By: Troy Swainston – Chief Executive Officer – Eastern Football League
Five grand finals up for grabs, two teams will taste premiership glory this weekend.
Each side will have the opportunity to create their own history and write their own story. Reputations will be enhanced, and the recollections and stories will grow legs as the reunions take place.
The Eastland Senior Men’s Grand Final Series kicks off with Division 3 being played on Saturday at Jubilee Park. The undefeated South Belgrave will be well-represented on Saturday with all three teams playing. In the seniors, the Saints take on the Waverley Blues who have come from fourth position on the ladder, scraping through the elimination final with an overtime win against Warrandyte. South Belgrave has been dominant all season, and Waverley Blues come in with some real momentum so it will be interesting to see how the day unfolds. Waverley Blues last tasted grand final success at Jubilee Park in 2008. Can they cause an upset? Or will the all-conquering South Belgrave march into Division 2 with a perfect season?
On Sunday at Scoresby Recreation Reserve, ladder-leader East Burwood takes on Fairpark in the Eastland Division 4 Grand Final. The teams met twice during the season with East Burwood winning a close game in Round 9; Fairpark turned the tables at home in Round 18 and won comfortably. The ground size at Scoresby Recreation Reserve is larger than Fair Park Reserve but smaller than East Burwood Reserve so the team that adapts best will come out on top. Will it be the bigger bodies of Fairpark or the running midfield of East Burwood that wins on Sunday?
In Division 2, its preliminary final weekend with reigning premier Boronia taking on Mitcham fresh from an overtime win at East Burwood Reserve on Saturday. This should be a great contest with the winner earning the right to face Ringwood in the grand final.
In the Division 1 preliminary final, Croydon takes on Park Orchards at Tomore Reserve. Croydon just missed a spot in the grand final following a narrow loss to Doncaster East whilst Park Orchards had a strong win over Lilydale in the elimination game.
In Premier Division, reigning premier Vermont faces Balwyn at Baywater Oval on Saturday, with the winner progressing to the grand final. Vermont has had the week’s break and Balwyn are coming off an impressive win over Blackburn. Balwyn was on from the outset and able to play the game on its terms. The tactical battle between Rodney Eade and Harmit Singh will be very interesting on Saturday.
Sunday’s Deakin Uni Eastern Region Women’s grand finals were a fantastic culmination of a great season. In three years, the women’s competition has grown to five divisions which includes an Outer East division. The crowds that attended both venues across grand final day suggest that female football is thriving and will only continue to grow in the future. The support that these young women received was amazing on the day.
Our women’s Premier Division and Division 1 grand finals were held at Lilydale with South Croydon defeating The Basin by two points to claim the Division 1 premiership. In the Premier Division grand final, Chirnside Park defeated the Whitehorse Suns to claim the premiership. Both teams are new to the competition and have assisted in taking the Premier competition to a new level.
Our women’s North and South grand finals were held at Mulgrave Reserve, a newly-resurfaced ground in amazing condition. In the North Division, North Ringwood defeated Park Orchards to claim the premiership in its first season. In the South Division, Rowville defeated the South Belgrave Lysterfield Wolves by seven points. All four teams that participated were new to the competition this year. Congratulations to all sides that made the grand final and we look forward to seeing you all back playing next season. Watching a North Ringwood player drive out of the car park with the cup hanging out of the sunroof, tooting the horn captured the jubilation of the moment perfectly.
The BJS Insurance Veterans Grand Final showed how footy clubs can be a great place to bring families together. Seeing the kids at the game watching their parents play will no doubt inspire the next generation of footballers. In a tight tussle, Coldstream broke away late in the game kicking five last quarter goals to win by 22 points over reigning premier Scoresby. Coldstream won the BJS Veterans premiership in their first season, with Johnny Pignataro being named best on ground.
Our Bendigo Bank Netball Premier Division, Division 1, 2 and 3 grand finals take place this Friday night at HE Parker Netball Centre. Last week it was great to see so much club support at the Division 4, 5, 6 and 7 grand finals. Upper Ferntree Gully, Nunawading, South Belgrave and The Basin all victorious on the night to capturing respective premierships.
To everyone involved in EFL footy and netball this season, thanks for your contribution and I hope to see you back next year. And to those still in contention for 2019, best of luck for the next few weeks.
Remember to tune in to our Division 3 grand final on SEN 3 on Saturday and the Division 4 grand final on 1377 SEN+ on Sunday or watch the live stream via the EFL website.