The Division 2 finals series kicks off this weekend, with five sides set to battle for the ultimate prize.
Diamond Creek, Whittlesea, Macleod, St Mary’s and Northcote Park will all enter September with high hopes, but only one can claim the flag.
With big inclusions, recent form lines, and plenty of history between the teams, this opening weekend is shaping up to be a cracker.
The first Qualifying Final sees Whittlesea and Macleod square off at Lalor Reserve on Saturday afternoon, with the winner to face Diamond Creek in next week’s semi-final for a direct spot in the Grand Final.
These two sides have already played out two fascinating encounters this season. Back in Round 7, Macleod stamped their authority with a 29-point win at De Winton Park.
Captain Darcy Barden was the star of the show, kicking six majors and leading from the front, while Justin White was named best afield thanks to his class and work rate.
Supporting acts from Jordan Corelli, Kurt Manuel and Joel Anderson ensured the Roos took control when it mattered.
When they met again just over a month ago, the script flipped. Whittlesea defended their home ground in style, recording an 11-point win at the Showgrounds.
Khaled El-Leissy, Mitchell Andrews and Taidhg Bland continued their outstanding seasons with strong displays, while Barden was again a threat for Macleod, kicking four goals to keep his side in the contest.
This time around, Macleod will welcome a huge inclusion for the finals campaign in Carlton VFL talent Darcy Hogg.
His presence provides the Roos with a major boost in both physicality and skill, giving them an extra weapon in what is already a dangerous side.
On the other hand, Whittlesea’s consistency across the park has been one of their biggest strengths, and their ability to spread the workload makes them incredibly hard to stop when they get on a roll.
With both sides carrying form and plenty of motivation into this clash, Saturday promises to deliver a nail-biting contest.
The loser will get a second chance, facing the winner of Sunday’s elimination final, but both teams will be desperate to move within touching distance of a Grand Final berth.
Sunday’s elimination final brings St Mary’s and Northcote Park together in what looms as a fierce battle for survival.
The winner lives to fight another day, taking on the loser of Saturday’s match, while the season ends abruptly for the defeated.
The Burra and the Cougars have split their two meetings this year, with each side winning away from home. That factor alone shows just how evenly matched these teams are and sets the stage for a gripping final.
St Mary’s will enter the clash buoyed by their strong late-season form, most notably a commanding 41-point victory over Macleod in Round 17.
That result underlined their ability to match it with the best and will give them plenty of confidence heading into September.
For Northcote Park, the build-up has been more challenging, having lost their last two games of the home-and-away season.
However, those defeats came against the top two in Diamond Creek and Whittlesea, so they will still take heart from being competitive.
Importantly, the Cougars have already beaten St Mary’s once this year, proving they have the weapons to cause trouble.
In terms of forward power, St Mary’s will look to Jack Cicitta, who has been one of Division 2’s standout forwards in 2025 with 52 goals to his name.
His ability to hit the scoreboard and provide a target will be pivotal. For Northcote Park, Jacob Thompson is their main threat up forward, having kicked 32 majors across the season.
With both sides hungry to extend their seasons, Sunday’s clash has all the makings of a finals classic.
Expect a fierce contest that could come down to a moment of brilliance or composure in the dying stages.