EFL: Blackburn facing challenging month after moving into the top five for the first time this year

BLACKBURN is facing a defining month if it wants to record consecutive Division 1 finals appearances for the first time in a decade.

Blackburn spearhead Jake Hammond has kicked 25 goals this year. Picture: Davis Harrigan

BLACKBURN is facing a defining month if it wants to record consecutive Division 1 finals appearances for the first time in nearly decade.

Last year’s preliminary finalists have turned their season around from 1-3, winning their past four games and moving into the top five for the first time this year.

But with fixtures against a rejuvenated Norwood and fellow top-five sides Rowville, Vermont and Doncaster over the next four weeks, Blackburn’s finals hopes could hinge on the coming month.

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“It’s going to be tough but at the end of the day if you’re going to be up there when the whips are cracking, you’ve got to beat those teams,” Blackburn coach Brendan Allen said.

“With the way the competition is, it’s going to be pretty pivotal, make or break, I probably wouldn’t go that far but obviously if we lose all four we’re in a bit of trouble.

“Best case scenario is you win all four, 3-1 you’re happy with that, 2-2 you’re still thereabouts.”

The Burners could be boosted by the inclusion of star defender Max Otten from a knee reconstruction for the clash against Norwood, while vice-captain Nathan Hammond is a month away from returning from a hamstring tendon injury.

Blackburn last made the top five in back-to-back seasons in 2008 and 2009.

After a slow start to the season, first-year coach Allen was confident his side was starting to find form at the halfway mark of the campaign.

The Burners have had two narrow wins over Balwyn and Montrose since Round 5, but its two other victories in that time have been by an average of 59 points.

“There was a little bit of a teething period, the little tweaks I have made and getting used to players, players getting used to me, it is all starting to sort itself out,” he said.

“We’re starting to gather a bit of form and a bit of continuity in what we’re doing so that always helps.”