congupna FNC in the Murray FNL also vying for the same title as they go for win number 34 in the grand final against Cobram FNC, whilst Nar Nar Goon FNC in the West GIppsland FNC are also in contention to do the same as they take on Tooradin Dalmore FNC in next weekend's decider, aiming for win number 27 in the process. 

Another team with the chance of joining the ‘Premiers and Champions’ list fell at the final hurdle.  Waaia FNC in the Picola and District FNL were on a run of 28 straight wins and had won the last 3 premierships in a row, however were stopped in their tracks by Katamatite FNC, going down by 21 points, 14.6 90 to 10.9 69.  Former Port Adelaide defender Tom Clurey kicked a goal to help his hometown win just their 5th flag in 129 years. 

Whilst Waaia were unable to do it, Nirranda FNC in the Warrnambool and District FNL were able to come from fourth position on the ladder to claim a fourth consecutive flag with a 13 point win over the second placed Allansford FNC 10.11 71 to 9.4 58. They join Loddon Valley FNC premiers Marong FNC as the other club to register their fourth flag in a row this season.

Grand finals often produce memorable games and this weekend was no exception with the East Gippsland FNL being won by the smallest possible margin.  After trailing by 13 points at three quarter time, Wy Yung FNC kicked three goals to one in the final quarter to come from behind and defeat Lucknow FNC 9.13 67 to 9.12 66. The Kyabram and District FNL decider between Murchison Toolamba FNC and Lancaster FNC was equally as thrilling. With four lead changes occurring in the final quarter, both sides got out to leads of a goal or more before Murchison Toolamba held on for a nail biting 2 point win, 13.9 87 to 12.13 85.

In the Bellarine FNL Anglesea FNC broke a 26 year premiership drought when they kicked the last three goals of the game to overrun Geelong Amateur FNC to come away with a thirteen point win, 14.10 94 to 12.9 81 and a premiership from fifth place on the ladder.  While a three goal burst to win a flag is memorable, it will be hard to top the win by Riddell FNC over Macedon FNC in the Riddell and District FNL. Trailing by two goals at three quarter time, and with Macedon kicking the first of the last quarter, Riddell piled on six goals in the final ten minutes of the match to produce a remarkable comeback win, 13.13 91 to 12.6 78 and claim back to back flags in the process.

A drought breaking premiership took place in the Ovens and King FNL when Bright FNC held the cup aloft for the first time in 21 years after a 16 point win over Greta FNC,  while the AFL games record holder Brent Harvey, kicked a goal to help Trentham FNC in the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL break a 31 year premiership drought with an 11 point win over Carisbrook FNC.

This weekend saw a pair of clubs celebrate their first ever premierships. 

In its first ever season, the newly merged Calder United FNC in the North Central FNC defeated Birchip Watchem FNC, who were undefeated in the home and away season, by 10 points 11.14 80 to 10.10 70.  In Division 2 of the Mornington Peninsula FNL, it was a pair of former AFL Demons helping Devon Meadows FNC win their first ever flag since the club was formed in 1977.  James Frawley snagged 3 goals and Dean Kent kicked 1, as the Panthers held on for a 5 point win against the league leading Frankston Bombers FNC, 10.6 66 to 8.13 61. 

In a pattern of results we’ve seen this year, this weekend's Preliminary Finals action saw another three sides get bundled out in straight sets. 

Staying in the Mornington Peninsula FNL, second placed Division 1 side Frankston YCW FNC came agonisingly close to a miracle comeback to keep their finals dream alive, kicking 7.4 to Mt Eliza FNC’s 0.2 in the final quarter, but ran out of time to overcome the 50 point three quarter time margin going down and out of the finals 10.13 73 to 9.13 67. In the Murray FNL, second placed Mulwala FNC went down by 11 points to Cobram FNC, while in the Geelong FNL, the Steve Johnson coached Newtown & Chilwell FNC had a 25 point Semi Final loss to St Mary’s, exiting the finals after two straight losses.

This coming weekend sees another 13 premierships on offer across Victoria. (last flag)

Ballarat FNL | 1 v 3 | Darley (2023) V Sunbury (2012)
Bendigo FNL | 1 v 2 | Sandhurst (2024) V Eaglehawk (2018)
Central Murray FNL | 1 v 4 | Woorinen (2019) V NNW United (2024)
Colac & District  FNL | 3 v 1 | Alvie (2023) V Colac Imperials (1995)
Geelong & District FNL | 1 v 3 | East Geelong (2009) V North Geelong (2013)
Gippsland FNL | 1 v 2 | Leongatha (2023) V Traralgon (2024)
Goulburn Valley  FNL | 1 v 2 | Kyabram (2019) V Rochester (2008)
MPFNL FNL - Div 1 | 1 v 5 | Rosebud (2015) V Mt Eliza (2024)
Murray FNL | 1 v 4 | Congupna (2024) V Cobram (1998)
Outer East FNL - Premier | 1 v 3 | Wandin (2015) V Olinda Ferny Creek (2017)
Ovens & Murray FNL | 1 v 5 | Wangaratta Rovers (2024) V Wangaratta (2017)
West Gippsland FNC | 1 v 2| Nar Nar Goon (2024) V Tooradin Dalmore (2022)
Wimmera FNL | 3 v 1 | Southern Mallee (2017) V Ararat (2024)