EFL 2018: Race for Eastern Football League Division 1 finals spots hots up but Rowville well placed to secure top-five finish

THE Eastern Football League Division 1 finals race is set to be one of the most even in recent memory, with the top five sides separated by just one game a month out from the post-season.

Rowville coach John Brown believes five sides could claim the Division 1 flag. Picture: Davis Harrigan.

THE Eastern Football League Division 1 finals race is set to be one of the most even in recent memory, with the top five sides separated by just one game a month out from the post-season.

Rowville maintained its two-game advantage inside the top five, with four rounds left, posting its 10th win of the season, a 103-point victory over Montrose at Seebeck Oval.

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The Demons had won their past two games to all but secure their place in the revamped top flight for 2019 but were kept to their lowest score of the season by the rampant Hawks.

Montrose managed just three goals for the game as Rowville enjoyed a 19.18 (132) to 3.11 (29) victory, with Jackson Anderson and Riley D’Arcy both booting four goals to be listed as the home side’s best players.

The Hawks sit outside the top three, by a mere 0.28 per cent, ahead of this weekend’s clash against Vermont.

And with assignments against winless Knox, Noble Park and East Ringwood to follow, Rowville remains every chance of securing a double chance.

Rowville coach John Brown believes five sides could claim the Division 1 flag. Picture: Davis Harrigan.

Coach John Brown said there were five legitimate premiership contenders in the 2018 flag race.

“Probably the next fortnight is really important for the teams inside the five, but I think anyone in that five at the moment certainly can put their hand up and have a bit of a run during finals football,” he said.

“I think with the VFL development league going, there is probably a lot more talent that is spreading deeper to probably Division 1 football. I think you’ll find the teams have probably levelled out a lot because of that VFL experience coming back.”

A win against the out of sorts Vermont would open up the Hawks’ chances.

“We understand they are a quality team but they’ve also dropped three out of their last five games,” Brown said.

“They’re a very strong club, very strong team but we know if we beat them next week, we can draw level with them on wins.

“I think any team in that top five right now would want the double chance because with the fact it is so even, anyone can beat anyone and I think having the double chance just gives you that extra opportunity rather than positioning yourself in an elimination (final).”

In Division 4, Coldstream survived a scare against Nunawading to post a 12-point win, Kilsyth suffered a 72-point loss to East Burwood and Surrey Park defeated Silvan by seven points.