State league affiliate: Essendon (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Essendon, Preliminary Final - Saturday, September 15, 2.10pm, Stannards Stadium
The Bombers went down by eight points in a wet, contested final in Port Melbourne.
Aaron Francis was impressive in defence with six marks while Dylan Clarke had 30 disposals, the most on the field.
Kobe Mutch also collected plenty of the ball (21 disposals) and laid 10 tackles.
Josh Green, who was told this week he won't be offered a new contract for 2019, had a quiet afternoon that was capped off when he was collected high by Tom Bugg and left momentarily dazed on the ground.
He spent a long period on the bench in the third quarter but returned to finish the game.
State league affiliate: Box Hill Hawks (VFL)
This weekend: Williamstown v Box Hill Hawks, Preliminary Final - Sunday, September 19, 2.10pm, Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill Hawks advanced to the VFL Grand Final after posting a thrilling one-point win over Williamstown in their preliminary final.
The Hawks will face the Casey Demons in the premiership decider next Sunday.
Diminutive teenager Dylan Moore, untried at AFL level, starred with 22 touches and four goals, a couple of which came after taking strong contested marks that belied his size.
Experienced runner Brendan Whitecross was typically busy with 22 disposals and a goal while defender Kaiden Brand defended stoutly.
State league affiliate: Casey Demons (VFL)
This weekend: Casey Demons v Essendon, Preliminary Final - Saturday, September 15, 2.10pm, Stannards Stadium
The Demons are through to the VFL Grand Final after coming from behind to beat the Bombers in an old-fashioned, wet slog in Port Melbourne.
Josh Wagner (23 disposals), Tom Bugg (22) and Bernie Vince (22 and one goal) were the leading disposal getters.
Vince played nearly all the game after starting the first quarter on the bench and filled roles on the wing, down back, in the middle and across half-forward in his bid to push for AFL selection.
BERNIE'S BID Vince puts hand up for recall
Meanwhile, Cam Pedersen booted two goals and laid 10 tackles, while Jeff Garlett booted three.
Jay Kennedy Harris was also prolific with 20 disposals and 11 tackles.
Dion Johnstone will be sweating on a high and crude hit on Essendon's Nino Lazzaro, especially given the Demons are headed to the Grand Final. Less of a concern is Bugg's high contact against Josh Green that left the Bomber dazed but appeared within the rules.
State league affiliate: Sydney (NEAFL)
This weekend: Southport v Sydney, Grand Final - Sunday, September 16, 1pm, Fankhauser Reserve
The Swans lost the NEAFL Grand Final in dramatic circumstances after Southport was found to have 19 men on the field early in the last quarter.
However, under NEAFL and AFL rules, Southport’s score remained intact and Sydney went down by 55 points.
The Swans’ best was midfielder James Rose, who had 38 possessions, 15 clearances, seven tackles and a brilliant goal.
Rookie-listed Irishman Colin O’Riordan, the Swans’ reserves skipper, led from the front with 27 touches and a goal.
Jordan Dawson kicked three goals and laid 10 tackles, while ruckman Darcy Cameron had 19 possessions and took eight marks.
Rookie Jake Brown was accidentally knocked out in the third quarter almost immediately after running onto the field from the interchange bench.
