Kilburn take out the 2025 APM SANFL Inclusive League Grand Final

8 September 2025

By ALEXANDRA BULL

A late behind in the final term has secured Kilburn the 2025 APM SANFL Inclusive League Grand Final, defeating Kenilworth by one point.

After going undefeated all season, including defeating Kenilworth in the Qualifying Final to head straight to the Grand Final, Kilburn was a strong favourite in warm and windy conditions at Hisense Stadium.

Koddee McKenzie opened the scoring for The Chics to give the eventual premiers a slight lead in the first quarter, with Kenilworth unable to score a major, registering only three behinds.

A second-quarter goal from Kenilworth’s Ethan Glover-Lindsay and a handful of points gave The Kookas the lead, and an unlikely grand final victory was seemingly on the cards for the 2022 and 2023 premiers.

It was a stagnant third quarter for both teams, with accuracy in front of goal in the final term vital for both teams.

Kilburn’s Haines-West scored a major with the first clearance of the fourth quarter to hit the front, before Kenilworth levelled the scores with a behind in the seventh minute of the final term – with only five minutes to go.

Enter Jacob Palkovics.

The Kilburn captain kicked the most important point of his life to give his side a one-point lead, which was enough to give Kilburn its first APM SANFL Inclusive League premiership since 2016, after losing the 2024 decider to Athelstone.

Kilburn’s Austinn Jones was awarded the Best on Ground medal for his strong performance in his team’s victory.

Kilburn 1.0  1.1  1.2  2.3 (15)

Kenilworth 0.3  1.6  1.7  1.8 (14)

Best On Ground – Austinn Jones (Kilburn)

GOALS – Kilburn: McKenzie, Haines-West

Kenilworth: Glover-Lindsay

UMPIRES – Fletcher Mickan and Malcolm Freak