EFL 2018: Division 2 finals race set for tight finish with Bayswater, Park Orchards and Wantirna South level on seven wins

THE Eastern Football League Division 2 finals race is set for a tight finish with three sides fighting for the last spot in the top four in the last five games of the season.

WANTIRNA South’s last-quarter thumping win over Mitcham, Bayswater’s final term fade out against Croydon and Park Orchards’ upset victory over ladder-leaders Lilydale has set up an intriguing run in the race for fourth spot in Division 2.

The Devils piled on nine goals to one in the final quarter to run out 58-point winners over Mitcham after leading by just 11 points at the final change.

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The 17.12 (114) to 8.8 (56) result improved Wantirna South’s record to 7-6 alongside Bayswater and Park Orchards, the first time the Devils have been ahead of the win-loss ledger since Round 5.

The Round 16 clash between Park Orchards and Bayswater and the Round 18 fixture between Wantirna South and Bayswater could prove the deciding factors in who joins Lilydale, Doncaster East and Upper Ferntree Gully in the top four.

Park Orchards and Lilydale players fly for the ball. Picture: Steve Tanner

After narrow losses against Lilydale and Doncaster East, Bayswater slipped to its third consecutive defeat after Croydon prevailed by 24 points.

After conceding the first six goals of the game, the Blues fought their way back in the contest to record a 17.8 (110) to 13.8 (86) win and continue their resurgence in the second half of the season.

Justin Ficorilli (five) and Riley Britton (four) combined for nine goals, while Billy Dickson was listed as Croydon’s best-on-ground in just his third senior game of the year.

The Blues have won their past three matches to be a remote finals chance, sitting outside the top four by one game and percentage after starting the season 3-7.

At Domeney Reserve, Park Orchards logged just its second win against a top-four side this year after a 26-point triumph over Lilydale.

The 14.12 (96) to 10.10 (70) result was just Lilydale’s second loss of the season and gave the Sharks’ finals hopes a much-needed boost.

Upper Ferntree Gully’s seven-point win over Doncaster East means the Falcons retain their game advantage atop the ladder.