TLC HEALTHCARE FINALS REVIEW - SEMI FINALS 2026
- Gabrielle Morri
- 11 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Sunday 23rd August 2026
MATCH OF THE ROUND Bentleigh U14 Mixed HEELIS def. Highett/Cheltenham Panthers U14 Mixed FAHEY by 2 points
Bentleigh 7.5 (47) def. Panthers 6.9 (45) | Highett Reserve
Photo: Belle Hand
It was one for the history books at Highett Reserve, with a two-point margin deciding the finals path for both sides in a match that stayed alive until the final siren.
Bentleigh started sharply, kicking 3.2 in the opening term while holding the Panthers to 1.1, taking a 13-point lead into quarter time. The Panthers flipped the script in the second quarter, piling on 3.5 and keeping Bentleigh scoreless to flip the momentum and carrying a 10-point lead going into half time.
The third term saw the contest heat up, with Bentleigh finding their groove again and adding 3.3 while restricting the Panthers to a scoreless quarter, reclaiming the lead and setting up a gripping final term with a five-point margin.
The last quarter delivered high-stakes finals footy. The the Panthers added 2.3, but Bentleigh held firm with 1.0 of their own, the two-point margin being enough to secure them a spot in the Grand Final.
The Panthers remain firmly in the premiership race and now move into next week's Preliminary final, where they will face Murrumbeena U14 Mixed LIONS.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Hampton Rovers U18 Girls GREEN def. AJAX U18 Girls JACKETTES by 5 points
Hampton Rovers 3.9 (27) def. AJAX 3.4 (22) | Boss James Reserve
The stakes couldn't have been higher in the U18 Girls Div 2 Elimination Final, with Hampton delivering one of the greatest finals comebacks to keep their season alive and book a spot in next week's Preliminary Final.
Hampton opened the match as the stronger side, kicking 1.3 to AJAX's 0.1 to take an eight-point lead into quarter time. AJAX responded sharply in the second term, adding 2.1 and holding Hampton to just 0.3, flipping the momentum and taking a narrow lead into the main break.
The third quarter belonged to AJAX again, as they added another goal and held Hampton to a single behind, stretching the margin to just over a goal and keeping the game in the balance heading into the final term.
It all came down to the final quarter, with Hampton kicking 2.2 to AJAX's 0.2, overturning the deficit and ending with a four-point victory to Hampton.
Hampton will now face St Kilda City U18 Girls FEFERKRANZ to fight for a place in the Grand Final.
AJAX U14 Mixed FALCONS def. Ormond U14 Mixed CHRISTRUP by 1 point
AJAX 4.7 (31) def. Ormond (5.0) | Koornang Park
Photo: Guy Cohen
AJAX edged out Ormond by 1 point in a tense Elimination Final at Koornang Park, surviving a late push to keep their season alive.
AJAX opened the match with 1.2 to Ormond's 1.0, taking a narrow two-point lead into quarter time. The second term saw Ormond hit back, kicking 2.0 while AJAX added another 1.2, flipping the margin and giving Ormond a two-point lead at the main break.
The third quarter tightened the contest further. Ormond added 1.0 to extend their lead, but AJAX stayed in touch with three behinds to head into the final term five points down.
The last quarter was gripping, with AJAX kicking 2.0 while Ormond added 1.0, swinging the lead back their way and setting up a frantic finish. The siren sounded with AJAX ahead by just one point - enough to put them through to the Preliminary Final and end Ormond's season.
AJAX will play in the Preliminary Final next week against St Paul's McKinnon U14 Mixed Raymond for their chance to play in the Grand Final.
Ormond U17.5 Boys EDWARDS def. Waverley Park Hawks WYLLIE by 5 points
Ormond 10.8 (68) def. Waverley Park Hawks 9.9 (63) | Highett Reserve
Ormond survived a fierce late push from the Waverley Park Hawks to claim a five-point victory in their Qualifying Final clash.
Ormond came out firing on all cylinders, kicking 6.2 in the opening term to the Hawks' 3.1, building a 19-point lead at quarter time. The Hawks steadied in the second quarter, narrowing the margin to 14 points at the main break.
The third term tightened the contest further, with Ormond adding 1.2 while the Hawks responded with 1.6, trimming the gap to ten points and setting up a tense final quarter with the momentum beginning to shift.
The Hawks threw everything at the last term, kicking 2.1 and threatening to overturn the deficit, but Ormond found the answers when it mattered most. Their 1.2 in the final quarter proved enough to keep the Hawks at bay, securing a 68-63 win and a place in the Grand Final.
The Hawks move on to the Preliminary final next week, where they will face St Peters / Murrumbeena LIONS for a second chance to make the Grand Final.
PLAYER OF THE ROUND
Ted Siapantas
East Brighton Vampires U11 Mixed ADAMS
This week's Player of the Round is Ted Siapantas of the East Brighton Vampires. Ted was a ball magnet and got plenty of touches while zipping in and out of contests throughout the game, and even kicked a goal to help seal a win for East Brighton Vampires.
