While there were no real surprises to spring up from the final round of action, the top six is now set in stone, paving the way for what is set to be a fascinating finals series.
Reigning premier Murchison-Toolamba has once again claimed the minor premiership, finishing the year with a 15-1 record and making sure of top spot with a 26.21 (177) to 2.5 (17) victory over Violet Town.
A second successive finish in first was no sure thing for the Hoppers heading into the final game level on points with Lancaster, but they never looked troubled at Murchison Recreation Reserve, making light work of the Towners to clinch a 160-point victory and make sure of top spot.
While the home side was leading by a healthy 64 points by half-time, it was in the second half that the real damage was done, with the Hoppers piling on 17 goals to two after the main break to blow the visitors away.
Key forward James Lloyd bagged seven goals in the win, meaning he will have to wait until at least the semi-final against Lancaster to bring up the ton, leaving him stranded on 97 goals at the end of the home and away season, while Ashton Cashion booted six in a best-on-ground display.
Lancaster did all it could in pursuit of the minor premiership, but will ultimately finish second despite a 22.15 (147) to 1.1 (7) trouncing of Stanhope at Lancaster Recreation Reserve.
The Wombats were at their brutal best, limiting the Lions to s single behind after quarter-time, while the likes of captain Charlie McLay and vice-skipper Tom Davies went to work, both booting three goals in the victory.
But all plaudits were reserved for Morrie Serra, who brought up double digits with a haul of 10 goals to be named best afield in the win.
The Wombats, who finish with a 15-1 record, will enjoy a week off to refresh ahead of a tantalising semi-final clash against Murchison-Toolamba on August 30 at Longwood Recreation Reserve.
Shepparton East had already locked up third spot heading into round 18, but finished the season on a strong note, blitzing Merrigum to clinch a 28.20 (188) to 1.0 (6) victory at Merrigum Recreation Reserve.
The Eagles showed the struggling Bulldogs no mercy with 13 individual goal kickers piling on the pain, headlined by six goals to Lachie Keady, while skipper Ryan Pfeiffer and Morgan Randall each added four in a dominant showing.
With 13 wins and three losses for the season, East heads into finals adrift of the top two, but no less dangerous, and will still prove a tough opponent to overcome.
Rushworth will be the first to try and overthrow it this weekend when they meet in the first elimination final, with the Tigers locking up sixth spot following a mammoth 26.10 (166) to 5.5 (35) victory over Undera at Undera Recreation Reserve.
Vice-captain Ethan Arnold led from the front at the weekend, adding two majors as the best player on the ground, while Riley Arnold booted six goals to continue a strong run of form that has seen him kick 16 goals and appear in the best three times across the past month.
The victory caps a stunning season for Rushworth, which will remarkably play finals two years after failing to field a senior football side in 2023, and it will enjoy a little bit of a home ground boost in its fight against the Eagles, too, with the game scheduled to be played at Ironbark Stadium on Saturday.
Longwood capped a historic season with a 90-point triumph on Saturday, easily accounting for Tallygaroopna with an 18.19 (127) to 5.7 (37) victory on the road at Tallygaroopna Recreation Reserve.
The visiting Redlegs proved too polished for Tally, led by reigning club best-and-fairest Jye Formosa and coach Jordan Formosa, as they lock away fifth spot with an 11-2 record and head to the post-season for the first time since joining the league in 2010.
They will face Nagambie in the second elimination final at Merrigum on Sunday, with the Lakers overcoming a spirited Avenel to claim a 12.15 (87) to 9.7 (61) victory at Nagambie Recreation Reserve.
It was a vital victory for Nagambie, which had lost its past two games and three of its past four, to regain some momentum heading into finals.
It was done the hard way, however, with the Swans claiming an eight-point lead at quarter-time and, while the Lakers were in front by the half-time break, it was only just, as Avenel hung in to trail by two points.
Nagambie managed to pull away in the second half, securing the 26-point win, as it looks to regain some of its early season form heading into this weekend’s do-or-die clash.
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