EFL Division 2: The Basin secures first finals appearance since 2018

It started the season winless from four games – and began last weekend clinging to the top five. Here’s how The Basin pulled off an unlikely finals berth in the EFL’s Division 2.

It started the weekend clinging to fifth.

And finished in fourth.

The Basin booked its finals spot in a cliffhanging final home-and-away round of the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Saturday.

The Bears proved too strong for Mulgrave in a 12.20 (92) to 8.5 (53) victory to secure their place in the top five – and deny Templestowe a finals berth.

But the Dockers’ demise wasn’t just The Basin’s doing – ninth-placed Knox jagged an unlikely draw with finals-bound Boronia to keep them out.

Boronia slid from fourth to fifth – ahead of Templestowe by 20 per cent, which defeated Heathmont.

The achievement of finals isn’t lost on The Basin senior coach Justin Stanton, whose side began the season winless after four rounds.

It meets Boronia in an elimination final this Sunday at Mitcham’s Walker Park – the club’s first final since 2018.

The Basin is through to its first finals series since 2018. Picture: Stuart Milligan

“We were disappointed … we set ourselves some lofty goals going into the season and to be a draw and three losses from our first four games wasn’t the start we were looking for,” Stanton said.

“Then we had a bunch of injuries, but to the guys’ credit and the club overall, we’ve all worked hard and pushed one-another.”

The Bears edged ahead by 10 points at half-time after a tight opening term, before kicking away to a 16-point lead by the final change.

Deon Boavida led the way in attack with four majors while Jayden Goumas ran tirelessly through the midfield in a best afield display.

The result caps four wins from five starts in the past month, putting paid to any concerns of consistency Stanton had leading into the match.

“It was concerning going into the game on the basis of our inconsistent form this year, but we were really pleased with the way we played against Templestowe the week earlier,” he said.

“Our ball movement and just overall contribution from all 22 was the positive we took out of that.

“Going in on the weekend, I thought ‘Are we going to have a flat spot like we’ve had previously?’ To the guys’ credit they were up and about and we felt that we dominated the play all day, just kicked inaccurately and when you kick inaccurately you leave the door ajar.

“To Mulgrave’s credit they’ve played some terrific footy this year.”

The Basin coach Justin Stanton. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Stanton said his group “dug really deep” as it overcame the losses of forwards Jackson Drake (ankle) and Corey Intveen (hamstring) during the match.

Drake is a “wait and see” prospect for this week while Intveen is tipped to be out for “two or three” matches, according to Stanton.

“Those two are pretty critical to how we set up forward of the footy,” Stanton said.

“We managed to shuffle things around and because it was so blustery every second quarter we were able to set up and cover them reasonably well.”

Little has separated The Basin and Boronia this season, with a draw in Round 3 and a seven-point result to the Bears telling the tale ahead of this weekend’s elimination bout.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for us,” Stanton said.

“This is my fifth year at the club, and they (Boronia) would’ve taken the honours … this year we’ve been able to have a draw earlier and then we got them – there’s nothing in it between us two.”

Meanwhile, Ringwood (second) meets East Burwood (third) in a qualifying final at Mitcham’s Walker Park on Saturday. Minor premier South Belgrave has the week off and will play the winner in a semi-final on August 27.