This week marks the do-or-die Preliminary Final in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 competition, with the winner moving one step closer to premiership glory.
It will be Greensborough and Hurstbridge taking the stage at Epping Recreation Reserve this Sunday at 2:10pm.
The Borough have posed as a challenge for the Bridges this season, taking both wins in their head-to-head encounters.
Back in the opening Round of the 2025 home-and-away season, Greensborough came from behind in the first term and never looked back to secure a three-point win at Ben Frilay Memorial Oval.
Ruckman Nathan Howard was instrumental that day, earning 10 coaches MVP votes, alongside Jamie Smith who slotted four goals and brought the Borough to victory.
For the Bridges Joel Naylor kickstarted his 2025 with a four-goal outing to keep them in touch throughout the match.
When they met again 10 weeks later at War Memorial Park, Hurstbridge were outclassed once again by the mighty Borough, defeated by 30 points.
Rayden Garrard had a standout performance, booting five goals and earning eight coaches’ MVP votes. Benjamin Fisher also kicked a career-high four goals, helping lead the team to victory.
Yet with Hurstbridge’s finals momentum, they are expected to be a worthy component and will put up a strong fight.
The Bridges have soured through September, running over the top of last year’s Grand Finalist’s Montmorency by a stellar 28 points in the first elimination final.
Additionally, their performance against the Bears on Sunday proved their finals worthiness, producing their second most dominant display of the season with a 64-point triumph.
Rising talent Nash Dyer and Caelan Anderson both capped off an outstanding afternoon by topping off their tally of four goals each.
In the match that booked Greensborough’s spot in the preliminary final, they overpowered Banyule by 59 points, showcasing their similar form.
Nathan Howard and Angus Seivers were brilliant in the air, with Brody Glenn and Conor Willis kicking many of Greensborough’s total of eighteen goals.
These two sides last clashed in the first 2024 Elimination Final, where the Borough scraped through with a four-point win.
They then fell to Montmorency in the Preliminary Final by just two points and will be hoping to avoid a repeat this time.
This match promises to be a roaring contest with high-intensity as both teams will give it their all to secure a spot in the biggest game of the year.
With Heidelberg already locked in for the Grand Final, this match-up will decide who will challenge the undefeated squad.
