After some promising signs early in a very even early part of the season, the young Red Roys were at the crossroads after Round 10 at 5-5 and had slipped from the top four to sixth -  this included a run of three consecutive losses to Whitefriars (3rd), Werribee (2nd) and NOBs / St Pats (9th at the time).  The fourth placed Roys responded, winning six of the last eight, securing a spot in the finals (4th) with two to play and two games clear of a late surging NOBs and perennial middle-of-the-roader Old Mentonians. Only Whitefriars and Rupertswood won both their fixtures against FFC, the latter in Rounds 2 and 18 in bizarre fixturing more likely to come from AFL HQ than Elsternwick. FFC peaked at the right time of the season, with a rich vein of form starting with an outstanding 30 point win against 2nd placed Werribee at Werribee in Round 14, followed by thumping wins against an in-form NOBs (94 pts), old VFL rival South Melbourne (62 pts) and Prahran (86 pts). Only a 41 point loss to ladder leader Rupertswood in the Round 18 ‘dead rubber’ blotted the Roys’ form-line.

And so the Roys’ Red hot form continued into the finals, with a comprehensive 13-goal demolition of Whitefriars in the first semi and a magnificent 38-point win against Werribee in the preliminary, propelling the club back into C-Section (after two years in D1) and the all important Grand Final this Saturday against favourite Rupertswood, who have suffered only one loss for the season (to Werribee by 9 pts at Rupertswood, the week after FFC beat Werribee).

Young forward Ross Borland has been rampant in the latter part of the season, including an 8-goal haul in the first semi, 29 goals in the last six weeks and 54 for the season in the seniors. First year senior coach Simon Taylor appears to have managed Ross (and the whole list) very well after an uncertain start, playing in a variety of positions through the year and two games in the under 19s and reaching peak form at the business end of the season. The team is characterised by strong team-oriented contributions across the ground with all players making the best several times during the season. They have been led strongly by captain Jim O’Reilly, and his Tassie mate Simon Kelleher, whose latter season form has been brilliant. Former best and fairest winner and senior and under 19 premiership player, Milos Zika, returned to the senior team in May after some time overseas in recent years and has been at his dazzling best, adding some vital speed through the midfield. Along with ruckman Chris Meighen, midfielders Conor Dullard, Vinnie Cahill and Ben ‘Son of Secretary’ Atherton, these seven players have already won at least one senior premiership at the club. Former captain, best & fairest winner and premiership player, Vinnie Cahill is seeking to win an unprecedented fourth senior premiership at the club. Throw in the experience and capabilities of James Taylor, Matthew Mackay, the Clark brothers and the youthful exuberance and skill of Polidoras, Biggs and Baker, the Roys are a well balanced and class act who can topple this Rupertswood juggernaut. After senior premierships in 2001, 2003 and 2005, the club will be looking to make it four premierships in nine years and its sixth overall.

The reserves finished the season in sixth with ten wins, only a game from fourth placed Old Mentonians. A creditable performance from the team, coached for the first time by Sam Buckley. The record-breaking Under 19s finished a creditable 3rd in Under 19 North (1) grade with 11 wins and six losses, but lost their first semi final to Old Carey by 17 points. The Under 19 (2) side led by first time coach Jono Coyne, improved dramatically on last year, with four wins and finishing 8th. The future of FFC looks strong.