Weekly Wrap | Headlining off field news this week was another side being booted out of finals for playing ineligible players and a netball scoring controversy.

Starting with the netball and in the Wimmera FNL A Grade Elimination Final between Ararat FNC and the Southern Mallee Thunder FNC scores were locked at 47 apiece at the end of regulation time, thus sending the game into overtime. With the subsequent time played, Southern Mallee were able to end up winners 62 to 55. However a subsequent investigation via video showed that it was in fact Ararat who were the winners at the end of regulation time, 48-47. Despite an appeal, the Wimmera FNL has decided to let the overtime result stand as the scorecards had been signed by both captains, meaning Ararat have now been eliminated from the finals despite winning the match.

For the second time this season a football team has won a final but had the result overturned. In the Ballarat FNL, the North Ballarat FNC reserves won the Elimination FInal by 61 points over Sebastopol FNC. It was however identified that North Ballarat FNC had fielded ineligible players and after an investigation by the League, this was found to be true. Despite an appeal, the result was overturned and Sebastopol FNC progressed to this weekend's finals.

Saturday saw the final match played in the 106 year history of the Golden Rivers FNL. Hay FNC now holds the honour of the last ever premier after their 10.18 74 to 9.10 64 win over Ultima FNC, reversing the 1 point defeat to the same side in last year's corresponding match. Cavendish FNC were crowned premiers in the South West District FNL with a 13 point win over Dartmoor FNC. This not only ended a run of 13 straight wins for Dartmoor, but also came as a massive reversal of form after Cavendish were held goalless and lost to Dartmoor in the final home and away game by 95 points. Omeo Benambra FNC recorded back to back premierships with a tight 2 point win over Swan Reach FNC in the Omeo and District FNL.

The big premiership winners this weekend were the Marong FNC in the Loddon Valley FNL who claimed their fourth flag in a row with a convincing 32 point win over the second placed Bridgewater FNC. Speaking of four in a row, a Preliminary FInal win over Katandra FNC by Waaia FNC in the Picola and District FNL has now given them a chance to also win their fourth flag in a row next weekend when they take on Katamatite FNC and former Port Adelaide big man Tom Clurey. A loss by Echuca FNC in the Goulburn Valley FNL ended their hopes of winning four flags in succession as they went down by 6 points to Rochester FNC, 12.7 79 to 10.13 73.

There was September agony for several clubs this weekend after having had successful Home and Away seasons, with several bowing out in straight sets. Longwarry FNC in the Ellinbank & District FNL, Cohuna Kangas in the Central Murray FNL and the Belmont Lions FNC in the Geelong and District FNL went out with two finals losses after finishing in second place on the ladder. The same fate was suffered by Merrivale FNC in the Warrnambool & District FNL who had only experienced 1 loss throughout the regular season, ended top of the ladder but will now watch on next week. Torquay FNC in the Bellarine FNL will also be onlookers on Grand Final day after going down to the fifth placed Anglesea FNC, who now have a chance to win their first flag since 2012.

Three more regular season leaders are also at risk of crashing out in straight sets next weekend. In the Wimmera FNL, Ararat FNC lost for the first time in 25 consecutive games after a 7 point loss to the Southern Mallee Thunder FNC, 11.7 73 to 11.14 80. A winning streak of 13 games by Colac Imperials FNC came to an end in the 2nd Semi Final with a loss to Alvie FNC, while the league leading East Geelong FNC in the Geelong and District FNL will have to go the long way round to get to a Grand Final after an 18 point loss to North Geelong FNC.

Two fairy tale finals runs came to an end in the Preliminary Finals this weekend. In the Kyabram and District FNL Ruishworth FNC, who were in recess only two seasons ago, came up against a red hot Lancaster FNC who ran away with an 81 point win. In the Riddell and District FNL Kyneton FNC who were in their first finals series for 27 years, went down to Macedon FNC in a game that was close all day, 12.9 81 to 10.11 71.

Preliminary Final weekend in a few leagues saw 1 point thrillers deciding next week's grand finalists. The clash in the Mininera and District FNL was a see-sawing affair between Tatyoon FNC and Ararat Eagles FNC. Despite trailing by 5 points at three quarter time, Ararat were able to kick three goals to two in the last quarter to come away with the 10.15 75 to 11.8 74 win. Whilst in the Mid Gippsland FNL, it was Yinnar FNC coming from the clouds kicking six goals to one in the last to almost steal the win against Foster FNC who held on by a solitary point, 9.10 64 to 9.9 63.

It took extra time to decide the second Preliminary Final in the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL. With scores tied at 7.5 47 apiece between Carisbrook FNC and Natte Bealiba FNC, both sides went to extra time. A single point by Carisbrook during the additional time was enough to hold on for a 7.6 48 to 7.5 4y victory. While it wasn’t a Preliminary FInal, it was equally exciting in the Ovens and Murray First Semi Final when Wangaratta FNC kicked two goals in the last minute of their match against Lavington FNC, including one after the siren to clinch a 12.7 79 to 11.12 78 thriller and progress onto next week, knocking the Panthers out in straight sets at the same time..

There was an AFL feel to the finals this week with ex Bomber skipper Dysaon Heppell raking up 40 disposals to help Leongath FNC defeat Traralgon FNC and progress to their ninth straight Gippsland FNL Grand Final. It was a 4 goal haul by former Hawk and Demon James Frawley assisting Devon Meadows FNC in Division 1 of MPFNL to claim a Grand Final berth for the first time in 28 years. A couple of ex AFL players in coaching roles faced off in the Geelong FNL, with former Saint Seb Ross’ Colac FNC knocking off ex Geelong star Steve Johnson’s Newtown Chilwell FNC by 49 points in their second semi final encounter, 13.14 92 to 6.7 43

This coming weekend sees 20 premierships on offer across Victoria. (last flag)

Bellarine FNL | 1 v 5 | Geelong Amateur (2022) V Anglesea (2012)
Central Highlands FNL | 4 v 3 | Daylesford (2024) V Skipton (2010)
East Gippsland FNL | 1 v 2 | Lucknow (2012) V Wy Yung (2023)
Ellinbank & District FNL | 1 v 3 | Neerim South (20222) V Trafalgar (2018)
Heathcote & District FNL |2 v 1 | Mount Pleasant (2023) V North Bendigo (2019)
Horsham & District FNL | 2 v 1 | Harrow Balmoral (2024) V Noradjuha Quantong (Never won)
Kyabram & District FNL | 1 v 2 | Murchison Toolamba (2024) V Lancaster (2023)
Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL | 1 v 3 | Trentham (1994) V Carisbrook (2018)
Mid Gippsland FNL | 2 v 1 | Fish Creek (2024) V Foster (2019)
Mininera & District FNL | 1 v 2 | Lismore Deriinallum (2017) V Ararat (2022)
MPFNL - Div 2 | 1 v 3 | Frankston Bombers (2009) V Devons Meadows (Never Won)
North Central FNL | 2 v 1 | Calder United (Never Won) V Birchip Watchem (2022)
North Gippsland FNL | 1 v 2 | TTU (2023) V Woodside (2024)
Outer East FNL - Div 1 | 3 v 1 | Seville (2019) V Warburton Millgrove (2006)
Ovens & King FNL | 2 v 1 | Bright (2004) V Greta (2024)
Picola & District FNL | 1 v 2 | Waaia (2024) V Katamatite (2001)
Riddell & District FNL | 2 v 5 | Riddell (2024) V Macedon (2017)
Sunraysia FNL | 2 v 1 | Irymple (2023) V Mildura (2007)
Tallangatta & District FNL | 1 v 2 | Kiewa Sandy Creek (2018) V Barnawartha (2013)
Warrnambool & District FNL | 2 v 4 | Allansford (1987) V Nirranda (2024)