EFL 2019: Park Orchards pinches final spot in Division 1 finals

Park Orchards grabbed the remaining spot in the EFL Division 1 top five on a dramatic final day of the home-and-away season after Upper Ferntree Gully let slip a golden chance to book an elimination final berth.

Park Orchards coach Dennis Armfield. Picture: Stuart Milligan

It was fitting there was one last twist in the EFL Division 1 home-and-away season.

Upper Ferntree Gully left an opening and Park Orchards capitalised to pinch the final spot in the top five by the barest of margins on Saturday.

The Kings started the final round a game clear in fifth but were dislodged from the finals equation after an upset 18-point defeat against relegation-bound Knox.

Park Orchards will instead advance to this weekend’s elimination final thanks to a 17-point triumph over Bayswater.

Just 3.72 per cent separated Park Orchards, Upper Gully and East Ringwood, with the three sides squared on an 8-10 record.

Park Orchards coach Dennis Armfield revealed the emotional toll of the past week after the Round 17 defeat against Wantirna South appeared to end the Sharks’ finals hopes.

Jaye Witnish in action for Park Orchards. Picture: Fabiano Giagnacovo

“The emotions this week have been up and down,” Armfield said.

“You go from a loss against Wantirna (South) … you go from being in control to out of control.

“It didn’t look likely and even today, I told the boys, ‘It’s the last game at home and all we can control is what we do out on this oval’.

“That was what it was all about, it was about representing the club, representing the jumper and your teammates as best you could.

“I thought the boys did that but when you hear Knox (won), it hit me a little bit — I got a little bit teary after the game.

“I just want what’s best for this club, what’s best for the boys and we’ve got a great bunch … it gave me a teary moment to know we’ve made it.”

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To highlight the unpredictable nature of the competition, fifth spot changed hands four times between Mooroolbark, Park Orchards and Upper Gully in the final month of the season.

But it was the Sharks’ percentage that gave them the right to advance to an elimination final, where it will meet Bayswater in consecutive weeks.

Park Orchards led by three points at three-quarter time before recording 16.12 (108) to 14.7 (91) win at Domeney Reserve.

“We’re there now and this is what you play footy for — finals footy — now it’s important that we do everything we can to front up against Bayswater again next week,” Armfield said.

“They’ll be a different side again. They had a few (out), whether rested or sore, whatever it was.

“They’ll get a few of those boys back but for us it’s just about doing what we do.

“I’ve been trying to talk about playing our way and doing it our way.

“I’ve come in to back the boys in to play off instinct and play off their flair and finesse.

“Anyone can win on their day, it’s who fronts up and who plays the conditions better depending on what weather it is.”

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