Who to Watch: 2026 D Grade Grand Finals

EGT D Colts – University v North Beach

Saturday, September 5, Richard Guelfi Reserve, 10.30am

Last Time They Met: Round 16, North Beach 6.2 (38) defeated by University 13.5 (83)

Head-to-Head this year: University 4; North Beach 0

University path to the Grand Final: Finished 2nd. Defeated Fremantle CBC

North Beach path to the Grand Final: Finished 3rd. Defeated Trinity Aquinas then Fremantle CBC

University and North Beach will meet for a fifth time this season when they battle for the inaugural EGT D Colts premiership.

University enter the decider with an unbeaten record against North Beach in 2026, winning all four encounters between the sides. That record will give them confidence, although Grand Final football presents an entirely different challenge.

After finishing second and third respectively, both sides have had to navigate the finals series to earn their place in the season’s biggest game.

For the record:

Ones to watch:

University

Anthony Princi: The University captain leads from the front with his selfless two-way running, tackling and willingness to put his body on the line. His voice and leadership have been an important part of the side throughout the season.

Caden Hart: An attacking midfielder capable of impacting the game across the ground. Hart moves well through the midfield, finds dangerous positions and has a knack for hitting the scoreboard.

Benji Pritchard: University’s big man has played an important role in their midfield strength this season. Pritchard covers the ground well, provides a strong contest at stoppages and can also be sent forward when University need another target.

Max Francis: A centre-bounce bull who thrives on the work that can sometimes go unnoticed. Francis tackles hard, wins contested football and brings a physical presence around the stoppages.

North Beach

Riley Peck: A crafty small forward who can fly under the radar before making his presence felt. Peck has strong goal sense and looms as a dangerous player around North Beach’s forward line.

Michael Logan: A hard-working centre half-forward with a strong pair of hands. Logan works up and down the ground, provides North Beach with a target and is capable of converting from outside 50.

Nick Hilliard: A dependable full-back who reads the ball well in the air. Hilliard’s intercept marking and quality disposal make him an important part of the North Beach defence.

Jeremy Lewis: A hard-working half-forward whose defensive pressure is a feature of his game. Lewis has plenty of speed and can finish on the run from outside 50.

Budget Car and Truck Rental D Reserves – Fremantle CBC v University

Saturday, September 5, Richard Guelfi Reserve, 12.45pm

Last Time They Met: Round 18, University 8.4 (52) defeated Fremantle CBC 7.6 (48)

Head-to-Head this year: University 2; Fremantle CBC 1

Fremantle CBC path to the Grand Final: Finished 1^st. Defeated North Beach

University path to the Grand Final: Finished 4^th. Defeated North Fremantle then North Beach

There will be no shortage of experience across both teams, with Fremantle CBC and University each bringing players capable of influencing the game across every line.

For CBC, there are significant milestones and plenty of experience within the group, while University will look to its running power, defensive structure and contested work to make its mark on the Grand Final.

For the record:

Ones to watch:

Fremantle CBC

Brett Cooper: One of the first magnets on the coaches’ board each week, Cooper will line up for his 200th game in the green and gold. The key defender regularly takes the opposition’s biggest forward and has become the heart and soul of the CBC side.

Nick ‘Habibi’ Iannello: A midfielder capable of winning the football in difficult situations before using his explosive pace to break away. A consistent performer who has regularly featured prominently in PFL best and fairest voting, Iannello could have an even bigger day ahead, with the birth of his first child expected on Grand Final day.

Jacob Yensch: The 2026 co-captain returned to CBC in 2025 after time away and has quickly re-established himself as a leader of the group. A former Colts captain, Yensch brings determination, physicality and plenty of direction around the contest.

Sam Glazbrook: Yensch’s fellow co-captain joined CBC in 2024 and immediately became a premiership player. Known as ‘Mr Fix-It’, Glazbrook can be used down back, forward or through the midfield and provides plenty of quality by foot.

University

Blake Barrow: Don’t let the lanky frame fool you. Barrow is one of University’s hardest runners and covers enormous territory from the wing. He links through the middle, gets back to support the defence and can push forward to hit the scoreboard.

Finn Linnston: The general across centre half-back, Linnston thrives in one-on-one contests and backs himself whenever the ball is in the air. His leadership and composure make him an important part of University’s defensive structure.

Samuel Moyle: A dangerous forward flanker who attacks every contest with intent. Moyle combines football smarts with relentless pressure and can hurt opponents either by hitting the scoreboard himself or creating opportunities for teammates.

Charles Wrigglesworth: An inside midfielder who seems happiest when the contest is at its toughest. Wrigglesworth’s willingness to win the hard ball, absorb pressure and keep working makes him an important presence around the stoppages.

Budget Car and Truck Rental D League – North Beach v Fremantle CBC

Saturday, September 5, Richard Guelfi Reserve, 3.00pm

Last Time They Met: Round 10, Fremantle CBC4.6 (30) defeated by North Beach 8.10 (58)

Head-to-Head this year: North Beach 2; Fremantle CBC 1

North Beach path to the Grand Final: Finished 1^st. Defeated University

Fremantle CBC path to the Grand Final: Finished 3^rd. defeated North Fremantle and University

North Beach and Fremantle CBC will bring plenty of experience into the D Grade decider, with both sides featuring players who have been around community football long enough to understand what Grand Final day demands.

North Beach will also celebrate a major milestone, with club stalwart Craig Hall set to play his 250th game in the red and yellow.

For the record:

Ones to watch:

North Beach

Blake Sawyer: The North Beach vice-captain is a goal-scoring midfielder whose height also makes him a dangerous option when resting deep forward. Sawyer has been a mainstay throughout the season and plays an important role in driving North Beach offensively from the midfield.

Brody and Corey Hinkley: The brothers have provided plenty of physicality in the ruck throughout the season. Brody, another vice-captain, has been a consistent presence for North Beach, while both are renowned for their follow-up work and relentless tackling around the contest.

PJ and Ronan Rose: With older brother Flynn unavailable, PJ and Ronan will carry the Rose family representation into the Grand Final. Both bring their own brand of X-factor, combining class and toughness and playing important roles in North Beach’s success this season.

Craig Hall: A North Beach stalwart who will notch his 250th game in the red and yellow on Grand Final day. ‘Hally’ provides enormous experience and leadership on the wing, while his ability to push deep forward makes him a difficult one-on-one match-up. His running, marking and ability at ground level remain important weapons for the Beach.

Fremantle CBC

Julian Velletri: A tall, strong and influential ruckman who can change games with his presence around the ground. Velletri competes hard, can kick important goals and has developed a habit of throwing himself horizontally for smothers when least expected. When he gets going, CBC often follows.

Jesse Floyd: Unassuming and extremely reliable in defence, Floyd has an uncanny ability to get a hand into contests he seemingly has no right reaching. His Inspector Gadget-like wingspan has spoiled plenty of opposition opportunities and he rarely gets beaten easily.

Blake Ayton: Mr Reliable. Ayton is a hard runner and consistent performer who gives everything from the opening siren to the last. He also brings plenty of energy and conversation to the group, along with a surprisingly strong singing voice. The only unresolved question may be whether he can convince everyone he is the better Ayton twin.

Angus Montgomery: A strong and dependable centre half-back who has become someone CBC can trust to get the job done each week. Montgomery is versatile enough to be dangerous forward, although his form in defence has made it increasingly difficult for the coaches to move him away from the back half.