Four teams remain in the Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 finals series with a place in the Grand Final on the line this weekend.
Heidelberg will take on Montmorency in the Second Qualifying Final at Epping Recreation Reserve, with the winner earning a direct passage through to the Grand Final.
For the loser, their season is not over, with a second chance awaiting in the Preliminary Final.
Meanwhile, Diamond Creek and Greensborough will meet in a do-or-die semi final at Preston City Oval, with the winner advancing to the preliminary final and the loser seeing its season come to an end.
Heidelberg vs Montmorency
The Second Qualifying Final shapes as one of the biggest games of the Division 1 season, with Heidelberg and Montmorency both knowing victory will secure their place in the Grand Final.
Heidelberg enters the contest as the minor premier after another dominant home-and-away campaign, while Montmorency comes into the clash full of confidence following its 61-point victory over Diamond Creek in the First Qualifying Final.
The Bergers have plenty of firepower across the ground, led by midfielder Luke Bunker. Bunker produced a huge performance in the final round against Diamond Creek, collecting 49 disposals, 18 marks and 11 clearances.
Up forward, Jordan Smith will be one of Montmorency’s biggest concerns. Smith finished the home-and-away season as the Division 1 leading goalkicker after booting 57 goals, while Brayden Sier has also been a major contributor inside 50. Zane Barzen provides another dangerous option after finishing second in the league goalkicking with 54 goals.
Jess Gedi is another important player for Heidelberg, with the winger capable of winning plenty of the football and providing drive around the ground.
Montmorency will enter the game with plenty of belief after its comfortable win over Diamond Creek. Marcus Lentini was outstanding in that victory, recording 39 disposals, 11 clearances and three goals.
Nash Holmes was equally influential, winning 33 disposals and 14 clearances while also kicking two goals. Stefan Uzelac will be another crucial player, with the ruckman providing an important presence at stoppages and around the ground.
The Magpies also have plenty of attacking depth, with Ben Paterson and Ben Davis both enjoying big performances in their final-round win over North Heidelberg.
With Heidelberg’s star-studded forward line going up against a Montmorency side full of midfield depth and attacking options, this could come down to which team handles the pressure of the occasion best.
The winner gets the ultimate reward — a week off and a direct ticket to the Grand Final.
Diamond Creek vs Greensborough
Diamond Creek and Greensborough will meet at Preston City Oval in a do-or-die Semi-Final, with the winner keeping its premiership hopes alive.
There is no second chance for either side, meaning defeat will bring an end to the 2026 season.
Diamond Creek will be determined to respond after its heavy loss to Montmorency, while Greensborough enters the contest with confidence after producing a dominant 78-point victory over Bundoora in the Elimination Final.
Taj Logan will be one of the key players for Diamond Creek after producing a strong performance against Montmorency, collecting 24 disposals, five marks and five clearances.
Jacob Booth will also be important through the midfield after finishing with 24 disposals and a goal in the qualifying final.
Greensborough will be hoping its midfield can continue the form that helped it dismantle Bundoora, with plenty of experience and class across the centre.
Former Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell looms as one of the Borough’s most important players. His ability to win contested possessions, find the football around stoppages and provide composure in the midfield could be crucial in a do-or-die final. Mitchell also brings a wealth of experience at the highest level, which could prove valuable for Greensborough on the big stage.
Jackson Hasler was one of the Borough’s best in the elimination final, collecting 29 disposals, eight clearances and a goal, while Blake Watson had 26 disposals, 11 clearances and a goal.
Jack Johnston will provide plenty of drive from half-back after producing 25 disposals and two goals against Bundoora, while Jackson Davies was outstanding defensively with 16 disposals and seven intercept marks.
The battle through the midfield shapes as a major factor. Diamond Creek will need Logan, Booth and Ewan Macpherson to win enough contested ball, while Greensborough will look to Mitchell, Hasler and Watson to control the stoppages.
With both teams fighting for their season, expect a high-pressure contest where momentum could prove decisive.
The winner will advance to the Preliminary Final to face the loser of Heidelberg and Montmorency.
The loser will see its 2026 premiership campaign come to an end.
What’s at stake
Second Qualifying Final – Heidelberg vs Montmorency
- Winner: Direct to Grand Final
- Loser: Preliminary Final
Key players: Luke Bunker, Jordan Smith, Brayden Sier, Zane Barzen, Jess Gedi, Marcus Lentini, Nash Holmes, Stefan Uzelac, Ben Paterson and Ben Davis.
Semi-Final – Diamond Creek vs Greensborough
- Winner: Preliminary Final
- Loser: Season over
Key players: Taj Logan, Jacob Booth, Darcy Macpherson, Tom Mitchell, Jackson Hasler, Blake Watson, Jack Johnston and Jackson Davies.
Preliminary Final
- Loser of Heidelberg vs Montmorency
- Winner of Diamond Creek vs Greensborough
Grand Final
- Winner of Second Qualifying Final
- Winner of Preliminary Final
The road to the Division 1 premiership is now down to four teams. Heidelberg and Montmorency are fighting for the first Grand Final spot, while Diamond Creek and Greensborough are battling to keep their seasons alive.
With no second chances for the loser at Preston City Oval, and a Grand Final berth on offer at Epping Recreation Reserve, the stakes could not be higher.
