“This is the real stuff, this is what we play for.”
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Those are the words of Kyabram coach Jackson McLay after the Redbacks’ round 11 victory last weekend, as his minor premiership-winning side looks ahead to its finals campaign - and it couldn’t pump up the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield post-season any better.
After 11 rounds and 16 weekends of cricket played across the summer, the intensity of the Haisman Shield is set to go up a notch as six clubs booked their tickets for a chance to achieve the ultimate goal of winning a flag.
The finals follow a unique structure, where the three winners this weekend will advance to the second week of finals, while the top-ranked loser is handed a double chance, effectively transitioning to the fourth-ranked side.
The layout therefore means a blockbuster knockout clash may fall in the second week of finals if an upset occurs, as seen in previous seasons.
However for week one, first plays sixth, second plays fifth, and third hosts fourth.
Kyabram sustained only one blemish to its record to earn the ladder-leading position, and will host 6-5 record Nagambie, which has shown glimpses of its runners-up effort last season.
Karramomus’ first final in nearly a decade will be held at Numurkah against the Blues, while second-placed finishers Central Park-St Brendan’s are tasked with late bolters and reigning premiers Waaia.
So, which side has the best case for the 2025-26 premiership? We’ve previewed every clubs finals path.
Kyabram
The minor premiers haven’t done much wrong this summer, and know how to win on the big stage, claiming the one day flag in December.
So can it do the double?
To book another grand final berth it will have to defeat Nagambie, an outfit which challenged the Bombers in a tight clash last time they met, before facing the highest-placed loser of the first week of finals.
The minor premiers may be tasked with a harder semi-final than the second-highest placed winner, given a week one upset could force it to play CPStB or Numurkah - a structure that could contribute to the fact a minor premier has not won the two-day flag this decade.
So despite its dominance in the home and away campaign, Kyabram will have to defy a difficult path to grab both white and red ball flags this season.
Central Park-St Brendan’s
After a dominant year, the Tigers’ top-two spot has been negated by the fact it must beat the reigning premiers to book a home semi-final.
The Tigers should enter with confidence however, comfortably rolling by third-placed Numurkah in the final round of the season, and if their Deakin Reserve form is anything to go by, expect CPStB to be laying down the law against Waaia.
Data suggests history is on the Tigers’ side too.
The last two premiers have been the top run scorers of the season, and CPStB has led that category by over 250 runs while also rarely losing wickets to boot, boasting a quotient higher than any side has this decade.
Numurkah
Numurkah was finally on the right side of history in 2026, booking a home final against Karramomus after marginally missing the top six in 2024 and 2025.
The Blues will hope its more recent finals experience, and premiership veterans still in the side, will be able to put the Bloods to bed before it faces either Central Park-St Brendan’s, or Waaia or Nagambie should either underdog prevail.
Numurkah has lost to CPStB and Waaia during this season, so its likely it will have to right its wrongs from the home and away campaign if it is to make this year’s decider.
Karramomus
The Bloods are back in finals, but can the competition’s young and fun squad do damage in March?
A final round defeat to Katandra suggests the Bloods may have gotten ahead of themselves after securing its spot in the post-season the match prior, but perhaps a reality check for the energetic A-graders could kick the gears into motion for a return to form.
However, Karramomus will have to beat teams it is yet to defeat in 2025-26 if it is to win the flag.
The Bloods lost to Numurkah in their last meeting, but should they bypass them, they may also have to face CPStB in the semi-final, another side that dined out on the red and gold.
Waaia
After defeating Nagambie in the last round of the season, a rocky summer for Waaia has been salvaged, with the Bombers’ title defence still alive and kicking.
The Bombers won from third on the ladder in 2025, suggesting a second premiership from a few rungs down isn’t out of the realm of possibility.
Waaia also defeated its week one opponent CPStB in round three, while pinching Numurkah in a thriller in round two, suggesting its got the capability to cause carnage in this year’s finals if future match-ups fall in the Bombers’ favour.
The question begs as to whether the premiership hangover has finally been overcome now, but its 3-1 record this calendar year indicates Waaia will be a smokey team to watch in March.
Nagambie
The Lakers have the toughest path to a flag, but it has the credentials to get there.
If Zac and Mitchell Winter-Irving can fire, Nagambie is capable of winning against top sides - and winning big.
A 155-run victory over CPStB was the epitome of a perfect storm, and the Lakers only narrowly succumbed to the minor premiers also.
Its glaring issue right now is form, yet to pass 200 with the bat since that win over the Tigers, and have lost 29 wickets across its last three innings.
A rejuvenation with the bat is necessary if the Lakers are to raise a Haisman Shield banner this year.