EFL 2019: Heathmont remains in Division 2 finals race

Heathmont remains in the EFL Division 2 flag race but Jets coach Kyle Emley has declared his side will need to win four of its five remaining games to feature in a fourth consecutive finals series.

Brent English sends Heathmont into attack. Picture: Chris Mirtschin

The EFL Division 2 premiership race is down to five.

And Heathmont coach Kyle Emley believes any one of the clubs left in the flag fight could claim the silverware.

The Jets have a 7-6 record and are a game-and-a-half outside the top four with five rounds remaining, but their Round 13 win over Ringwood has given them a chance of a fourth consecutive finals appearance.

Mitcham, Boronia, Ringwood and Templestowe sit above Heathmont, and in an even season, one of the quintet will be an unlucky spectator.

Just two games separate first to fifth and four of the sides are split by 5.76 per cent.

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“Definitely the top five sides are all pretty even. I think that anyone could win it,” Emley said.

“Some teams match up against other teams really well … whoever has the majority of their list together in finals will be the ones to watch.

“We’ve beaten everyone bar Mitcham and Mitcham have lost a couple in a row to other teams in the top five, so they’re not unbeatable.

“I thought Ringwood was the best side when we played them the first time … Boronia has a really strong set up and Templestowe has some quality players who were missing when we played them and some good VFL-listers.

“Every team has some strengths that on their day, they could win it. It will be a quality finals series no matter who makes it.”

Heathmont has used 42 players, such is the length of its injury and retirement lists.

“Last Tuesday at selection we put together a team of 19 players who were injured at the moment and it was a pretty good side,” Emley said.

“I said at the start of the year that I think 11 wins will make the finals … I still think that’s the case and that means we’ve got to win four out of our last five to give ourselves a chance.”

Heathmont plays the bottom three clubs — The Basin, Mulgrave and Scoresby — in the run home and will also need to account for one of, or both, Mitcham and Boronia to play finals.

“On paper, you would say they’re the ones you should win if you’re going to make the finals — beat the teams below you — but we’re playing The Basin at their ground, which is one of the tougher away trips in the division,” Emley said.

“We probably get a couple of players back after the break. Both our captains will hopefully be back playing for us — Dylan Sverns and Tom Rourke, who have both been missing the last month.

“Hopefully the break will just freshen up a few guys for one more crack at the last five weeks.”

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