GFFL 2025 A Grade Round 14 Preview

Finals Fate Hinges on Last-Minute Drama

It’s the final round of the 2025 Great Flinders Football League season, and the A Grade competition couldn’t have scripted a more nerve-shredding finish. With one finals spot still up for grabs and percentage likely to decide who claims it, every goal and every point this weekend will have major ramifications.

The equation is simple — and yet, full of twists. Cummins Kapinnie can book their finals ticket with a win over top-placed United Yeelanna. But if they don’t get the points, the door swings open for Cummins Ramblers.

For the Cougars, even a narrow loss could be enough — if they can restrict Yeelanna’s scoring and keep the margin tight while hoping Ramblers don’t win by too much. On the other side of the coin, Ramblers will be aiming for a big win over bottom-placed Eyre United while hoping Cummins Kapinnie slip up. Adding another wrinkle, every goal Eyre United kick will chip away at the Magpies’ percentage, tilting the scales towards the Cougars.

It’s a finals-race chess match with two teams, two venues, and one very nervous group of supporters refreshing the ladder live on their phones come 5pm Saturday.

Eyre United (7th – 13.6%) vs Cummins Ramblers (6th – 52.98%) at Ungarra

Eyre United’s season hasn’t produced a win, but they’ve shown glimpses of competitive spirit across the year. They’ll take the field with nothing to lose and one last chance to give their supporters a reason to cheer before the off-season. For them, this match is about pride, commitment, and sending a message that they’ll be harder to beat in 2026.

Ramblers, however, will arrive at Ungarra with a very different mindset — this is a virtual elimination final. They lost to Elliston Districts in Round 13 last week by 22 points, and to Lock by 45 points a fortnight ago in Round 12, following their bye and famous upset of United Yeelanna in Round 10. The Magpies know they can rise to big occasions — but this time, the challenge isn’t just about winning, it’s about winning well.

They’ll be hunting a big score while restricting Eyre United’s output as much as possible. Expect them to play fast, direct football, pushing numbers forward at every opportunity. Their midfield’s ability to win clean clearances and get the ball deep into attack will be crucial, as will their forwards’ conversion rate.

For Eyre United, every goal they kick will matter — not for their own ladder position, but for the finals hopes of Cummins Kapinnie. They’ll be desperate to hit the scoreboard early and often to make life as uncomfortable as possible for the Magpies.

Eyre United

Ins: Riley Pugsley, Zac Morgan, Kobe Vlassco

Outs: Declan Phillis, Richard Norris

Cummins Ramblers

Ins: Phoenix Milburn, George Pedler

Outs: Joel Modra, Cody Modra

Lock (2nd – 69.15%) vs Elliston Districts (3rd – 56.26%) at Lock

While this match-up could easily pass as a finals preview, the finals script is already set for these two sides. Lock have secured a top-two spot and will face United Yeelanna in the second semi-final, while Elliston Districts are locked into third and will meet either Cummins Ramblers or Cummins Kapinnie in next weekend’s knockout first semi-final.

The Roos are in superb touch heading into finals. Since their mid-season break, they’ve been ruthlessly efficient: a 209-point demolition of Eyre United in Round 11, a 45-point win over Ramblers in Round 12, and a 31-point victory over Tumby Bay in Round 13 that officially ended the Blues’ finals aspirations. They’ve been winning not just through talent, but through a well-structured system that squeezes opposition ball movement and gives their forwards prime opportunities.

Elliston Districts, meanwhile, will be eager to rebound from a patchy fortnight and sharpen up before their do-or-die semi-final. They’ll be keen to fix their forward efficiency — an issue that cost them dearly in their Round 12 loss to Yeelanna, where they kicked 2.7 after halftime to Yeelanna’s 7.3. Last week’s victory over Ramblers showed their midfield is still capable of dictating terms, but doing it against Lock’s disciplined defence and at one of the toughest road trips in the league will be a true test.

This game may not change the ladder, but it carries weight. For Lock, it’s about maintaining their winning streak and keeping momentum rolling into a blockbuster second semi. For Elliston Districts, it’s a chance to measure themselves against one of the two best teams in the competition before next weekend’s elimination stage begins. Expect both to play hard — no one wants to head into finals on the back of a loss.

Lock

Ins: Kory Beard, Macaulay Glover, Andrew Heath

Outs: Luke Durdin, Lachlan Heath, Jed Siebert

Elliston Districts

Ins: Yarni boy Cobby, Lachlan Forward, Archer Van Doorn, Josiah Coleman, Connor Kennedy

Outs: Jack Tonkin, Matt Williams, Rhys Kelsh, Riley Carter, Boyd McCurry

Cummins Kapinnie (4th – 58.40%) vs United Yeelanna (1st – 65.84%) at Kapinnie

If the Cougars want to remove all doubt and avoid a nervous wait for the other results, there’s one simple way to do it — beat the best side in the competition. Easier said than done.

United Yeelanna have been the benchmark all season, boasting the league’s most potent forward line and an unmatched spread of contributors. Their only slip-up came against Ramblers in Round 10, and they responded by quickly reasserting their dominance. They’ll arrive at Kapinnie knowing that a win locks in the minor premiership, and while they’re already guaranteed the double chance, there’s no suggestion they’ll take the foot off the pedal.

For Cummins Kapinnie, it’s all about defensive discipline and taking their chances. They’ll aim to slow the game down, deny Yeelanna’s outside runners, and turn the contest into a grind. If they can keep the Eagles to a modest score and stay within striking distance, even a narrow loss might be enough to preserve their percentage advantage over Ramblers.

But there’s danger in that approach — playing for percentage can be risky against a side that can score heavily in short bursts. The Cougars’ best chance is to take the game on, move the ball quickly when opportunities arise, and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

There’s also the psychological factor: a win over Yeelanna would give Cummins Kapinnie enormous confidence heading into finals, where there’s every chance they could meet again. But first, they need to make sure they actually get there.

Cummins Kapinnie

Ins: Majoor Ackland

Outs: Harry Shepperd

United Yeelanna

Ins: Bryce Breed

Outs: Ben Glover

Final Thoughts

You couldn’t ask for a better set-up for the final minor round of the season. Three games, two teams fighting for one finals spot, and percentage hanging in the balance. The live ladder watchers will be in overdrive, and every goal celebration in Ungarra or Kapinnie will carry double meaning.

By Saturday night, the picture will be clear: United Yeelanna and Lock in the second semi, Elliston Districts in the first semi against either Cummins Kapinnie or Cummins Ramblers. Until then, we wait with bated breath for the final sirens and the official ladder.

Good luck to all teams — and for supporters, settle in for one of the most dramatic finishes the GFFL has seen in years.