EFL 2019: Mitcham to meet Ringwood in Division 2 grand final

Mitcham will contend for its second premiership under Neil Winterton after eliminating Boronia from the EFL Division 2 flag race in straight sets.

Jake Parente gets his boot to the ball. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Who would have thought it?

Mitcham conceded the first six goals in its first final against Heathmont but scraped through in an extra-time classic.

From a 35-point deficit and appearing as if they would be bundled out of the EFL Division 2 flag race at the first hurdle, the Tigers are into the grand final.

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Mitcham eliminated Boronia in straight sets in Saturday’s preliminary final at East Burwood Reserve to advance to the decider against Ringwood.

Mitcham coach Neil Winterton. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“You would have got pretty long odds of getting through to a grand final halfway through that second quarter (against Heathmont),” Mitcham coach Neil Winterton said.

“Our last six-and-a-half quarters have been as good as we have played all year — certainly against Boronia was our best four-quarter performance.

“I think we took a lot of belief out of that win against Heathmont that we were able to come back from such a big margin.

“Being such a young group, they’ve now seen if we play the way we can that we can win from any situation.”

Jarrod West looks for options. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Boronia kicked with the wind but conceded the first three goals in the opening minutes and was left to play catch-up football.

Mitcham kept Boronia at arm’s length for the remainder of the contest to score a 7.7 (49) to 4.7 (31) win, ending the Hawks’ quest for back-to-back flags.

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“We were able to shut them down from scoring throughout the day,” Winterton said.

“I don’t think they ever scored back-to-back goals. We just never allowed them to get back into the game.”

Mitcham will start as outsiders in Sunday’s decider against a Ringwood side that is keen to make atone for last year’s shock defeat when it suffered its first loss of the season in the decider.

Michael Barro feeds out a handball. Picture: James Ross/AAP

Winterton, who is hoping to be a two-time Mitcham premiership coach to go with the 2015 flag, declared his side could go all the way.

“I think this season has shown that anyone can beat anyone,” he said.

“They’re certainly favourites. They’re in ripping form at the moment but I certainly believe if we can play the way we did against Boronia we can beat anyone.”

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