Eastland Division Two Grand Final Preview

Two clubs that are looking to break senior premiership droughts that go back to 2010 and 2014, will fight it out this Saturday at Walker Park for the Eastland Division Two premiership.

Two different pathways for these two clubs on their road to the Grand Final.

In Nick Batsanis’s final year coaching Templestowe, the Dockers have set the benchmark in 2025 with the exit of Boronia from the division.

The Dockers took out the Minor Premiership, winning 16 of 18 Home and Away games, and moved straight through to the Grand Final with a three-point win over Surrey Park in the second semi.

Adding the likes of Daniel Cooper and Matt Mariani to the mix has helped take a finals outfit to a premiership contender.

Beau Mitchener is having another superb year, averaging 58 hit-outs per game, alongside 23 disposals. Around him, they’ve built a strong midfield with Michael Fogarty, Carl Giovannini, and Josh Warren all having standout years.

One of only two teams to defeat the Dockers in 2025 is their Grand Final opposition, Wantirna South.

Entering the unknown this season, the Devils came into Division Two after being relegated from Division One. Under Jason Heffernan, a premiership captain of the club and a favourite son, the Devils have been one of the biggest improvers in the competition this year.

The number one-ranked attacking side in the division have proven they can still put up a big score in the finals, scores of 109 and 116 in their last two finals at Walker Park.

A dynamic forward line that presents multiple challenges for opposition defenders. It was Quinn Clark who led the way against Mulgrave with a haul of six, and a ridiculously good Preliminary Final performance from division-leading goalkicker Liam Hewett saw him bag ten against the Panthers!

Defensively, they’ve been well led by Nathan Denes, who has had a standout year for the club.

Head-to-head, the Dockers and Devils are one win apiece in season 2025. On Saturday afternoon, that deadlock will be settled with one side set to hold up the cup.

2025 Head to Head Meetings

Round Three - Wantirna South 14.16 100 def. Templestowe 8.8 56 @ Walker Reserve

An early sign that the Devils were going to be a real challenger in 2025 was their Round Three victory over Templestowe.

A dominant first quarter saw Wantirna South kick the first six goals of the game, 19 inside 50's to seven in favour of the Devils.

The damage was done with the Dockers unable to ever get within striking range of the Devils for the remainder of the afternoon.

A great ruck duel between two of the divisions best in Jake Denes and Beau Mitchener provided viewers a great spectacle. Meanwhile the Devils attacking forward half was on show, Jesse Warner booting three.

Round 12 - Templestowe 13.11 89 def. Wantirna South 6.11 47 @ Templestowe Reserve

Vintage Mariani as the Dockers secured their position on top of the ladder with a 42 point win over Wantirna South in Round Twelve.

Matt Mariani starred in the Match of the Round with 27 disposals and three goals.

With the Devils losing some key personnel in the opening half, the Dockers ran rampant as their midifelders got on top, Josh Warren and Michael Fogarty combining for 50 disposals, 25 each, while Carl Giovannini had 22 of his own.

A statistically dominant game from the Dockers, since then, the side has yet to be beaten.