NFL 2018: Mernda facing challenge from second-year club Laurimar as it battles to hold on to Division 3 finals spot

LAURIMAR will be eyeing its maiden Northern Football League finals berth as it vies with Mernda for the last spot up for grabs in the Division 3 top four.

LAURIMAR will be eyeing its maiden Northern Football League finals berth as it vies with Mernda for the last spot up for grabs.

St Mary’s, Panton Hill and South Morang have locked in a top-four finish with two rounds remaining, with Mernda (fourth) and Laurimar (fifth) battling to join them.

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The Demons are one game and almost 10 per cent ahead of the Power, yet they have contrasting runs in the remaining rounds.

Laurimar takes on bottom-two sides Lalor and Reservoir, while Mernda has to play St Mary’s and Panton Hill.

One win could be enough for the Demons to secure a finals spot, but if Laurimar can produce two percentage-boosting victories Mernda could need to triumph in both games.

The Demons survived a scare from Lalor on Saturday, edging their contest 8.9 (57) to 7.7 (49) after the Bloods fought back from 21 points down at halftime.

Laurimar is chasing a finals spot in its first year under coach Justin Sherman. Picture: David Smith.

Brad Dimech, Michael Aparo and Rohan Davies hauled Mernda to a victory which allowed it to maintain its top-four spot for at least another week.

Laurimar officially ended Kilmore’s faint finals hopes with a 69-point victory, 13.16 (94) to 3.7 (25).

The Power were never threatened after they booted 37 points clear of the Blues in the second term at Laurimar Reserve.

Dallas King continued his fine season in front of goal with three majors, while Vian Swanepoel and Mitchell Thompson were impressive.

Mernda is clinging to its spot in the NFL Division 3 top four. Picture: Richard Serong

Thompson has been one of the form players in the division, named in Laurimar’s best players in its past six matches.

Elsewhere, South Morang downed Heidelberg West by 41 and Matthew Byron (12) and Rhys Boyden (10) combined for 22 goals in Panton Hill’s 227-point demolition of Reservoir.

The Redbacks appear likely to finish second and set up a major semi-final against St Mary’s, which had the bye on Saturday.

The Burra tackle Mernda away in Round 17, while Laurimar travels to Lalor.

Panton Hill meets Kilmore and Reservoir hosts Heidelberg West in the remaining fixtures.

HOW THE LADDER LOOKS

St Mary’s 13-1 200.5%

Panton Hill 10-4 174.5%

South Morang 10-4 150.1%

Mernda 9-5 116.6%

Laurimar 8-6 106.6%