2026 Under 17.5A Grand Final Preview

2 hours ago
2 min read

By Josh Ward.

Under 17.5A Boys - Blackburn Black vs East Ringwood Blue @ Knox Gardens Reserve, 2:50pm

Two of the powerhouse clubs in the Eastern Football Netball League are set to close out the Under 17.5A competition season when they meet this afternoon.

Both have had very different paths to this stage, with Blackburn the first side to qualify for the decider whilst East Ringwood have had to come for fourth to book their ticket.

The Burners have had a near flawless season, finishing atop the table with just two losses to their name this year.

It’s a group comprised of players still eligible for Under 16’s and has talent such as Vic Metro U16 reps Mackenzie Stewart, Mac Hammerstein and William Thornton.

Others including Joshua Prest, Ryder Brown and leading goalkicker Samuel Holloway will also be key, with Holloway having kicked 34 goals in 11 games this year.

East Ringwood on the other hand enter this game having defeated Wantirna South by 32 points before holding on for an eight-point victory over Rowville in last weekend’s Preliminary Final.

Their wide array of goalkickers has been a feature in those wins, with star players such as Mason Agnew, Sullivan Hanna and Liam Johnson all impacting the scoreboard in at least one of those two finals.

Those three will be vital for East Ringwood’s chances against Blackburn this Sunday alongside Tyler Edge, Xavier Niemann and Mason Kent who’ve all put together excellent seasons.

The Roos are yet to defeat Blackburn this year, going down by 15 points at Morton Park in Round 3 before falling 15 points short at Glen Park in the final round of the regular season.

It’s set to be an enthralling Grand Final, which you can catch all the action from on EFNL YouTube this Sunday afternoon following the conclusion of the Under 18 Girls decider.

Other U17.5 Grand Finals

U17.5B - Glen Waverley Rovers vs Boronia, Liberty Reserve, 3:00pm

U17.5C - Kilsyth vs Ringwood, Walker Reserve, 3:00pm

U17.5D - Wantirna South White vs East Ringwood White, Heights Reserve, 3:00pm