Who to Watch: 2026 B-E League Grand Finals

Budget Car and Truck Rental B Men- Whitford v Brentwood Booragon

Saturday, September 12, HIF Health Insurance Oval, 02:00 PM

Last Time They Met: Round 13, Brentwood Booragon 11.8 (74) defeated Whitford 5.9 (39)

Head-to-Head this year: Whitford 1; Brentwood Booragon 1

Whitford path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated North Fremantle to qualify.

Team path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd, defeated Cockburn Lakes and North Fremantle to qualify.

League Premierships: Whitford 9; Brentwood Booragon 2

Whitford’s Grand Final ghosts will be laid to rest if they can claim senior premiership honours for the first time in 23 years on Saturday.

The scars still linger for the Warriors after North Fremantle denied them a perfect season in a thrilling B Grade decider two years ago.

If the Warriors can exorcise their grand final demons, it will be the club’s first league premiership since 2003.

Back at HIF Health Insurance Oval for the second time in three seasons, Whitford coach Christian Kelly said his side had learned lessons from the “devastating” grand final loss.

“You don’t get many chances to right a wrong,” he said.

“We have probably learned to manage players better this time around, rotating them so they are fresh through the season and ensuring we are training at an intensity to mimic gameday.”

The Magpies snatched the 2024 flag from Whitford’s grasp by four points despite trailing for most of the match.

It was Whitford’s third B Grade heartbreak this century following grand final losses in 2007 and 2016.

Whitford will also enter Saturday’s premiership battle knowing their opponents, Brentwood Booragon, handed them their only loss of 2026 so far.

Kelly said his Warriors side was focused on the task ahead this week but was looking forward to the challenge of playing A Grade footy in 2027.

“We have set some pretty clear targets of where we wanted to be this year and have been pushing A Grade standards this year even in B Grade,” he said.

Taking on North Fremantle for the third time in four weeks in last weekend’s preliminary final, Brentwood Booragon dramatically earned promotion and a grand final spot with a thrilling overtime victory.

It caps off a meteoric ascension from the Bulldogs, who have climbed from C3 in 2021 to play in the PFL’s top competition next season.

It is even more impressive given they only staved off relegation last season by percentage.

Brentwood Booragon coach Barry Barone said keeping the football club an enjoyable place had been key to retaining talent and climbing up the grades.

“When I arrived at the footy club, it was a clean slate, but we have done a really good job at retaining our players and building a list,” he said.

Barone said his side was undaunted by the challenge Whitford faced on Saturday.

“We will be ready for Saturday; this is nothing we are not used to in terms of being in a position of promotion and adversity.”

Ones to watch:

Kelly described forward Max Walters as a “special talent” after he slotted a crucial four majors against North Fremantle in the second semi-final.

Walters looms as a dangerous attacking option for the Warriors on Saturday.

Midfielder Joel Horgan has been busy in the engine room for Whitford, while Cooper Smith has provided a rebounding option in defence.

2023 TR Howard Medalist Ben Mountford nearly added a second B Grade best and fairest to his trophy cabinet on Monday, finishing third in the count.

Co-captains Luke Rule and Jack Redmen have been a part of the Bulldogs’ rise from C3 and have led the charge in their side’s finals push.

Rule, a running half back, slotted the long-range winner against North Fremantle last weekend with the final kick of the game.

Rangy veteran defender Shaun Byrne looms as a contender to match up with Max Walters, and was important in last week’s overtime scramble with the Magpies.

Key defender and ruck Sokaa Soka could also be shifted back to tackle the mercurial forward.

Recruited this year, the former East Perth player has given Brentwood Booragon stability through its spine. 

Vice-captain Conor McPartland has been another standout for the Bulldogs in this season’s HIF Health Insurance Finals Series.

Budget Car and Truck Rental C1 Men- Wembley v Wanneroo

Saturday, September 12, Bassendean Oval, 02:00 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi Final, Wanneroo 7.9 (51) defeated by Wembley 14.6 (90)

Head-to-Head this year: Wembley 1; Wanneroo 2

Wembley path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd, defeated Hamersley Carine and Wanneroo to qualify.

Wanneroo path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Hamersley Carine to qualify.

League Premierships: Wembley 30; Wanneroo 10

There are two kinds of losses in September: one helps correct a path and motivates a team to realign its focus; the other is an omen of further turmoil.

Wanneroo coach Daniel Acres hopes his side’s shock second semi-final loss to Wembley was the former.

The previously undefeated Roos’ quest to claim a first league premiership since 2022 hit an unexpected speed bump against the Magpies last fortnight, conceding 11 unanswered first-half goals to lose by 39 points at home.

Playing coach Daniel Acres said he used the defeat to teach his young side the intensity required to compete in finals.

“It was probably a bit of a wake-up call to highlight where our vulnerabilities are. I told the playing group that I think the loss will be the biggest thing to propel our development,” he said.

“After the game we identified there were 15 guys out of the 23 who were playing their first senior final, so we have tried to turn that point into a strength for us in the last couple of weeks.” 

The Roos responded in last Saturday’s preliminary final, surviving a strong challenge from Hamersley Carine.

After the Hawks closed within a goal of the lead in the last quarter, Wanneroo kicked the final three goals to spare themselves the blushes of a straight-sets finals exit.

Acres, PFL’s Coach of the Year, said his side would need to lift their pressure to combat the Magpies’ forward firepower.

Wembley forward Josh Richards has amassed 90 goals for the season and had a day out against the Roos in the second semi-final, kicking seven majors.

“The key thing first and foremost is getting our contested game going, which allows our defenders to come into play. Pressure on the ball, from a defensive standpoint, is a huge necessity to have,” Acres said. 

Wanneroo and Wembley were both victims of a B Grade logjam last season, succumbing to relegation despite securing a combined 13 victories.

Wembley coach Brendan Arundel said his equally youthful playing group had shown “steely resolve” to earn promotion straight back up to B Grade after last season’s shock relegation.

The Magpies have found commanding form in the finals, easily beating Hamersley Carine in the qualifying final and then upsetting the Roos on the road to book their tickets to Bassendean Oval.

“We have seen gradual improvement every week over the last six weeks [to get here], which means we are probably hitting form at the right time,” Arundel said.

“In no way, shape or form will we be taking our foot off the pedal.”

Ones to watch:

Although his damaging spearhead in Richards had enjoyed a stellar year, Arundel said the work of tall forwards Joshua Sukuroski (53 goals) and Benjamin Schuhkraft allowed the elusive forward to get off the chain.

Current stand-in captain Matthew Volaric and lockdown back Brodie Ginbey provide defensive security for the Magpies, while contested beast Lachlan Martinis and accumulator Aiden Austen have also been important midfielders in the impressive HIF Health Insurance Finals Series run so far.

Coach Acres commands his mob of Roos from centre half back and has led them to an impressive 19-1 season.

League best and fairest Adam Gerritsen has stood tall in the ruck for Wanneroo, the man mountain using his sheer strength and power to provide first use to his midfielders.

Inside player Tom MacGillivray wins the grunt ball for the Roos at the coalface, while attacking wingman Cooper Schulz knows how to find a goal, providing his side with flair and spark.

Athletic full forward Darcy Montgomery will return for Wanneroo after being suspended for striking in the loss to the Magpies.

The “gifted” forward will be an important inclusion for his side after he missed the preliminary final victory over Hamersley Carine.

Budget Car and Truck Rental C2 Men- Kingsley v Piara Waters

Saturday, September 12, Revo Fitness Stadium, 02:00 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi Final, Piara Waters 6.7 (43) defeated Kingsley (0)

Head-to-Head this year: Kingsley 1; Piara Waters 2

Kingsley path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd, defeated Canning Vale and Piara Waters to qualify.

Piara Waters path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Belmont Districts to qualify.

League Premierships: Kingsley 2; Piara Waters 3

Saturday has the potential to be one of the biggest days in Kingsley Football Club’s 32-year history.

The Cats will be hoping to claim a clean sweep across three grades at Revo Fitness Stadium, with their reserves and Colts sides all qualifying for the Grand Final.

Kingsley coach Andrew Fisher said he would tell his players to enjoy the potentially fleeting big occasion.

The Cats’ last league premiership was a B Grade triumph back in 2018 over North Fremantle, a side Fisher featured in.

“Our ambition over the last few years has been to climb back up the grades, so I think [this season] has just been a reward for all our hard work. From a League team point of view, we have been a bit starved of success since 2018,” he said.

“Across the board, there are so many people that have put in effort on and off the field.”

Standing in Kingsley’s way is a Piara Waters team that dominated the home-and-away season, finishing as minor premiers with only one loss.

But the Falcons were forced to take the scenic route to this weekend’s decider after the Cats knocked them off by 19 points in last fortnight’s second semi-final.

After beating Belmont Districts by 17 points in the preliminary final, Piara Waters coach Michael Florio said his young side had returned to being first to the football after their loss the week prior.

“It has all come together this season, we have always been really good in the contest and a physical side, but this year we have also really improved on our skills, and we are starting to move the ball how we want to,” he said.

Leading his team to finals in each of his eight seasons as coach, Florio said he had a 2-0 undefeated record in grand finals he intended to keep. 

“You can get caught up in a grand final by losing your composure and trying to do everything too fast, so we just need to take it all in and focus on our strengths,” he said.

Ones to watch:

Small forward Andre Amonini has been a livewire for Kingsley with 71 goals, and Fisher expects him to receive “tough” attention from the Piara Waters defenders after he caused issues for the Falcons in the second semi-final.

Up the other end, defender Brodie Robinson has been an intercept-marking weapon for the Cats since crossing over from Ellenbrook this year.

Co-captain Glen Hackett returned for Piara Waters on Saturday after being sidelined with a calf injury.

The key-position-sized Hackett provides a versatile option for Florio, being able to play at full forward or centre half back.

Florio said youth had driven his team’s success, with Marco Madaffari winning the club’s best and fairest last season as a Colts-aged player.

Graduating Colts players Kade McMillan, Patrick Shaw and Ben McLauchlan both got extended tastes of league footy in 2026 and will play important roles on Saturday.

Falcon Joshua Hall also finished equal second in the C2 best and fairest voting, capping off a big season.

Budget Car and Truck Rental C3 Men- East Fremantle AFC v Willetton

Saturday, September 12, Gosnells Oval, 02:25 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, East Fremantle AFC 13.6 (84) defeated Willetton 6.10 (46)

Head-to-Head this year: East Fremantle AFC 3; Willetton 0

East Fremantle AFC path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Willetton to qualify.

Willetton path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd, defeated Warnbro and Kenwick to qualify.

League Premierships: East Fremantle AFC 5; Willetton 3

Willetton will need to achieve something that has eluded them all season if they are to claim their first senior premiership since 2007 on Saturday- beating East Fremantle.

The Eagles will arrive at Gosnells Oval on Saturday fresh, knocking off the Blues for the third time this year to earn the week off and the first spot in the Grand Final.

A former senior coach at Willetton, East Fremantle boss Fabian Dawson said his minor premiers had earned their spot in the decider by holding a squad mentality.

“We have held this motto; it is not about the ego, it’s about the logo,” Dawson said on his playing group.

“The buy-in from everyone into the one club mentality has helped us create a team where we can throw the magnets around, blokes can play in any position and not feel out of place,” he said.

Willetton earned another crack at the Eagles by beating Kenwick by 44 points in last weekend’s preliminary final.

It will be the club’s first league grand final since 2018.

Although Willetton coach Andrew McBean conceded East Fremantle had their measure so far this season, he felt his side had now adjusted to the intensity of finals football after several years without September action.

“Our players certainly understand the finals are a new season. It is a lot harder, and it takes four quarters of effort to get a victory,” he said.

In his second year at the helm, McBean said his side had benefitted from welcoming former players back to the club.

“Our focus last year was just to steady the ship after slipping down the grades, so we have really focused on developing and educating our players this year, and it’s great we have been able to play some good football,” he said.

Ones to watch:

Dawson was firm that the Eagles reached their position through a full team effort.

In a continued effort to keep his lineup versatile, he moved captain Fletcher Kerspien to half back in the last few weeks of the season, transforming the midfielder into a rebounding and attacking force from defence.

The dynamic and elusive Graeme Miller is also one to watch for East Fremantle. A supreme finisher inside 50 from even the tightest angles, Miller will be an attacking weapon for the Eagles against the stingy Willetton defence.

Back-to-back league best and fairest Jackson Bennett shares captaincy duties at Willetton with dynamic small forward Chan Woo Park.

Alongside the talented Bennett, McBean said his side would need to gain midfield ascendancy through on-ball hunting from Harry Gale and Cameron Taylor.

Former Swan Districts full forward Matthew Jukes has also joined Willetton this season, and provides the Blues with experience and an exceptional target inside 50.

Budget Car and Truck Rental C4 Men- High Wycombe v Manning

Saturday, September 12, Burrendah Reserve, 03:00 PM

Last Time They Met: Round 11, Manning 6.4 (40) defeated by High Wycombe 9.11 (65)

Head-to-Head this year: High Wycombe 2; Manning 0

High Wycombe path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Lynwood Ferndale to qualify.

Team path to the Grand Final: Finished 4th, defeated SNESA, Coolbellup and Lynwood Ferndale to qualify.

League Premierships: High Wycombe 5, Manning 2

High Wycombe coach David Jacobson has had to rebuild his Bulldogs side from the ground up since taking over as senior coach last year.

Struggling for numbers in E grade with only one team as recently as two seasons ago, Jacobson has overseen a significant transformation at the football club, welcoming nearly 50 new players to Scott Reserve over the past 12 months.

Jacobson said he didn’t expect to play finals, let alone a grand final, so quickly since taking over.

“I thought rebuilding a club like we have had to would take a lot longer, but the support that has been given to me from the committee, members and playing group has been nothing short of amazing,” he said.

“It wasn’t so much about being competitive on field, it was about building the culture off the field, which has helped us go a long way [this year].”

The Bulldogs will face a young Manning team galvanised by a preliminary win over a fast-finishing Lynwood Ferndale.

Since dropping four of their first five games, the Rippers have been on a tear, winning 10 games in a row heading into Saturday’s grand final.

Manning coach Daniel Spencer said consistent improvement had been key for his young side’s development as they built into their HIF Health Insurance Finals Series campaign, qualifying from fourth spot.

“I think it gives you momentum coming from fourth and fifth because every time you rock up it is sudden death, so that pressure becomes quite familiar,” he said.

“Our average age is probably between 21-22, so it is a really young and up-and-coming group…they have just started to believe that anything is possible.”

Ones to watch:

Jacobson said his captain Noah Criddle-White had been instrumental in the club’s recent recruiting push, wooing multiple former players back to “The Kennel” for 2026.

Criddle-White has kicked 79 goals this season, the most in C4, and will be the Bulldogs’ main attacking target.

Club team of the Decade star Jayden Magro returned to the club after eight years, having earned state representative spots for WA and the NT in the interim.

Former high-flying West Coast Eagles and Claremont forward Gerrick Weedon also joined High Wycombe this season to line up alongside former Swan Districts utility Graham Jetta, rounding out a glittering list of talent.

All have played important roles in getting the Bulldogs into their first league grand final since 2021.

Although Jackson Steele has kicked 68 majors this season for the Rippers, Spencer said his team’s forward line had contributed evenly over the past three weeks.

Ace Tinlin has starred for the Rippers since returning from an ACL injury, the well-built inside midfielder finishing third in this season’s league best and fairest.

Returning to the Rippers after a five-year sabbatical from footy, Joel Ukich heads Manning’s back six and will face the task of nullifying one of High Wycombe’s attacking weapons.

Budget Car and Truck Rental C5 Men- Whitford v Rossmoyne

Saturday, September 12, Wanneroo Showgrounds, 02:30 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, Rossmoyne 7.3 (45) defeated by Whitford 8.13 (0)

Head-to-Head this year: Whitford 0; Team 0

Whitford path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd, defeated Baldivis and Rossmoyne to qualify.

Rossmoyne path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Rossmoyne to qualify.

League Premierships: Whitford 9, Rossmoyne 3

One of the PFL’s biggest clubs clashes against one of its smallest in this season’s C5 decider.

Boasting only two men’s senior sides, Rossmoyne coach Troy Langford said he saw his “small” club as a David against Goliaths.

“It has been 13 years since our last flag and in our 30th year it would be huge for a little club like Rossmoyne [to win the premiership],” he said.

Langford believed his side got back to focusing on their own game in their victory over Safety Bay in last week’s preliminary final.

The victory means Rossmoyne get a rematch with second semi-final opponents Whitford after the previously undefeated Rhinos were knocked off by the Warriors in a major boilover last fortnight.

“Against Safety Bay we went back to our game style which did us well for 18 rounds,” Langford said.

“We are definitely less experienced than Whitford are; they are a big club, and a lot of their guys have played higher grade footy, but hopefully we can use that to our advantage and run them off their feet.”

A side with a mix of players from a successful reserves side that won multiple premierships and a C5 team that had agonisingly lost consecutive preliminary finals, second-year C5 League coach Lewis Longthorn described his Warriors as a “mixed bag”.

The playing coach said his Whitford Thirds side had executed on carefully laid set plans to upset Rossmoyne in the second semi-final.

“If we are spending time away from your wife and kids, you want to be having fun and winning games of footy, like we have,” he said.

“There is a lot of motivation across the group, so I am looking forward to a great contest against Rossmoyne again.”

Ones to watch:

Forward line firepower headlines this grand final matchup.

Forced to change tactics after losing star full forward Matt Koutsoukis to a fractured foot in the second semi-final defeat, Revis Alone has become the new centre point of the Rhinos’ attacking forays.

Alone has kicked 44 goals for the season, including a bag of 10 and 7.

Competition best and fairest Koutsoukis enjoyed an incredible season in front of the sticks for the Rhinos, kicking 104 goals, but will miss the grand final in a blow for his side.

Teammate Aiden D’Souza finished second in the league’s best and fairest and is another of Rossmoyne’s key contributors.

Longthorn said his Whitford side had also improved its forward line in 2026.

The Warriors welcomed dynamic forward Harri Fox from Broome Bulls into their lineup this year, complementing forward Chris Pugh, who has slotted 44 majors this season, the second-most in C5.

Fox also bagged 10 goals earlier in the season against North Mandurah.

“We have had some real firepower to work with,” Longthorn said.

Experienced midfielders like former league captain Michael Waddington and Ben Miller have also been critical for Whitford in a HIF Health Insurance Finals Series campaign that has seen them qualify for the decider from third spot.

Budget Car and Truck Rental E1 North- Wanneroo v North Beach

Saturday, September 12, HIF Health Insurance Oval, 04:30 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, Wanneroo 16.5 (101) defeated North Beach 3.7 (25)

Head-to-Head this year: Wanneroo 2; North Beach 1

Wanneroo path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd, defeated Baldivis and Rossmoyne to qualify.

North Beach path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd, defeated West Coast and Kingsway to qualify.

Wanneroo have been the pace setters all season in E1 North, easily brushing aside North Beach in the second semi-final to qualify for Saturday’s big dance.

The Roos finished eight points clear of the Tigers on top of the ladder, and proved why they finished as minor premiers in their recent 76-point win over their eventual grand final opponents.

But a stronger North Beach side will likely face up on Saturday than the one Wanneroo faced last fortnight.

The Tigers also gave the rampant Roos their only loss this season, edging them by a goal in Round 15.

Wanneroo were held goalless until halfway through the third term.

North Beach beat Kingsway in a tight preliminary final to give them a chance of replicating that result on Saturday night under lights.

Nathan Adler kicked seven goals in the Tigers’ victory. 

The spearhead has kicked 62 majors from just 13 games this season and will be a concern for Wanneroo coach Scott Conway.

Former West Perth forward Marc Crisp won this year’s E2 best and fairest and joined the Tigers E1 side on the park on Saturday in a handy inclusion.

For Wanneroo, captain Ari Cohen has led from the front across the Roos midfield and half forward.

Cohen was a runaway winner in the E1 medal count on Monday night, the pacy and smart midfielder finishing 12 votes clear on top.

Greg Cannon is one of the experienced heads that have characterised the Roos this season, moving into the midfield to great effect.

Agile and tall centre half-back Scott Bourne gives the Roos class from half-back and is dominant aerially, while Angus Brunton offers Wanneroo a strong leading target deep inside 50, having kicked multiple bags of 10 this season.

Budget Car and Truck Rental E1 South- Brentwood Booragoon v Maddington

Saturday, September 12, Bassendean Oval, 04:30 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, Maddington 5.8 (38) defeated Brentwood Booragoon 6.4 (40)

Head-to-Head this year: Brentwood Booragoon 1; Maddington 2

Brentwood Booragoon path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd, defeated Bullcreek Leeming and Maddington to qualify.

Maddington path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Bullcreek Leeming to qualify.

Upsetting the previously undefeated Maddington in the second semi-final, Brentwood Booragon have all the momentum heading into Saturday’s E1 South finale.

The Bulldogs have won their last seven games by an average winning margin of 94 points, but only snuck over the line in both their finals wins, besting Bullcreek Leeming by a goal and their grand final opponents by two points.

Brentwood Booragon have piled on some mammoth scores in their winning streak, crossing 150 points on three occasions and hitting 232 points in Round 15 against Kelmscott.

With six players over 30 and eight over 40 in their second semi-final, it’s a Dad’s Army of sorts that will run out for the Bulldogs on Saturday.

Mitchell Henderson coaches an experienced Brentwood Booragoon side littered with former league premiership players who know how to handle the big occasion of a grand final.

Full forward Ryan Gillam was best on ground in the club’s 2013 C4 premiership and proved he’s still got it by finishing in the top five of this season’s competition best and fairest.

Midfielder Matt Mills provides great service to Gillam up forward 13 years on from the flag win, also featuring in the triumph over Swan View.

His brother Michael Mills is also a seven-time best and fairest winner at the Bulldogs, while veteran Dwayne Unwin will line up in his 418th game on Grand Final day.

Brentwood Booragoon will take on a Maddington team who move the ball freely and know how to punish mistakes on the scoreboard.

Maddington appeared certain to claim their first premiership since 2016 at the start of the HIF Health Insurance Finals Series, but the Bulls have had to go through the back door to qualify, accounting for Bullcreek Leeming in last week’s preliminary final.

Coach John Dunn will lead the Bulls in their third Grand Final in a row, having lost their past two deciders.

Captain and tough nut Jake Moreton is Maddington’s main man in the middle, setting the standard at the contest.

Mark Thomas propels the side’s trademark run-and-carry, the half-back and wingman driving the team into attack.

Dennis Colbung and Stephen Kane have been Maddington’s one-two punch up forward, the two small forwards combining for 80 goals this season.

Budget Car and Truck Rental E2 North- Coolbinia v Kalamunda

Saturday, September 12, Revo Fitness Stadium, 04:35 PM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, Coolbinia 6.7 (43) defeated Kalamunda 6.3 (39)

Head-to-Head this year: Coolbinia 3; Kalamunda 0

Coolbinia path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Kalamunda to qualify.

Kalamunda path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd, defeated Nollamara twice to qualify

Minor premiers Coolbinia were the first into this season’s E2 decider but will take on a Kalamunda side that nearly pipped them in their most recent encounter.

The second semi-final defeat was a sign of significant improvement from the Cougars, who lost to the Falcons by 37 and 58 points respectively.

Coolbinia recovered from a last-round defeat to North Beach to win the second semi-final, ending the Falcons’ eight-game winning streak.

Co-captains Luke Florido and Troy Hayter lead a well-structured system underpinned by clinical skills.

Hayter, a small, opportunistic crumber, and Florido, a crafty goalkicker who knows how to get into space, will combine with full forward Joseph Bin Omar on Saturday.

Bin Omar kicked seven majors against Kalamunda earlier in the season and will likely receive heavy attention from the Cougars’ backs.

Onballer Stirling Molloy also offers speed and aggression at the contest for the Falcons. 

Kalamunda outlasted Nollamara by 26 points in their preliminary final, with Blair Southcott kicking six goals.

Returning from an ACL injury, Southcott has kicked 19 goals in the last four weeks and will be central to the Cougars’ scoring against the number one ranked Falcons defence.

Kalamunda’s team is built around seasoned campaigners with experience playing league football.

Playing coach Braydon Becker leads as his side’s ruck as an athletic and mobile big man.

Reliable captain Matt Mercer will be hoping to finally have a premiership medal around his neck on Saturday night, having played four grand finals for Kalamunda without winning one.

Inside midfielder and Colts product Jaya Terima finished third in the league best and fairest after playing in Kalamunda’s C1 grand final loss to Melville last year and is a key for the Cougars.

Budget Car and Truck Rental E2 South- Manning v Curtin Uni Wesley

Saturday, September 12, Burrendah Reserve, 10:30 AM

Last Time They Met: Second Semi-Final, Curtin Uni Wesley 5.5 (35) defeated by Manning 15.9 (99)

Head-to-Head this year: Manning 1; Curtin Uni Wesley 0

Manning path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd, defeated Piara Waters and Curtin Uni Wesley to qualify.

Curtin Uni Wesley path to the Grand Final: Finished 1st, defeated Secret Harbour to qualify.

Manning continued their sublime form heading into the finals by claiming comfortable wins over Piara Waters and minor premiers Curtin Uni Wesley to earn their place in Saturday morning’s decider.

The Rippers’ last loss of the season came to the Tigers back in June.

They are currently on a nine-game unbeaten run.

Curtin Uni Wesley won the previous two encounters against Manning by 45 and 31 points, but the Rippers finally knocked off the Tigers in the second semi-final to confirm their place in the grand final.

Manning coach Liam Pearce has found a consistent lineup over the past two months, playing a controlled game style that utilises the full width of the ground.

Captain Sheldon Hough has been critical for the Rippers in their finals push, the handy utility leading from the front as Pearce’s Mr Fixit.

Curtin Uni Wesley survived a strong final quarter push from Secret Harbour in their preliminary final, holding on to win by six points.

The Tigers entered the game having lost three of their past four matches, their only win coming against the Dockers by a solitary point in Round 17.

The ruck battle will be a crucial factor in this matchup.

Manning’s dynamic ruckman Lewis Edwards can hit the scoreboard, while Curtin Uni’s Zack Burrows punches above his weight around the ground with his two-way running ability.

One of Curtin Uni Wesley’s most devastating weapons is Dylan Keyes, an outside midfielder who can burn off his opponents and outmark them in a pack. 

Another crucial piece in the Tigers lineup is Nic Caputo,  the minor premiers’ main target up forward. 

Skilled on both sides of his body, the medium forward is sharp on the lead and the ground and will be an attacking threat on Saturday.

By Spencer Robertson