EFL 2019: Coldstream all but books Division 4 finals berth

Coldstream has all but booked its EFL Division 4 finals berth and dealt a significant blow to Silvan’s hopes of making the top four.

Coldstream’s Daniel Gordon flies for a mark. Picture: Josie Hayden

Coldstream has taken an important step to securing a Division 4 finals berth and delivered a significant blow to Silvan’s hopes of a top-four finish.

The Cougars walked away with their top-four aspirations enhanced after a 26-point win on Saturday.

Coldstream was in control for the majority of the clash at Coldstream Reserve, establishing a 25-point lead at halftime before coming away with a 15.9 (99) to 11.7 (73) win.

The Cougars are two games clear in third on the ladder, while Silvan can ill afford any slip ups in the final six games if it is to play finals.

The Cats have a 5-5 record and may need to win all of their remaining games to crack the top four.

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“We knew it was an eight-point game so to speak so realistically the next month for us is really important,” Coldstream coach Chad Rogers said.

“We’re playing some big games and this was the start of that run.”

Coldstream will get a stern test of their premiership credentials after their Round 13 bye when they face ladder-leader East Burwood.

The Rams have an unblemished record and are considered the frontrunners in the flag race, scoring a 38-point win the last time the two sides met in Round 5.

“We were in the game for most of the (last) time we played them,” Rogers said.

“We just dropped away at the last 15 minutes so we know our best is good enough, we’ve just got to do that for four quarters.

“We learnt from where we made our mistakes and we’ve been working on where we’re trying to improve in those areas.

“Hopefully the next time we play them, those things will stand out where we’ve improved and whether we can match it. We know they’re a very tough side so it’s exciting for us.”

Defender Shannon Walsh was judged best-on-ground and midfielder Darcy Carrigan gave another standout performance in his 100th game in the win over Silvan.

Walsh also went into the ruck when Todd Clayton went down with a hamstring injury early.

Rogers said Carrigan had been a great servant of the club.

“With that group of kids he is the leader of that group,” he said.

“The way he goes about playing, they jump on his back and he helps drive that group.”

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