If the GDFNL finals make-up was a game of musical chairs, there are seven participants for five seats.
When the music stops, who will take a chair at St Albans Reserve, and who will start walking towards 2027?
Predicting outcomes is fraught with danger. I’ll either come off looking like a genius or a complete fool.
Good luck to those in contention. Prove me wrong if you don’t like my prediction.
X: @krockfootball
Werribee Centrals (1st, 14-3 – 136.43%)
Coach Rhyce Prismall was preparing for a qualifying final meeting against North Geelong before Corio caused the upset of all upsets in beating Winchelsea, putting the push for a minor premiership back in their own hands. The Centurions can still drop to second if they lose to East Geelong, and the Blues make up the percentage difference against the winless Geelong West. We’re backing them to claim their first minor premiership since 2010.
Predicted finish: 1st
Winchelsea (2nd, 13-4 – 130.71%)
The Blues blew a golden opportunity to claim their first minor premiership since joining the competition with a shock loss to Corio. With that goes two automatic chances to secure a grand final berth. They haven’t played in the last match of a season since losing the 1994 Colac & District decider to Birregurra. Can still finish top if Werribee Centrals lose to East Geelong and they avoid a second calamitous performance against Geelong West.
Predicted finish: 2nd
North Geelong (3rd, 12-5 – 133.33%)
A hamstring injury to Osca Riccardi compounded a dark day at Richmond Crescent, with the Magpies held to just three goals by East Geelong. It also loosened the reigning premier’s grip on a qualifying final berth. If North can’t overcome Inverleigh at Keith Barclay Oval, and one of the Eagles or Belmont Lions win, the Magpies will start their finals campaign out of an elimination final.
Predicted finish: 3rd
East Geelong (4th, 11-6 – 168.81%)
The owners of clearly the best percentage in the competition, the Eagles made finals all but a certainty for the third consecutive year under Ned Aulsebrook in beating North Geelong. If the Magpies stumble against Inverleigh, and East returns from a meeting with Werribee Centrals with its 12th win of the season, a qualifying meeting with the Centurions or Winchelsea beckons. A loss to Centrals will result in an elimination final berth against one of North, Belmont Lions, Bell Post Hill or Bannockburn.
Predicted finish: 4th
Belmont Lions (5th, 11-6 – 135.13)
Percentage is the Lions’ friend heading into the meeting with Bell Post Hill at Winter Reserve. They sit a game and 4.5 per cent clear of the Panthers, with Bannockburn a further two per cent back. The Lions could climb to third with a win and losses for North Geelong and East Geelong. A loss would leave them vulnerable to tumbling out of the top five. Bell Post Hill and Bannockburn, which hosts Corio, can both replace them with a victory that makes up those percentage gaps. Are 4-4 at home in 2026.
Predicted finish: 5th
Bell Post Hill (6th, 10-7 – 130.63)
To quote the legendary former owner of the Los Anglees/Oakland Raiders, Al Davis, the motto is simple for the Panthers: “Just Win, Baby”. However, margin will be critical if last year’s preliminary finals are to usurp Saturday’s opponent Belmont Lions in fiftth spot. The Panthers trail the Lions by 4.5 per cent. Better people with numbers reckon a five-goal win would be enough to bring down the Lions’ percentage enough for the ‘Hill to overhaul them. That still might not be enough if Bannockburn was to record a 10-goal-plus win over Corio. Let’s hope the scoreboard is correct at Winter Reserve.
Predicted finish: 7th
Bannockburn (1st – 10-7)
After keeping their finals hopes alive heading into the final round by beating Inverleigh, the Tigers need to beat Round 17 giantkiller Corio by a significant margin (think 10 goals) and have Bell Post Hill beat Belmont Lions by enough to reduce the Lions’ percentage but not enough to increase the Panthers’ out of reach. Will Ron Pilgrim’s coaching tenure be extended by at least one more week?
Predicted finish:6th
Predicted Finals Week 1
- Qualifying Final: Winchelsea vs. North Geelong @ St Albans Reserve
- Elimination Final: East Geelong vs. Belmont Lions @ St Albans Reserve
