The Weekly Wrap | Three Grand Finals were played last weekend, while the rest of the state was fighting for the right to play on one more time and for some clubs, the dream ended in dramatic fashion.

There was also plenty happening away from the football field, with former AFL Bomber and Saint Jake Carlisle cleared to play for Wallan FNC in the Riddell & District FNL Preliminary Final after being suspended following an incident with a spectator the previous week. Carlisle responded in the best possible fashion, being named among Wallan's best players in their 24-point victory over Riddell FNC.

There was controversy in the Ballarat FNL, where Bacchus Marsh FNC's Reserves side was sensationally removed from the finals after the club was found to have breached league rules relating to its coach's accreditation. The Cobras had finished as minor premiers but will now take no further part in the finals series.

East Gippsland FNL produced a thrilling Grand Final, with Lindenow FNC claiming its first premiership in seven years after edging out minor premiers Boisdale Briagolong FNC by six points, 12.5 (77) to 11.5 (71).In the Heathcote & District FNL, North Bendigo FNC also ended a seven-year wait for a premiership, knocking off minor premiers Mount Pleasant FNC and denying them the chance to go back-to-back.
And in the South West District FNL, Dartmoor FNC completed an undefeated season to claim its first premiership in 11 years in the lowest-scoring Grand Final in league history, winning 3.14 (32) to 1.2 (8). That makes Dartmoor the first club in 2026 to finish the season as Premiers and Champions.

Despite wet and windy conditions across much of the state, there were still some impressive scoring performances. Woodside FNC produced the highest score of the weekend in the North Gippsland FNL, kicking 20.10 (130) to 8.9 (57) against Heyfield FNC in the Preliminary Final. Barnawartha FNC produced the biggest winning margin, defeating Tallangatta FNC by 82 points, 15.15 (105) to 3.5 (23), to book its place in next weekend’s Grand Final.

With just two more semi finals to be played, the average winning margin in this year's First Semi Finals is sitting at 38.54 points, up considerably on the 2025 average of 31.00 points. Second Semi Final margins are also higher, averaging 32.49 points compared with 27.47 last season.

There were some incredible finishes across the weekend. Lancaster FNC ended Murchison Toolamba FNC’s hopes of a third straight Kyabram & District FNL premiership with a thrilling one point Preliminary Final win, 9.7 (61) to 9.6 (60). In the Gippsland FNL, Warragul FNC survived one of the more chaotic finishes of the season, eventually defeating Wonthaggi FNC by a single point after an incorrect score was discovered on the scoreboard following the final siren.

Moe FNC also booked its Grand Final place with a four point win over Leongatha FNC after Fraser Phillips had a shot after the siren that fell short. Central Murray FNL produced another classic, with Koondrook Barham FNC coming from 15 points down at three quarter time to defeat Mallee Eagles FNC by two points, 16.3 (99) to 15.7 (97).

And in the Geelong FNL, Bell Park FNC defeated St Joseph’s FNC by two points in a dramatic Elimination Final, with a potential match winning goal ruled a point after the player’s foot was adjudged to be over the line as he kicked the ball.

There were also some significant results as the finals series continued to turn the form guide upside down. Marong FNC is now one win away from a fifth consecutive Loddon Valley FNL premiership after a 51 point Preliminary Final victory over Pyramid Hill FNC. In the Central Highlands FNL, Bungaree FNC’s season came to an end despite losing just once during the home and away season, with Daylesford FNC winning the Preliminary Final.

Carisbrook FNC, another minor premier with only two home and away losses, was also eliminated after Harcourt FNC produced a three point Preliminary Final upset. In the North Central FNL, Wedderburn FNC now faces the possibility of a straight sets exit after losing to Sea Lake Nandaly FNC, while in the Bellarine FNL, ladder leader Queenscliff FNC’s six game winning streak was ended by Torquay FNC.

Another six clubs joined the list of sides suffering straight-sets finals exits. Yinnar FNC, Winchelsea FNC, Strathfieldsaye FNC, Mallee Eagles FNC, Stawell FNC and Katandra FNC have all entered the finals undefeated or among the competition's leading contenders, only to suffer consecutive finals defeats.

Katandra's exit is perhaps the toughest of the lot. After winning all 17 home and away games in the Picola & District FNL, the undefeated Kats suffered their first loss of the season in their only finals appearance, going down to Waaia FNC by 26 points.

18 Grand Finals will be played next weekend, with a mixture of reigning premiers, premiership contenders and clubs chasing long-awaited success.

There are some fascinating stories among those match ups.

Bridgewater FNC and Marong FNC will meet again with the Loddon Valley FNL premiership on the line, with Marong chasing a fifth consecutive flag. Nirranda FNC will also attempt to make it five straight in the Warrnambool & District FNL, while Woodside FNC is chasing a third consecutive North Gippsland FNL premiership against Cowwarr FNC.

In the Tallangatta & District FNL, reigning premier Kiewa Sandy Creek FNC will attempt to finish the job against Barnawartha FNC after having its 23 game winning streak ended late in the home and away season while in the Ovens & King FNL, Bright FNC will look to defend last year's premiership against Whorouly FNC, the side that dominated the competition for much of 2026.

After six months of football, thousands of games and countless stories across Victorian country football, it comes down to a big weekend.

18 Grand Finals. 18 premierships. One final chance. The 2026 season is ready for a massive weekend ahead.