Stage set for September after Round 15 walkovers and blowouts

Fitzroy have booked their place in an elimination final date with Port Melbourne after a critical 19-point victory over St Kevin’s.

With their season hanging by a thread, Fitzroy took the early advantage with a straight kick courtesy of Cleo Bigwood. With some strong defense, the Fitzroy backs held St Kevin’s goalless for the first term.

A positive opening term helped Fitzroy springboard their attacks in the second term, culminating in a 2-goal term, and by doing so, stretching the margin out to 19-points at the main change.

St Kevin’s sought to provide rearguard action after the main break but entries inside their forward 50 were gleefully intercepted by the Fitzroy backline. At the 10^th minute mark of the third term, Fitzroy added their fourth goal for the match with Bigwood slotting her second. The margin at three-quarter-time seemed an insurmountable 26-point for the visitors.

A much-improved fourth term by the St Kevin’s outfit resulted in their first goal splitting the middle, to cut the margin back to 19 points at the final siren. This means season over for St Kevin’s as Fitzroy live to fight another day in Season 2025, as their eye turns toward the elimination final next week

Port Melbourne Chargers have hit their straps at the business end of the home and away season, putting West Brunswick to the sword to the tune of 40-points.

It all started with the Chargers banging home the first three goals of the game to jump the home side. Paige Holt got to work in the forward 50 to kick her first of four goals for the game, meaning the visitors led by 17 points at the first break.

The Magpies responded after quarter-time with a goal of their own, with the Chargers failing to extend their lead profoundly taking a 14-point buffer at half-time.

It was a tight tussle to begin the third term, but the Chargers wrestled the momentum back to boot consecutive goals to extend the margin to 27 points at the three-quarter-time break.

The damage was well and truly done in the premiership quarter by the Chargers which allowed them to enjoy the spoils of their fourth term momentum, kicking three of the last four majors of the day to run out winners by 40 points.

The Chargers have booked their spot in a mouthwatering elimination final with Fitzroy, as it’s the end of the road for the Magpies in 2025.

Caulfield Grammarians capped off their home-and-away season with a commanding 24-point win over Preston Bullants on Saturday morning at W.R. Ruthven Reserve. The victory secures their spot in next week’s home qualifying final against Old Yarra Cobras.

The opening quarter was a tense, defensive battle, with neither side able to trouble the scoreboard. Caulfield broke the deadlock in the second term, kicking 2.2 while holding Preston to just two behinds, establishing a 12-point buffer at the main break.

Caulfield’s intensity around the contest lifted further after halftime. Their pressure forced turnovers in Preston’s defensive half, and they capitalised with another two goals in the third quarter. Preston continued to work hard but struggled to generate scoring opportunities against a well-organised Caulfield backline.

In the final term, the visitors added another goal to seal the result, while the Bullants were kept scoreless in the second half. The 4.2 (26) to 0.2 (2) scoreline reflected Caulfield’s ability to control territory and convert their chances efficiently.

With momentum on their side and a strong defensive record, Caulfield will now turn their focus to next weekend’s qualifying final, where they’ll host the Old Yarra Cobras in what promises to be a fierce finals encounter.

Old Yarra Cobras delivered a statement performance heading into finals, powering to a thumping 102-point victory over Canterbury at Doncaster Reserve on Saturday.

From the opening bounce, the Cobras took control, kicking 4.1 in the first term to Canterbury’s 1.0. Their forward line looked dangerous every time they entered attack, and by halftime they had piled on eight goals to lead 56–6.

The onslaught continued after the main break, with Old Yarra dominating possession and applying relentless pressure. Their third quarter was particularly destructive, adding six more goals to stretch the margin to 89 points by the final change. Canterbury, to their credit, kept battling but struggled to break through the Cobras’ defensive wall, managing just two scoring shots for the half.

When the final siren sounded, Old Yarra’s scoreboard dominance read 16.14 (110) to 1.2 (8), underlining their attacking firepower and defensive discipline. The result sends a clear warning to the rest of the competition.

Next week, the Cobras will travel to face Caulfield Grammarians in a highly anticipated qualifying final. With both sides in winning form, it promises to be a fierce and high-quality battle for a spot in the next stage of the finals.

Westbourne Grammarians were set to take to the park against the Oakleigh Krushers. Unfortunately, this match was not contested with numbers an issue for the Krushers at the pointy end of the season, meaning the curtains have been drawn on Oakleigh’s season. Westbourne take home the points as a result of Oakleigh’s forfeit which means they will host a qualifying final in the second week of finals, facing the winner of Caufield and Old Yarra!

The Monash Blues rounded out their season with a Bye, which sees them with just the three wins for the season.