Match Previews | With the first week of finals in the books, this weekend's semi final action beckons with potential grand final berths or the end of season 2026 for some.

After a thrilling opening week of finals, top-of-the-table Darley will take on Lake Wendouree at City Oval, with the winner earning a place directly in the grand final.

Darley will enter the contest full of confidence after a narrow 43–42 victory over North Ballarat in a highly contested qualifying final.

North came out strongly in the opening quarter, establishing a one-goal lead, before Darley settled into the contest. North Ballarat tried their best to place additional defensive pressure on Olivia Cawthray, who was responsible for 41 of Darley’s 43 goals.

Despite the attention on Cawthray, Darley continued to find ways to create opportunities. At the defensive end, Matilda Elliot was a dominant force at GK, putting North Ballarat’s attacking circle under enormous pressure and making it difficult for them to convert the opportunities they created.

North maintained a one-goal advantage at half time, but the third quarter proved decisive. The third quarter saw Darley settle into the game and begin to gain momentum, with North Ballarat having all but two players rotate into different positions.

The changes caused some unsettled combinations for North, allowing Darley to capitalise and take control of the quarter. Darley won the third term by two goals, turning the game around to take a one-goal lead into the final quarter.

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