Eastland Division Four Grand Final Preview

Eastland Division Four Grand Final Preview

Redemption for the Pioneers? Or will the Panthers break through for their first senior premiership since 2009?

It’s a rematch of the Qualifying Final as Chirnside Park and Whitehorse face off for the Division Four premiership. In their first meeting of the finals, it was a comprehensive 58-point win for the Panthers as they picked apart the Pioneers after Quarter Time. Jake Cawsey, who’s been so important all season, kicked four on the day, while Trent Castledine booted five.

It was a win the Panthers desperately needed to prove their Home and Away form would stack up in the finals.

They’ve been the best side this season, finishing three games ahead of second-placed Whitehorse. In Justin Ficorilli’s first season as senior coach, the side has thrived and is ready to finally take on the challenge of the big dance.

Their opposition in the Pioneers has done a fantastic job to get back to Grand Final Day at East Ringwood Reserve after last year’s result against Scoresby.

Led by Andrew Haining, they responded exceptionally well after the Qualifying Final loss to defeat the Bloods by 40 points in the Preliminary Final.

They led the entire afternoon, extending their lead at each change. Daniel Horvat booted four, but Patrick Young, Anthony Sharp, and Thomas Young all chipped in with three of their own.

Like last year, they enter Grand Final Day as the underdogs.  

This year, the Panthers have the ledger over the Pioneers, three victories to one. Both clubs are eager to earn their promotion back up to Division Three, but only one will earn the right.

2025 Head-to-Head Results

Round Four - Chirnside Park 8.9 57 lost to Whitehorse 8.15 63 @ Kimberley Reserve

The Pioneers handed the Panthers their first loss of the season back in Round Four with a tight six-point win at Kimberley Reserve.

A come from behind victory for Whitehorse who kicked the go ahead goal 24 minutes into the final term. Adam Ewart listed best on for the Pioneers.

It remains the only win for the Pioneers against Chirnside Park this season.

Round 11 - Whitehorse 10.12 72 lost to Chirnside Park 25.17 167 @ Springfield Park

A demolition result at Springfield Park, the Panthers were far too strong for the Pioneers in Round 11, a 95-point drubbing.

Jake Cawsey had one of his best hauls for the season, eight goals in the victory, while Jared Dersken managed to put through four of his own.

Round 15 - Chirnside Park 10.13 73 def. Whitehorse 10.4 64 @ Kimberley Reserve

A much better performance this time around for Whitehorse but they still fell short of Chirnside Park by nine points, the Panthers locking in the Minor Premiership.

The margin in the final term stretched out to 25-points before the Pioneers kicked the last three goals of the day to bring the final margin back to nine points.

Samuel Cannon starring in the victory for the Panthers.

Semi Final - Chirnside Park 17.9 111 def. Whitehorse 7.11 53 @ East Ringwood Reserve

The finals monkey off the back for Chirnside Park.

After dropping their last four finals games after strong Home and Away seasons, the Panthers put away any doubters with a 58-point win in the 2025 second semi final.

A five goal to one second-term helped put the Panthers into a strong position at the main break. The strength of their forward line and ability to put on a score was on show, Trent Castledine kicked five, Jake Cawsey with four.

Ryan Long