The weekend started early on Thursday evening with the AFL side’s memorable win in Adelaide, as they toppled the Crows by 34 points.
In milestone games for Jordan De Goey and Isaac Quaynor, the Pie started hot before the Crows wrestled control of the game.
They’d run out to an almost five-goal lead halfway through the second term, before the visitors flipped the switch, kicking three late goals to take momentum into half time.
From there, it was all the Pies, as Nick Daicos began to run rampant and the black and white’s lead began to grow.
Consecutive goals to Ed Allan in the final term sealed the deal, as the Pies secured their sixth straight win.
Daicos finished with 39 touches, while Dan McStay kicked two of the best goals of his career and continued his strong season.
The following day it was the VFL side’s turn, taking down St Kilda by 10 points at La Trobe University.
In a four quarter performance, it was the first term that stood out, with seven goals to four setting up the win.
Jai Saxena started hot and finished with three goals, but it was mid-year recruit Mitch Podhajski who stole the show, bagging fiver majors.
Sam Swadling returned to the side with 28 touches, while Wil Parker (24 disposals) and Tew Jiath (23 touches) patrolled half back with aplomb.
Happening almost concurrently, the black and white’s AFLW side were kicking off their official pre-season clash against West Coast in Perth.
On a sunny Friday afternoon, the Pies started strongly through goals to Imogen Barnett and Eliza James, taking a three-point lead into quarter time.
The Eagles gained control through the middle parts of the game however and looked destined for victory, before skipper Rub Schleicher led a Magpies resurgence.
Playing in attack, Schleicher kicked two second half goals and finished with 22 touches as the Pies turned a 14-point deficit at three-quarter time into a four-point win.
Two goals to young gun Ash Centra and a late major to Mattea Breed – who was playing her first official match in Pies colours – were also crucial.
Tarni White and Airlie Runnalls (both 21 disposals) ran hard all day, as did Charlotte Brewer (20 disposals), as some of the better players for the black and white.
With one more match simulation to come before Round 1 on 15 August, things are ramping up for Sam Wright’s side, ahead of his third season in charge.
They’ll take on the Tigers to open their 2026 campaign, in a Saturday night clash at IKON Park.
On the back of three wins, the Pies’ VFLW side continued the strong momentum of the Club into Saturday, proving far too good for Darebin at Preston City Oval.
With AFL-listed players Sabrina Frederick and Georgia Knight taking the field, it was a star-studded outfit that took on the Falcons, and they displayed their class with a 53-0 win.
Frederick kicked three goals, while Abbey Tregellis (31 touches) and Stella Huxtable (28 disposals) were important, as the Pies rose to top of the ladder.
On the back of four wins, the Pies Wheelchair sides were hoping to make it a perfect weekend on Sunday, however both unfortunately went down against Richmond.
The Championship side went down by 64 points against the Tigers and finished the year fourth on the ladder. They’ll now face Hawthorn in an Elimination Final.
The Community team meanwhile went down by 28 points, finishing the season third on the ladder. They’ll also take on the Hawks next Sunday in an Elimination Final.
