EFL 2018: Division 1 coaches give their Eastern Football League premiership tips

EASTERN Football League Division 1 finals start on Saturday. Here’s the inside word on who rival coaches think will be lifting the premiership cup.

THE Eastern Football League Division 1 finals will kick off on Saturday at Bayswater Oval when South Croydon and Doncaster clash in a mouth-watering qualifying final.

The two sides have met twice this year, with the Sharks prevailing on both occasions by a combined 14 points.

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Blackburn and Rowville will meet in a cutthroat final on Sunday for the right to advance to the second week of the playoffs.

South Croydon caused one of the great grand final upsets in local football last year. Picture: Hamish Blair

Both sides have shown during the year they beat the top three sides so don’t write either off in the premiership race.

Vermont will have the first week of finals off after securing its third consecutive minor premiership.

But after consecutive grand final defeats, the pressure is on the Eagles to taste the ultimate success.

It should make for a classic finals series. We’ve canvassed the thoughts of the Division 1 coaches watching from the sidelines this September on who they think will win the 2018 flag.

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade

Tip: South Croydon

“Just from what I can gather, it’s really between the top three with really probably South Croydon or Vermont. I think they’re pretty evenly matched, we found them both talented teams. I think it depends on who is available. If they’ve got close to both their best teams it would make for a good contest. South Croydon, do they get (Chris) Jones back from Box Hill? If they get him back I reckon they’ll win (but) even without him they’re still a pretty good chance.”

Balwyn coach Rodney Eade. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Norwood coach Patrick Bowden

Tip: Doncaster

“They have a settled and fit list with winners on all lines.”

Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty

Tip: Vermont

“I’ll tip Vermont, especially if they can get their full complement of players on the ground. (Alex) Greenwood and Robbie McComb, (Andrew) Ainger and these sorts of guys, and Parks (Adam Parker). If these guys are all playing and up and about, they’ll be very hard to beat. Having said that, I do rate South (Croydon) and the smoky for me would be Doncaster. The only thing I worry about Doncaster is maybe the bigger grounds might hold them out, but if Vermont can get their complement on the ground they’ll be very hard to beat.”

Noble Park coach Mick Fogarty. Picture: Hamish Blair

North Ringwood coach Brett Moyle

Tip: South Croydon

“When we played them, they had a few out, but their system, they play in a way where they just really tore us apart so I think they’re the best side we’ve played this year.”

Montrose coach Peter Bastinac

Tip: Vermont

“I think it’s going to be a South Croydon, Vermont grand final, that’s my tip. If Vermont’s forwards fire up, look out, but South Croydon play pretty good footy and I reckon they were the most impressive side against us. I still think it’s out of those two and it would be a great game I reckon.”

Montrose coach Peter Bastinac. Picture: Chris Eastman/AAP

East Ringwood coach Marcus Buzaglo

Tip: South Croydon

“Probably the best side we played this year and have improved from last year.”

Knox coach David Madigan

Tip: Doncaster

“I think Doncaster have got a really good system. I think Vermont and South Croydon are probably the ones with the runs on the board so it’s probably going to come back out of those three, but (if) either Rowville or Blackburn play their best footy they’re going to be hard to beat as well. Probably at the end of the day it’s out of the two from last year but I think Doncaster are the ones that can probably get them.”