EFL Division 3: Fairpark survives relegation, consigns Scoresby to Division 4

Fairpark has survived relegation from the EFL’s Division 3 – and consigned a rival to a fourth drop in eight years.

FAIRPARK has survived relegation – and consigned a rival to the drop – in a cut-throat final-round clash.

The Lions will remain in the Eastern league’s Division 3 next season following a 9.7 (61) to 7.8 (50) victory over Scoresby on Saturday.

The result means the Magpies finish eighth with a 4-12 record and will be demoted to Division 4 alongside Glen Waverley (ninth, 3-13).

Both sides entered the match vying to stay in the division. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Fairpark and Scoresby entered the match on equal points with the winner spared the drop.

It’s the second consecutive season the Lions have narrowly avoided relegation after finishing last in 2021’s shortened season, as the league froze automatic promotion and relegation.

Meanwhile, Scoresby has been relegated for a fourth time in eight years – after it slid from the top-flight in 2014, the second tier in 2015 and the third tier in 2019.

Fairpark senior coach Sean Stanton described Saturday’s victory as a “relief” as his charges held off the Magpies after leading by 22 points at the final change.

The Lions are celebrating a second narrow escape from the divisional drop in as many years. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The 2019 Division 4 premiership coach said he was “Lost for words, speechless” after the match.

“It was a relief when the final siren went,” Stanton said.

“It says heaps about the group – they’re super brave, they’re resilient, it hasn’t always been smooth-sailing this year.

“There’s been opportunities for them to put up a white flag and throw the towel in, but they’ve gone the opposite way – they’ve continued to dig in.

“I’ve been involved in some premierships which has been great, and yesterday was right up there with one of the best games I’ve been involved in.”

Stanton pointed to leaders Mitch Nied, Ben McLeod and Nick Macente as “huge” in a heavily contested final term in trying conditions.

Missing ruckman Kyle Hird, the coach made special mention of veteran Nick Cowan who stepped in to fill the void.

The Lions called on Nick Cowan to fill the void of sidelined ruckman Kyle Hird. Picture: Davis Harrigan

“We brought him back up yesterday to play that ruck role, he did it solo and he was huge,” Stanton said.

The Lions were also missing premiership trio Jesse Pearce, Ronnie McKendry and James Topp.

Saturday’s match marked two wins from the club’s past three matches to finish the season – with a 101-point loss to Warrandyte last weekend.

But the 5-11 record is cause for optimism according to Stanton, who said his club would be “actively looking to recruit” ahead of next season.

“We did make some inroads and there’s still plenty more to make, because it’s obviously not lost upon us that we did finish in the lower part of the ladder,” he said.

“But there’s been some good signs this year … we want to eventually become a Division 2 club and go from there.”

Scoresby will compete in Division 4 next season while Fairpark remains in Division 3. Picture: Davis Harrigan

The Division 3 final four has the Waverley Blues three games clear in first on the ladder with a 15-1 record, followed by Warrandyte (12-4), Donvale (10-6) and Coldstream (9-6-1).

The Blues will take on Warrandyte in a Sunday semi-final with the winner to advance to the grand final, while Donvale and Coldstream meet for a second-consecutive week on Saturday, with the winner set for a preliminary final.

Both matches will be played at Ringwood’s Jubilee Park.

Donvale held off Coldstream in Saturday’s final-round clash by nine points.