Finals are still on the cards for Redan Lions despite a challenging pathway to get there

The Redan Lions are not giving up on finals in the Ballarat Football League just yet, but they know their season is on the line.

Redan coach Jarrett Giampaolo concedes his team might have left it too late to make the finals in the Ballarat Football Netball League.

But there remains some hope.

Redan sits in eighth position, one game behind both North Ballarat and Bacchus Marsh with two rounds left to play.

The Lions face a must-win match against Bacchus Marsh this weekend before facing Melton South in the final round.

If Redan win their last two matches it can qualify for the finals, in the six team format, if North Ballarat lose their final two matches and Bacchus Marsh lose their final match against Sunbury.

There is a chance but the Lions need everything to go their way.

“It’s that old saying it’s a mathematical possibility,” Giampaolo said.

“The disappointing thing is we have to rely on others to get there.

“If we have to rely on mathematical calculations then we haven’t done enough to warrant being in the finals.”

Giampaolo concedes the team hasn’t been good enough at critical moments to secure the wins required.

The Lions are the only side to lose to bottom placed Lake Wendouree in the competition.

Redan has also lost three games by under 10 points.

In recent weeks the Lions have improved, winning their past two matches.

“We were probably just too inconsistent throughout the year,” Giampaolo said.

“We would win three or four in a row and then lose three or four in a row and lose all momentum.

“We also lost a few close ones and sometimes all you need is one of them to change the season.”

Giampaolo said the side has done well to be in the position it is in after losing a portion of the list before the start of the season.

“We lost a lot of guys who had been at the club for a long time,” he said.

“It was very unknown about how we were going to go but we still believed we are a finals side.

“So I’d probably says we’d be disappointed (about missing).”

Giampaolo said he’s been pleased with the club’s juniors with several stepping up at times to fill the void of those who left.

He’s now hoping they can finish the year in style, regardless of whether it lands them in finals or not.

“We want to come out and do our bit, make sure we win,” Giampaolo said.

“You’d hate to have the mathematical equation come your way and you haven’t won the games you’ve needed to win.

“It’s a long shot but we’ll come out to play our best.”

Giampaolo is hoping their away form puts them in prime position to beat Bacchus Marsh.

The Lions have won all three matches away from Ballarat this season, beating Sunbury, Darley and Melton South and are now looking to add a fourth.

“I think our form on the road is better than at home,” Giampaolo said.

“I think the last time at Bacchus we beat them on the final siren (2019).

“We’ll match up really well (against them).

“We’ll also have a pretty good side, one of our better sides.

“We are also reasonable strong and we’re reasonably fresh (from the bye).”

The contest starts at 2.15pm on Saturday at Maddingley Park.