EFL Division 4: Kilsyth books first finals appearance in seven years

Its spot in the four was up for grabs, but Kilsyth wasn’t to be denied its first finals series in years on Saturday in the EFL’s Division 4. Here’s why.

KILSYTH has broken the drought.

The Cougars qualified for their first finals series since 2015 on Saturday with a 14.8 (92) to 9.11 (65) victory over Croydon North-MLOC in the Eastern league’s Division 4.

The finals berth rested on banking a win in the weekend’s final round of the season – with fifth-placed Forest Hill threatening to sneak in.

The Zebras entered the weekend a game and 10 per cent behind the Cougars and needed a percentage-boosting victory – and Croydon North-MLOC to snag a win – for finals to eventuate.

Kilsyth toasts its first finals series in seven years. Picture: Kilsyth FC

Forest Hill held up its end of the deal as it consigned Nunawading to a winless season with a 171-point result, lifting its percentage by some 12 per cent.

A game and .05 per cent separated the Cougars (8-8) and Zebras (7-9) as the curtain fell on the 16-round home-and-away season.

The Cougars will play third-placed Chirnside Park in a cut-throat semi-final at East Burwood Reserve next Sunday – the club’s first finals showing since the 2015 Division 4 grand final.

Kilsyth won just three matches from 11 starts last season and senior coach Simon Caldwell said Saturday’s breakthrough signalled significant improvement in 12 months.

He pointed to his side’s past month, winning its last three matches including a crucial clash with Forest Hill in Round 16.

The milestone of a first finals campaign in seven years isn’t lost on the Cougars’ mentor.

“Probably the last three or four weeks have been finals for us really – looking at the draw as you do, we knew we had to beat Forest Hill to level up and the week before Surrey Park did the right thing by us (by beating Forest Hill),” Caldwell said.

“We knew we had to win (on Saturday) … it’s an achievement for the group – it just shows a lot of improvement from where we were.

“It’s just been that natural improvement, and you can see the smiles on the faces of the supporters who’ve been around a long time – it’s an achievement in itself getting there.”

Kilsyth coach Simon Caldwell. Picture: Davis Harrigan

Versatile defender Drew Sells led the Cougars’ charge with a best afield display, as they led Croydon North-MLOC at all changes.

They charged to a 24-point quarter-time lead before extending the margin to 28 and 35 at the main and final breaks.

Meanwhile, spearhead Ryan Goodinson continued his dominant season in attack with a leading four goals, taking his season total to 59 from 16 matches.

Caldwell pointed to his side’s grunt as the difference.

“It was nothing special from us – it was a real grind, and contested footy,” he said.

“We’ve been massively up with our contested footy … that’s our brand and the other stuff will happen after that.”

In other Division 4 results, Surrey Park upset ladder-leader Silvan for the second time this season with a 42-point win.

The pair meet again in a semi-final next Saturday at East Burwood Reserve, with the winner advancing to the grand final.