Welcome to RSEA Park for the 2025 SFNL Bendigo Bank Division One grand final between Dingley & Cheltenham.
Yes it’s another edition of these two fighting it out for premiership glory. They’re like those two old sparring partners at the gym who just go hammer and tong at one another until one is left standing and that is what it’ll be at the end of today.
The Dingo’s have had one of the all time great seasons, finishing the home and away season with an imposing 17 win and 1 loss record and that loss only came at the hands of Springvale Districts way back in round 11.
While for Cheltenham this is their fourth consecutive senior grand final and they are looking for that all important term of “threepeaters” if they are successful here today.
For the Dingo’s retribution will be at the top of their minds wanting to make up for that two point grand final defeat to the Rosella’s last year and add to that already bursting trophy cabinet with their first senior men’s premiership cup since 2019.
During this finals series they’ve only needed the one match to get to where they are today after their seven point win over Cheltenham in the second semi final. On that afternoon they were able to keep the Rosella’s to two goals in three quarters of football before a Chelt burst in the last did put a scare through the camp until a late Marcus Tousaaint goal settled the nerves to see them through to another grand final.
While the Cheltenham finals campaign has looked like this. A four goal victory over the Dogs at Kalora Park during week one of the finals had them meet the Dingo’s which we just outlined which then turned into another meeting against the Dogs just last weekend where the scoreline was quite similar. A 28 point victory was more than enough to see the Zella’s through. Thanks to a two goal effort from Max Davis & best on ground efforts to Ben McDonnell & Sam Hayes we are set once again for a huge contest.
Cheltenham will have problems they will need to deal with all over the park with the likes of Lachie Benton & Adam Peacock who are utilities for the Dingo’s who can play in the middle and also sneak goals with damaging effect.
While the effect Chris Horton-Milne has had on this side since his return from Noble Park back to his junior club has been enormous with numbers that would make some elite players jealous at times. While Lucas Walmsley & captain Jackson Peet have turned back the clock with the slickness & always calm composure they possess when with the footy.
While main key forwards Tom Morecroft & Jack Ferraro have put up 82 goals between them during season 2025 but also watch out for Scanlan Lynch who’s been brillaint for a young lad fitting into a senior side.
Now for the big components to this Cheltenham side you automatically look at Jack Lonie to lead from the front, during 2025 he once again has put up massive numbers in terms of disposal and tackling. He again will be a massive factor for this Cheltenham side. While Sean Lai will look to continue his solid season after his back end to 2025 has been a shining light and his qualifying final effort made it shine even brighter. Also look for Rex Kilburn to put up huge tackling numbers throughout this one as he continues his dominance in that category.
Down back Sam Hayes who again has had a brilliant season finishing in the top five in the division one league best & fairest albeit ineligible for the award will look to cut off any forward attempts the Dingo’s make and look to find his targets with damaging effect while Daniel Vaughan & Jarryd Bloink will help massively too.
Max Davis isn’t big in stature but his 29 goals from the 12 senior games he has played in season 2025 is another driving factor to why they are here again today. While the Lonie boys have kicked 57 between them in 2025 and Luke Garnaut’s 22 have been very handy as well.
During 2025 the men from Dingley lead the season series three games to nil following wins in round one by 62 points and a 16 point victory back in round 12 and of course as mentioned the seven point semi final win.
But we throw previous records aside and it’s back to 0-0. This has been the best rivalry the SFNL has had in recent years and we get another exciting chapter today.
Will we see the Dingo’s finish off a near on perfect season with a perfect ending and see coach Zach Horsley finally lift up that cup?
Or will Cheltenham continue a dominant run of years and send off coach Justin Pickering with another premiership to his name?
