NFL 2018: Greensborough pumped for Preston return ahead of Division 1 elimination final

GREENSBOROUGH will take heart from its dominant display in last year’s elimination final as it plots to end Bundoora’s Division 1 premiership defence this weekend.

Greensborough Charlie Molyneux Northern Football League. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

GREENSBOROUGH will take heart from its dominant display in last year’s elimination final as it plots to end Bundoora’s Division 1 premiership defence this weekend.

The Boro and Bulls, both considered genuine premiership contenders, will clash in a Northern Football League elimination final on Sunday.

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Greensborough found itself in the same position in 2017, battling back from a 2-5 start to the campaign to finish fifth.

The club’s knockout final against West Preston-Lakeside was a one-sided affair as it progressed to the second week of finals with a 31-point victory, restricting the Roosters to only three goals.

Co-coach Mick Harford said the Boro’s disciplined display at Preston City Oval last year would give them belief they could extend their finals stay again.

“Last year no one expected us to win that final,” Harford said.

“West Preston had beaten us really comfortably both times.

Greensborough’s Charlie Molyneux will be a key figure in Sunday’s elimination final against Bundoora. Picture: Nathan McNeill.

“Probably smashed us, to be perfectly honest. But our performance in that first final was exceptional.

“We do have reasonable outside run which gives us a good standing on the big, open spaces at Preston.”

Midfield general Charlie Molyneux looms as a key figure for Greensborough, showcasing his quality in the clinches in the final rounds of the home-and-away season.

“His inside work is pretty special, to be fair,” Harford said.

“To have a player of that calibre in there that can win the ball and if we can get it out to our outside run, we can hopefully do some damage from our halfbacks.”

Greensborough’s Lachlan Hill gets a kick away earlier this season.

Harford said the pace provided by Jack Johnston, Michael Croxford, Matthew Haynes and Jacob Ireland would make the Boro dangerous on the wider expanses at Preston.

Greensborough defeated Bundoora by 46 points in Round 2, but the Bulls prevailed in their Round 17 fixture by 17 points to clinch a top-five finish.

“Even though Macleod have been the standout and deserve to be favourites, I still think the competition is so close and on any day you can beat anybody,” Harford said.

“I genuinely think that.”

Macleod has the weekend off after finishing as minor premier, while North Heidelberg and West Preston-Lakeside will clash in Saturday’s qualifying final.

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