Parkdale hold off fast finishing Fitzroy to claim Premiership – Premier C Men’s Grand Final Review

Parkdale have been crowned Premiers of Premier C Men’s in 2026, after warding off a valiant fourth quarter rampage by Fitzroy, to win by one straight kick. The Grand Final produced everything fans hope a Grand Final delivers; big scores, high intensity, and a close margin!

Parkdale Vultures 15.8 (98) def Fitzroy 13.14 (92)

The Vultures capitalised on glorious conditions at Trevor Barker Oval in true September weather, booting the opening four goals of the game through Olly Green, Eden Honan, Lloyd Bailey, and Mitch Brown.

It had seemed their opponents were still mentally in last week’s Preliminary Final win, with Fitzroy taking until the 28^th minute mark to respond to Parkdale’s hot start through a Sam Jordan major.

Fitzroy had their opportunities at goal in the first time but misfired five times to give Parkdale a handy 14-point buffer at the first change.

Olly Green carried on Parkdale’s first quarter momentum with consecutive goals to open their second quarter account.

The Vultures were dominant in most of the statistics on the ground and it showed mid-way through the second term when Jack Vorbach slotted his first goal of the game to stretch the home side’s lead to 32 points.

Luke Minahan lit the fire for Fitzroy in the second term with consecutive goals of his own to shift the momentum for the first time in the contest.

The Roys woes in front of goal continued with five behinds following Minahan’s major but was dispelled at the perfect time with a clever finish from Charlie Faubel in time-on in the second quarter.

Just like that Fitzroy had cut the margin back to 11 points at the main break.

Jack Dalton’s side came out firing again in the third term with the all-important premiership quarter ahead of them. Harrison Grace and Marcel Laidlaw made it five goals in-a-row for the visitors after Parkdale’s electric opening term.

Just as Fitzroy stamped their authority on the contest in the third quarter, Parkdale’s midfield might became more productive through Green, Kai Day, and Zach Kovacs. Day, Brown, Honan, and Vorbach kicked truly to give Parkdale the ascendency at the three-quarter-time break.

The Vultures had one hand on the Premiership trophy at the final change.

There was one last twist in the tale which encapsulated an enthralling finals series. The Roys proceeded to kick the next four goals of the contest to bring the game back within a kick and threaten to blow the game open with a premiership on the line.

The ever-so-reliable Mitch Brown stepped up for Parkdale and kicked his fifth for the day to put the Grand Final to bed. A late effort, last gasp shot for goal flew wide for Fitzroy, leaving Parkdale showering in ecstasy.

Mitch Brown’s bag of goals also earned him the Best on Ground award.

“So proud of the 22 young men that took the field for Parkdale”, Premiership coach Owen Lalor said.

“It was a great game of ebbs and flows… Fitzroy kept coming at us and we kept responding”, Lalor added.

What a fantastic season we have witnessed in Premier C, capped off by Parkdale defeating Fitzroy for the third time this season! Parkdale and Fitzroy will both depart Premier C, and we will await the results of Premier B to see how 2027 will shape up.