In the penultimate week of the 2026 season, we are being treated with two incredible preliminary finals. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------- First Preliminary FinalLagos Royals vs Lima Llamas These two sides could not be entering this match up in more different circumstances. The Lagos Royals have dominated the 2026 season, winning eight of their nine matches this season and ending atop the Premier League ladder. Fresh off the bye, their team looks absolutely raring to go, with midfield star Kiara Bowers posting a season high score of 178 Fantasy in the break. The Royals enter this match up as heavy favourites, as they look to head back to the Grand Final to atone for a rough loss in last year’s final day in October. The Lima Llamas on the other hand are becoming quite the storyline. When ruck Ally Morphett went down with injury late in the season, the Llamas’ were holding onto their finals spot by a thread. But the Llamas have shown incredible fight and heart, winning consecutive match ups against the Storm by single figures. The return of Lucy Single from injury, amongst an already strong midfield line up, has helped the Llamas get it done. The Royals are a much more difficult opponent however, so the Llamas are going to have to dig deep to pull of a fairytale premiership in 2026. THE VERDICT The Royals firepower (off the rest) will be too much for the Llamas, who have been putting it all on the line for weeks now. Royals to advance. 2026 SEASON REVIEW Lagos Royals 1st (8-1, 8,840 points) L5 WWWWW Lima Llamas 5th (5-4, 7,674 points) L5 WWLWL LAST TIME THEY MET Round Eight 2026 - Lagos Royals (967) def. Lima Llamas (810) An ACL injury to Ally Morphett marred the last contest between these two sides, with the Llamas left scrambling to make up the points without their tall timber. The midfield battle was nevertheless hotly contested, with tons to Aisling McCarthy, Alyce Parker, Olivia Purcell and Isabel Pritchard pushing both teams to strong performances. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Second Preliminary FinalDarmstadt Dynamos vs Quebec Caribou The next iteration of the Free Kick derby has come back so quickly, with these two powerhouses developing a bitter rivalry across the last few seasons. This is their third finals match up in as many seasons, with the Caribou taking the chocolates on both of the last two occasions as they marched to back-to-back flags. But the Dynamos’ confidence will be boosted by their victory over the Caribou just two weeks ago. The Dynamos have caught fire this season, and enter this preliminary final on the back of seven consecutive victories (much like their beloved Geelong Cats). Their depth players have been somewhat inconsistent in 2026, but they have been able to rely on some massive individual performances to carry the team as needed. Ebony Marinoff, Alice Edmonds, Tilly Lucas-Rodd and Charlie Mullins are the key players to watch this week, all of whom will have a massive impact on the outcome of this match. The Caribou have had more difficulty defending their premiership this season than last, but are still on the precipice of another Grand Final should they push through this tough match up once more. Their dominant North duo have taken their foot off the gas in the last month, and will need to fire up once again - particularly with Tyla Hanks and Nina Morrison facing tougher opponents in Round Eleven. But with the most points on the board across the season, the Caribou will favour their chances and enter the match up as the favourite yet again. The only question left of the squad - is the hunger still there to make it back for a third dance? THE VERDICT The Caribou are a powerful unit, and will be tough to overcome. But the Dynamos are in fierce form and won’t take defeat lying down. Expect an epic contest from this game, in which I am expecting an upset Dynamos victory in a close high scoring contest. 2026 SEASON REVIEW Darmstadt Dynamos 2nd (8-1, 8,765 points) L5 WWWWW Quebec Caribou 3rd (6-3, 9,407 points) L5 WLWWW LAST TIME THEY MET Round Nine 2026 - Darmstadt Dynamos (1084) def. Quebec Caribou (1037) A 169 point masterclass by Ebony Marinoff lifted the Dynamos to victory in one of the highest scoring bouts of the season, and cemented her as the league best & fairest favourite. She was ably assisted by Jackie Parry up forward, with 130points of her own from four goals. The Caribou put in a great effort in the loss, with five tons across the team, with only the team’s defence letting them down. —----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intercomp Seeding Matches Many of our Premier League teams are still in action this year, remaining alive in the Intercomp Playoffs to see who will qualify for the 2027 competition. The winners from these three games will qualify: Scone Sirens (ORFFW) vs Adelaide All Stars Vancouver Vultures vs Lake St Clair Devils (ORFFW) Glenbrook Galahs (ORFFW) vs Pomona Wood Nymphs (ORFFW) The losers of the above 3 games will play the following week against the winners of the following three games: Kyoto Kruisers vs Eastern Park Dragons (ORFFW) Junee Jets (ORFFW) vs Korean Kickers Manildra Mystix (ORFFW) vs Como Comets (ORFFW) —----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Good luck everyone! Make sure to post your teams on this thread by 7:15pm AEDT Friday 23 October before the first game of Round Eleven gets underway (Power vs. Magpies) @FreeKickLiam @WillH_VI @Jono Steven @hoschke118 @Peter W @FreoDockers @Corza @Chloe @TheTassieHawk @Athos123