EFL 2018: The Basin records first win over top-five side after a 10-point win over Heathmont
HEATHMONT could be sweating on the fitness of star ruckman Chris Nayna for the Eastern Football League finals ahead of the Jets’ final home and away game.
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HEATHMONT could be sweating on the fitness of star ruckman Chris Nayna for the Eastern Football League finals ahead of the Jets’ final home and away game.
Nayna helped Heathmont establish a 26-point quarter-time lead over The Basin on Saturday before the Bears rallied to record a 10-point win, securing their place in the top five and leaving the Jets in a must-win clash against Waverley Blues this weekend.
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Nayna was playing his second senior game for the year and was shaping as a pivotal player for the Jets after making a late-season return.
But he came from the ground in the second quarter with a possible hamstring strain and could be in doubt for the elimination final on August 26.
He played no further part in the game, helping The Basin kicking 10 goals to four after quarter time.
Stand-in Heathmont captain Leigh Odermatt said the absence of Nayna was telling, with the Bears recording a 11.7 (73) to 9.9 (63) victory.
“Once Chris went down, they really wrestled it back in the middle, credit where credit is due, they’ve got some pretty good prime movers in there with (Trevor) Mills and (Josh) Adams,” Odermatt said.
“Not too sure whether it was a cramp or whether it was a strain at this stage so he’s got to get it scanned. We’re all waiting with bated breath.”
With Templestowe likely to account for winless Chirnside Park in Round 18, it leaves Heathmont needing to defeat Waverley Blues to assure its place in the top five.
Templestowe and Heathmont are square on a 10-7 record but the Jets have an extra 55 percentage points, meaning the Jets only need to secure the four premiership points to secure their third consecutive finals appearance.
The weekend’s result was also Heathmont’s sixth loss for the year under less than three goals, only recording one win over a top-five side for the season.
Elsewhere in Division 3, Ringwood captain Trent Farmer marked his return with five goals as the Redbacks recorded a 16.14 (110) to 5.8 (38).
In Division 1, South Croydon defeated East Ringwood by 69 points, Norwood had a 42-point win over Montrose and Vermont defeated North Ringwood by 11 points.
In Division 2, Croydon defeated Mooroolbark by 11 points.
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