2025 Great Flinders Football League Grand Final Preview

🏆 Cummins – Hosted by Cummins Kapinnie Football Club

⏰ Note earlier start times to allow for presentations.

It all comes down to this. After a long season of twists, rivalries and finals drama, the 2025 Great Flinders Football League premiers will be crowned this Saturday at Cummins. Four huge Grand Final clashes are locked in, with premiership glory on the line from the first bounce of the Senior Colts through to the blockbuster A Grade decider.

For those who can’t make it to Cummins, the entire day will be livestreamed by On Eyre Media on the Great Flinders Football League Facebook page and YouTube channel. A reminder to beware of fake pages and links – you will never be asked to pay, with the coverage proudly brought to you by Community Bank Cummins and Port Lincoln Prestige.

Senior Colts – 9.00am

Tumby Bay Blues vs Cummins Kapinnie Cougars

The day kicks off with a cracking Senior Colts Grand Final between Tumby Bay and Cummins Kapinnie. The Blues have been the benchmark this year, winning both meetings comfortably. In Round 5, the Cougars were forced to forfeit, and in Round 12, Tumby Bay showed their class with an 11.12 (78) to 3.9 (27) victory.

This time, however, Cummins Kapinnie will field a stronger lineup. Key players Archer Hill and possibly Mitch Blacker return, and both are capable of turning a game with their ball use and composure under pressure. Their presence gives the Cougars belief that they can match it with Tumby Bay.

The Blues also welcome back reinforcements, with Leroy Richardson and William Viney set to return since these two sides last met. Both add depth and balance to a side already stacked with talent across every line. Tumby Bay’s ability to control contests and punish turnovers has been their hallmark all season.

For the Cougars to cause an upset, they’ll need to win clearances, deny Tumby Bay easy forward entries, and make the most of their own opportunities in front of goal. The Blues enter as favourites, but finals have a way of throwing up surprises if pressure is sustained.

Mini Colts – 10.45am

Tumby Bay Blues vs Cummins Rambler Magpies

The Mini Colts Grand Final sets up a fascinating contrast of styles. Tumby Bay have been dominant all year, while Ramblers are chasing an upset against the odds.

The results this season tell the story. In Round 2, Tumby Bay claimed a 6.2 (38) to 3.2 (20) win. By Round 9, they had stretched the gap with a 6.8 (44) to 1.0 (6) victory. And in the 2nd Semi Final two weeks ago, Tumby Bay made a statement with a resounding 11.10 (76) to 0.0 (0) result.

This match also brings a fascinating subplot, with the Mini Colts Best & Fairest winner Cyril Pedler (Ramblers) facing off against the runner-up Esix Curtis (Tumby Bay). Both have been standout performers all season and will no doubt play critical roles in shaping the result.

In that 2nd Semi Final, Tumby Bay’s best players were Zac Jefferson, Jed Lodge, Esix Curtis, Ethan Lawrie, Rafael Lawrie, and Levi Robinson, all of whom combined strong tackling pressure with clean ball use. For Ramblers, the top contributors were Freddie Fitzgerald, Cyril Pedler, Aubrey Pedler, Beau Dunbar, Sam Fitzgerald, and Max Crettenden – players who will again need to stand tall if the Magpies are to challenge.

Ramblers will know they must produce something extraordinary to topple the Blues. Their best players need to fire, and their attacking game must click early to build scoreboard pressure. Tumby Bay, however, look every bit the complete side, combining contested strength with elite forward efficiency.

It’s favourites versus underdogs in its purest form – can the Magpies shock the competition, or will Tumby Bay complete their dominant season with silverware?

B Grade – 12.00pm

Tumby Bay Blues vs United Yeelanna Eagles

The B Grade Grand Final promises to be one of the day’s most intriguing contests. Tumby Bay and United Yeelanna have already crossed paths twice in 2025, with the Blues victorious on both occasions. In Round 4, Tumby Bay flexed their muscle with a commanding 15.15 (105) to 0.0 (0) win, holding the Eagles scoreless. Their second meeting in Round 11 was tighter, but the Blues still prevailed 6.8 (44) to 3.4 (22).

While those results lean heavily toward Tumby Bay, both sides will field stronger line-ups on Grand Final day. Expect this clash to be far closer than the early-season scorelines suggest.

The duel between the two tied B Grade Best & Fairest winners – Aaron Lawrie (United Yeelanna) and Nick Cave (Tumby Bay) – who can have more impact on the game. Both have been outstanding players for their sides and their influence could swing the game.

For Tumby Bay, discipline and structure have been their keys, with a reliable defensive unit that forces opponents into errors. Yeelanna will look to move the ball quickly and spread to create scoring chances. If they can stretch Tumby Bay’s defence and take their opportunities, an upset is possible.

This looms as a genuine arm-wrestle. The Blues will be favourites based on form, but Yeelanna’s depth and experience make them dangerous opponents on the big stage.

A Grade – 2.40pm

United Yeelanna Eagles vs Lock Roos

The marquee event of the day – and of the season – will see the powerhouse United Yeelanna Eagles take on the Lock Roos in a Grand Final that pits tradition against hunger.

The Eagles are chasing an astonishing 11th premiership in 13 seasons and a seventh in a row, cementing their dynasty as one of the most dominant in country football. Lock, on the other hand, are desperate to break a drought that stretches back to 1997. The Roos haven’t lifted the cup in nearly three decades – and they’ll see this as their golden chance.

These teams have met three times this year:

• Round 1: United Yeelanna 9.12 (66) def Lock 5.3 (33)

• Round 8: United Yeelanna 9.10 (64) def Lock 8.13 (61)

• 2nd Semi Final: United Yeelanna 10.7 (67) def Lock 7.7 (49)

While the Eagles hold the 3–0 record, two of those games were tight, with Lock pushing them hard. In the 2nd Semi Final, Yeelanna’s class shone through as they controlled key moments, with standout performances from Xavier Watson, Casey Carr, Shaun Maxfield, Jaxen Norton, Dane Habner, and Brayden Martin.

Lock, meanwhile, had strong contributions from Andrew Heath, Luke Durdin, Macaulay Glover, Lachlan Heath, Damian Kelly, and Casey Beard – all of whom will be critical again if the Roos are to turn the tables.

Selection intrigue also adds spice to the build-up. United Yeelanna may welcome back the Glover brothers, Ben and Alex, bolstering their backline and forward options. It will also be fascinating to see whether game-changer Isaac Grima is fit enough to take his place after missing the 2nd Semi Final but returning in the Preliminary Final. With so much at stake, these are the toughest calls coaches will have to make all year.

This Grand Final is more than just a game. It’s a clash between the reigning kings of the league and the challengers who believe their time has finally come.

For the Eagles, it will be about composure, sticking to their structures, and trusting the system that has delivered so much success. For Lock, belief is everything. They’ll need to attack boldly, convert their chances, and apply relentless pressure for four quarters.

It promises to be a fascinating contest – the unstoppable force of Yeelanna against the desperate, determined Roos.

Final Word

Grand Final day in the GFFL is always something special, and 2025 promises to be one for the ages.

• The Senior Colts kicks things off with Tumby Bay looking to maintain their dominance over Cummins Kapinnie.

• The Mini Colts sees Ramblers’ Best & Fairest Cyril Pedler trying to inspire his side against Tumby Bay’s Esix Curtis and co.

• The B Grade showdown between Tumby Bay and Yeelanna could hinge on which Best & Fairest star – Lawrie or Cave – stamps their influence.

• And the A Grade delivers a dream Grand Final: United Yeelanna’s dynasty against Lock’s hunger to end a 28-year wait, with possible selection twists still to come.

If you can’t make it to Cummins, don’t miss a second of the action. On Eyre Media will be livestreaming every game on the GFFL Facebook page and YouTube channel. Beware of fake links and pages – you will never be asked to pay, with this coverage proudly supported by Community Bank Cummins and Port Lincoln Prestige.

By Saturday evening, four premiers will be crowned, and history will be written once more in the Great Flinders Football League.