2025 Eastland Division Three Grand Final Preview

Eastland Division Three Grand Final Preview

What a storyline for this year’s Division Three Senior Men’s Grand Final!

Donvale, playing off in their fourth consecutive Division Three Grand Final, will meet Scoresby, eager to create some further history with back-to-back premierships.

The Magpies of Donvale have won one of their last three Grand Finals, with their two losses in 2022 and 2024, games decided by less than a kick. They’ve managed to keep their core group of stars together in 2025 and have remained the team to beat.

A forward line consisting of the likes of Nick Murphy, Ethan Duncan, Harrison Giles, and Kaleb Djordevic has troubled most opposition sides over the year. They were straight through to the Grand Final after a 37-point win over Knox in the second semi-final.

They've faced some massive challenges this year, particularly on the injury front. Captain and reining back-to-back league Best and Fairest winner James Rausa missed most of the year due to injury, amongst other key players in their best 22.

Despite that, they remained the team to beat in Division Three, taking home the Minor Premiership for a third consecutive season.

Once again, they enter Grand Final Day at Jubilee Park as the side to beat, but they won’t be underestimating a Scoresby outfit that is seeking back-to-back premierships. Going up to Division Three this year after a historic drought-breaking Grand Final win over Whitehorse in 2024, the Magpies of Scoresby have surpassed all expectations in 2025.

They’re in a very similar spot to Surrey Park of 2024 and have had to make the decider the hard way after going down to the Falcons in the Qualifying Final. Since then, Scoresby has knocked off Upper Ferntree Gully by 51 points and Knox by 39 points.

Two of their key recruits this off-season in Matthew Traynor and Jordan Camilleri, playing big roles in the Preliminary Final to lead the Magpies back to the big dance.

In both meetings this season, Donvale have blown out the lead in the opening half before Scoresby have fought their way back into the contest. Donvale held on in Round Eight, but in their Round 17 encounter, Scoresby pulled off a famous comeback on their centenary day.

We’re set for an incredible afternoon at Jubilee Park, the two best sides in Division Three this year going head-to-head.

2025 Head-to-Head Results

Round Eight - Donvale 17.10 112 def. Scoresby 14.9 93 @ Donvale Reserve

A 19-point win in a top of the table clash in Round Eight saw Donvale move a game clear on top of the Division Three ladder.

Despite the final margin of 19 points, the margin at one stage in the second term blew out to 51 points in favour of Donvale. It was Ethan Duncan that got the home side going with a big first half, finishing the afternoon with seven majors.

Losing a couple of players across the afternoon gave a rejuvenated Scoresby side a chance to claw their way back into the game. Adam Amin booted six as Jordan Camilleri came alive in the second-half with an impressive performance through the midfield.

Despite their late charge, Donvale had all the answers, responding with three final quarter goals to hold off the fast-finishing Magpies.

Round 17 - Scoresby 11.12.78 defeated Donvale 9.14.68 @ Scoresby Recreation Reserve.

The centenary comeback.

A special day for the Scoresby Football Club as they pulled off a 50-point turnaround on their home deck in front of a big Magpies crowd. The club celebrating their 100th year had pre-game presentations on the ground with the return of some of the club's all-time greats and every premiership cup.

It wasn't the start to the game that they were after however, five goals to one in the first quarter in favour of Donvale kept the home crowd quiet. Once again, the two key forwards in Ethan Duncan and Nick Murphy troubled the Scoresby defence, combining for six up forward.

The margin stretched out to a dangerous 40-points in the second term and the home side had no answers for Donvale Skipper James Rausa, who had 21 disposals and a goal to his name by Half-Time.

An improved third term from Scoresby gave the Magpies a spark but they were unable to cut into the deficit.

Five goals down at the final change, the tide turned in a wild eleven minutes where Scoresby booted six goals to take the lead. The X-Factor of the Magpies line up Declan McBean, booted two, while Thomas Wolnarek took multiple big contested marks down back.

Another inspired performance from Jordan Camilleri saw the Magpies star take best on ground honours, a 32 disposal, two goal game.

A famous comeback for the Magpies of Scoresby.

Ryan Long