Finals football has arrived in NFNL Division 1, with four sides heading to Epping Recreation Reserve this weekend as the premiership race enters its next stage.
Heidelberg will enjoy the week off after finishing on top of the ladder and securing the minor premiership. Montmorency finished second, Diamond Creek third, Bundoora fourth and Greensborough fifth, setting up two intriguing finals clashes.
Montmorency vs Diamond Creek – Qualifying Final 1
Saturday’s qualifying final shapes as one of the most difficult games to predict, with Montmorency and Diamond Creek having already produced two tight contests this season.
Their Round 1 meeting ended in a 37-37 draw, before Diamond Creek edged ahead in Round 10 with a one-point victory.
That history makes Saturday’s clash particularly intriguing, with very little separating the two sides across their previous meetings.
Diamond Creek will also welcome back Carlton VFL-listed duo Taj Logan and Liam Farrar, providing a significant boost heading into the club’s first finals campaign.
Logan has been an important contributor for the Creekers when available, while Farrar adds versatility and experience after spending the season at VFL level with Carlton.
Their inclusions could prove particularly important against a Montmorency side boasting plenty of experience and quality across the ground.
The Magpies will look towards Nash Holmes and Stefan Uzelac to control the midfield, while Ben Paterson and Ben Davis provide plenty of firepower inside 50.
Diamond Creek will need Jacob Booth and Ewan Macpherson to win the battle around the contest, while Logan and Farrar could provide the difference with their ability to impact the game.
Nathan Searl will also be an important player for the Creekers, with the half back one of the competition’s best in his position this season. His ability to provide drive from defence and launch Diamond Creek’s ball movement will be crucial against a dangerous Montmorency forward line.
With a place in the second semi-final against Heidelberg on the line, expect another tight contest between two sides that have been unable to separate themselves this season.
Players to watch: Nash Holmes, Stefan Uzelac, Ben Paterson, Jacob Booth, Nathan Searl, Ewan Macpherson, Taj Logan and Liam Farrar.
Bundoora vs Greensborough – Elimination Final
Sunday’s elimination final gives Bundoora and Greensborough an immediate opportunity to settle the score.
Greensborough won their Round 9 meeting by 10 points, but Bundoora turned the tables emphatically last weekend, defeating the Boro by 33 points in the final round.
The Bulls will therefore enter Sunday’s clash with plenty of confidence, but Greensborough knows it has already shown it can beat Bundoora this season.
Liam Mallia has been one of Bundoora’s important performers through the midfield, while O’Neil Moncrieff provides plenty of strength around the contest.
Up forward, Jesse King looms as a major threat. King has been one of the competition’s most dangerous goalkickers throughout the season, giving the Bulls a reliable avenue to goal, while Keegan Downie provides another dangerous option inside 50.
Greensborough will look towards Jack Johnston to provide composure and drive, while Blake Watson can influence the game through the midfield. Up forward, Brody Glenn gives the Boro another dangerous target and will be important if they are to overturn last week’s result.
The Boro will also have the experience of former Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell at their disposal. The decorated midfielder brings a wealth of AFL experience to Greensborough and has already featured for the club during the 2026 season. Mitchell’s ability to win possession and provide composure around the contest could be a major factor in an elimination final.
The Boro will also take confidence from their Round 9 victory, knowing they have already found a way to overcome Bundoora this season.
But with the loser eliminated and the winner progressing to the first semi-final, there is no room for error.
Players to watch: Liam Mallia, O’Neil Moncrieff, Jesse King, Keegan Downie, Jack Johnston, Blake Watson, Brody Glenn and Tom Mitchell.
While the other four finalists battle it out, Heidelberg can sit back and prepare for the second qualifying final.
The Tigers finished the home-and-away season in top spot, earning the double chance and a valuable week off.
Heidelberg finished the season in emphatic fashion, defeating Diamond Creek by 116 points in Round 18, and will now wait to see which side emerges from Saturday’s qualifying final.
Up forward, Jordan Smith and Zane Barzen headline a dangerous attack, with both finishing the home-and-away season with more than 50 goals.
For the other four sides, however, the focus is simply on surviving and progressing.
Two huge finals at Epping Recreation Reserve will determine who remains in the premiership race and who will have to wait until 2027.
