Under-12
Calder United v Birchip-Watchem
Calder United was first to attack, wasting no time in stating its purpose. Ryder Harrison fired a ripping shot early, but it went just wide. Birchip-Watchem responded quickly, a strong 16-yard clearance finding its way into attack where Oscar Sharp broke through the Lions’ defence to score ten minutes in. Oscar nearly doubled the lead soon after, only to be denied by a timely kick from Lions’ keeper Riley Beattie.
Calder United kept pressing through Ryder, Ollie White,  and Ashton Wright, but the Bulls’ defenders and keeper stood firm. The Bulls controlled much of the remainder of the half, though it was still just a single goal separating the sides at the break.
The second half was more even, both teams earning penalty corners but unable to convert. Calder came close through Arlee Hogan and Dean Bennett, while Birchip-Watchem threatened again via Des Coffey and Denley Tyler. Calder threw everything forward in the final minutes, but the Bulls held on grimly to preserve their 1–0 lead and claim the premiership.
Underage
Charlton v St Arnaud
The Saints were first into attack, but Charlton’s Jordan Chamberlain and Rhys Gahan scrambled well to deny an early goal. From there, Charlton began to turn the tide —Amali Fitzpatrick drove the ball forward with purpose, setting up repeated attacking opportunities. After a frantic scramble when the ball spilled loose, Toby Bourke pounced to slot home the opener for the Navies eight minutes in. St Arnaud nearly equalised through Ned Ezard, who carried the ball all the way into the D, but Charlton held firm to take a 1–0 lead into halftime.
After the break, Charlton started Darcy Olive in a symbolic gesture, allowing him a brief touch despite his broken collarbone. He soon came off the field to loud applause from the Charlton supporters. Charlton pressed hard and Forbes Kirk was quick, absorbing three successive shots rising from the ground to block each one. The Saints lifted late, with Amelia Watts equalising from close range with just eight minutes remaining. Both teams pushed harder in the dying minutes — the Saints forced a string of penalty corners, but Charlton keeper held strong, and the 1–1 score remained at full time.
The shootout brought the contest to its sharpest point. Charlton sent in Rosie, Murphy, and Amali Fitzpatrick, joined by Toby Bourke and Jordan Chamberlain, with Rhys Gahan guarding the net. Saints countered with Jesse James, Sam Greenaway, Lewis Lowe, Duncan Kirk, and Ned Ezard. Both goalkeepers were outstanding, keeping the scores close, until Lewis Lowe calmly converted which was enough to seal the premiership for the Saints. Best in finals were Amali Fitzpatrick and Duncan Kirk.
Women’s
St Arnaud v Calder United
The opening quarter saw Calder United press early, earning a penalty corner within the first three minutes of play. The Saints’ defenders did their job, and they soon found their rhythm, as both sides earned short corners but were unable to convert. Brylea Knight was lively for Saints, while Calder’s defenders, led by Sue-Anne Beattie, stayed composed. The nil-all deadlock stretched into halftime, with neither team giving an inch. The half-time talk was intense.
Two minutes into the third quarter, Kate Gifford finally broke through for the Lions, lifting the crowd. They continued to attack strongly, winning corners and forcing several shots, but the Saints’ backline, Sophie Male and Nicola Kirk, held firm. A good run of play for Calder saw Sarah Botheras at the end of the chain. No score that time, but Morgan Beattie scooped the ball up before it crossed halfway and fired it back into contention. The  scare was enough to spur the Saints into action, and they began to attack with intent.
The crowd stepped the noise up and the players responded. The bouncy field claimed a few scalps along the way, and a solo run from Querida Pearse was only just thwarted by Calder’s Keely Allan. Saints continued to press. Kate Gifford took a knock to the hand and came off, and the Saints scrambled to take advantage of the personnel change. Eventually, Johanna Meagher pounced to equalise late in the third quarter.
With 11 minutes to go, Saints earned a short corner. A hard ball went to the post and found Priya Coatsworth, but it had too much momentum and rebounded wide.
The final minutes were very physical, with both sides desperate to find a winner. At one apiece at full time, the premiership came down to a shootout.
Saints lined up with Brylea Knight, Querida Pearse, Georgia Douglas, Johanna Meagher and Addison Wright, with Sophie Male in goals. Calder countered with Sue-Anne Beattie in goal, and Tanya Goddard, Kate Gifford, Sarah Botheras, Mary-Anne Pollard and Laura Harrison stepping up.
Sarah Botheras and Mary-Anne Pollard both converted their chances, and that was enough to secure the premiership for Calder United.
Best in finals was awarded to Calder United’s Sarah Botheras.
Men’s
Calder United v St Arnaud
The men’s final was fierce from the outset, St Arnaud moving quickly through the middle while Calder earned the first short corner, only for the shot to fly high. Both sides struggled with the bounce of the field, passes skidding or hopping away, leaving much of the play scrappy and physical. Xavier McKersie and Edward Parry both spent time off after infringements.
The second quarter lifted in pace, Calder United pressing hard and forcing repeated saves from St Arnaud’s Sam Cook. The Saints tried to counter with long, hard hits but couldn’t build their usual passing game. By half-time it was still 0-0.
The third quarter was equally tight, Ben Greenaway solid in the midfield for St Arnaud using his aerial to good effect, while Thomas Watts was dangerous in transition. Chances came at both ends, but no clean finish was found. The crowd swelled and lifted with the football final over, and the last term was played with desperation. The Lions pressed but grew frustrated tempers starting to flare, while St Arnaud’s composure created late chances, including a penalty corner with two minutes left, only to be shut down.
With no score after four quarters, the match went to a shootout, just as it had in the second semi-final. Calder United lined up Ben Williamson, Paddy Eccles, Max Rowland, Nick Rowland and James Paley, with Will Ison in goals. St Arnaud answered with keeper Sam Cook, Joe Watts, Hamish Pearse, Thomas Watts, Ben Greenaway and Edward Parry. In the end, Calder United converted enough, clinching the premiership.
Best on ground was awarded to St Arnaud’s Ben Greenaway.