EFL 2018: Balwyn keeps its Division 1 finals hopes alive after a 36-point win over East Ringwood

BALWYN recorded its eighth victory of the Eastern Football League Division 1 season to keep its slim finals hopes alive on Saturday against East Ringwood.

ONE needs everything to go right to avoid relegation, and the other needs everything to go right to make finals.

Balwyn scored its eighth win of the Eastern Football League season on Saturday over East Ringwood, keeping its remote top-five hopes alive.

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The 13.15 (93) to 8.9 (57) result also meant East Ringwood needs to make up three games in the final four games of the season if it is to avoid demotion to the second tier for just the second time in its history.

The Tigers remain two games outside the Eastern Football League Division 1 top five and coach Rodney Eade acknowledged results would have to fall his side’s way in the final month if it is to make a 23rd consecutive finals appearance.

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade. Picture: James Ross.

“There’s no doubt about that, all we can do is win our five games, but even then with our injury list, our Round 1 team to now we’ve got 11 players different,” Eade said.

“Our next two games are the ones … Norwood and Blackburn we’ve got to win and if we don’t, well we won’t make it and if we do we give ourselves a chance.

“It’s in our control to a degree, even though we’re eight points out but we’ve just got to keep plugging away.”

The Tigers set up the victory in the first term, kicking four unanswered goals to go to the first change with a 27-point buffer.

East Ringwood rallied in the second quarter but Balwyn kept the home side at arm’s length to improve its record to 8-6.

Jayme Gottliebsen played his best game of the season for Balwyn on Saturday. Picture: Stuart Milligan.

Jayme Gottliebsen played his best game of the year, captain Rennie Gilchrist was again reliable through the midfield, while Jeff Gobbels finished with four goals.

Injuries have cruelled the EFL powerhouse this year, using 42 players across its 15 games.

“Even the games we’ve lost, for most of the period of those games I’ve been pretty pleased with our effort, we’ve been lacking some personnel but I’ve been pretty pleased we’ve stuck at it,” Eade said.

“We played Vermont second time around really undermanned and I was really pleased with that, South Croydon we were right in the game until 10 minutes into the last quarter.

“At least they’re competitive, they’re really still having a go, they’re trying really hard so from that aspect I’ve been pleased from a coaching point of view, we just lack a bit of polish and a bit of finish, that’s all.”