BUNDOORA, VIC. (NFNL HQ). — The stage is set for a blockbuster Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) Division 1 Grand Final, with Heidelberg and Greensborough set to battle it out for the 2026 premiership at Preston City Oval.
The Tigers enter the decider as minor premiers and will be chasing a remarkable fifth consecutive premiership, while Greensborough has taken the long road to the Grand Final after finishing fifth at the end of the home-and-away season.
For Heidelberg, Saturday presents another opportunity to continue one of the most dominant periods in NFNL history.
The Tigers finished the home-and-away season with a 17-1 record and have been the benchmark of Division 1 throughout the season.
Heidelberg has also had the wood over Greensborough throughout 2026, winning both meetings between the sides.
The first came in Round 4, when the Tigers celebrated their 150th anniversary with a 58-point victory at Warringal Park, before producing a dominant second-half performance to win by 64 points in Round 14.
However, Greensborough comes into the Grand Final with plenty of confidence after producing three consecutive finals victories to reach the decider.
The Borough finished fifth after the home-and-away season before defeating Bundoora in the Elimination Final, Diamond Creek in the Semi Final and Montmorency by 12 points in last Sunday’s Preliminary Final.
Their Preliminary Final victory was another example of the resilience Greensborough has shown throughout its finals campaign.
After trailing by three points at quarter time against Montmorency, the Borough fought back to lead by five points at half time before holding a three-point advantage at the final change.
Two quick goals early in the final term helped Greensborough establish an 18-point lead, with the side eventually holding on for an 86-74 victory.
The midfield battle
One of the biggest battles will come in the middle, with Heidelberg’s Luke Bunker, Dylan Clarke, Lachlan Wilson and Tom Keys set to go head-to-head with Greensborough’s Tom and Will Mitchell, Blake Watson, Jackson Hasler and Harrison Andronaco.
Bunker is fresh off his third-straight Coaches MVP award, while Keys has been one of the Tigers’ most important players throughout the season. Wilson has spent the second half of the season with Williamstown in the VFL so there is plenty of experience in the middle for the Tigers.
Tom Mitchell brings plenty of AFL experience to a Greensborough side that will be hoping his presence can help change the result from the two home-and-away meetings, with Sandringham Blake Watson coming off a standout performance against Montmorency last weekend. Greensborough will need their unsung heroes
Ruck battle
The ruck battle will also be crucial, with 2026 Rosbrook Medallist Sam Gilmore set to face arguably the best ruck duo in the competition in Nathan Howard and Jamie Smith.
Gilmore has been one of Heidelberg’s most important players throughout the season and will now face a difficult challenge against Howard and Smith, who have formed a formidable combination for Greensborough, particularly in the finals where they have troubled all opposition rucks.
With both midfields boasting plenty of quality around the stoppages, the battle in the ruck could have a significant influence on who gets first use of the football on Grand Final day.
Battles inside 50 at both ends
Heidelberg possesses plenty of firepower in attack, led by league-leading goalkicker Jordan Smith and fellow key forward Zane Barzen who finished one goal behind him in the home and away season tallies.
The Tigers have consistently found ways to hit the scoreboard throughout the season and will look to their forwards to make the most of their opportunities against a Greensborough defence that has stood up throughout the finals series.
Jackson Davies and Jack Johnston have both been in great form for the Boro and William McFawn should get the job on Barzen.
At the other end, Greensborough will look to Zak McCubbin, who has found plenty of form at the right time of year. The Boro livewire has kicked 12 goals across Greensborough’s three finals and has been a constant headache for opposition defenders both in the air and on the ground.
Expect him and Heidelberg vice-captain Daniel O’Dwyer to cross paths throughout the day in an entertaining duel. Brody Glenn is one of the best small forwards in the competition and will need a big day if Greensborough are to get the job done.
History on the line for both sides
Saturday’s Grand Final will be the first time Heidelberg and Greensborough have met in a Division 1 premiership decider since 2014.
For Heidelberg, there is the opportunity to claim a fifth consecutive premiership and surpass the club’s four-peat record of 2006-2009 (and Northcote Park’s DVFL run from 1999-2002), while Greensborough will be aiming to cap off an impressive finals run with its first Division 1 premiership since 2014. It would be a flag for the ages if they are able to pull it off.
The Borough has already overcome Bundoora, Diamond Creek and Montmorency to reach the Grand Final but now faces unquestionably its biggest challenge of the season.
With Heidelberg’s consistency throughout the season meeting a Greensborough side full of finals momentum, Saturday’s Grand Final shapes as a fitting conclusion to the NFNL 2026 Division 1 season.
