NFL 2018: Thomastown clinches last finals spot in Division 2 on percentage ahead of Diamond Creek

FROM eight goals down during the third quarter, Thomastown staged an almighty comeback to qualify for Northern Football League finals on percentage.

Thomastown Anthony Capeci cops a coat hanger from a Diamond Creek opponent during their Northern Football League match. Picture: Aaron Cook.

THOMASTOWN has never celebrated a loss with such gusto.

The Bears qualified for Northern Football League finals by 1.33 per cent despite a two-point loss to Diamond Creek on Saturday, staging an almighty comeback from eight goals down during the third quarter.

BUNDOORA PLANS FOR ANOTHER PREMIERSHIP TILT

COACHES REVEAL SECRETS TO PRESTON SUCCESS

HURSTBRIDGE SURVIVES RELEGATION ON LAST DAY

There was a stage early in the third term when Thomastown appeared more likely to be planning for mad Monday than plotting Banyule’s downfall in a Division 2 semi-final.

Outplayed for much of the first half at Main Street Reserve, the Bears were 39 points behind at halftime and staring at an early exit to their campaign.

The fightback started in earnest when Thomastown booted the last four goals of the third quarter, trimming the deficit to 23 points.

Knowing they only needed to get within 10 points to deny Diamond Creek a finals berth, the Bears kicked 5.6 to 2.3 in the last quarter.

“We were talking about it after the game and the boys were saying it is the best loss they have ever been involved in,” Thomastown coach Ben Chapman said.

“It was a bizarre day.”

Thomastown Anthony Capeci cops a coat hanger from a Diamond Creek opponent during their Northern Football League match. Picture: Aaron Cook.

Adrian Natoli, David Folino and Josh Beare were instrumental in their side’s comeback, while Anthony Calafiore, Jacob Osei-Duro and Anthony Capeci kicked three goals apiece.

“Our emphasis was on winning the game, not getting within eight points,” Chapman said.

“We were going out to try and win the game. You’re watching the scoreboard, watching the time clock and thinking ‘are we going to get close enough?’

“It was a great effort by the boys. They are a really resilient bunch.”

Thomastown will tackle a Banyule side which has won its past four matches in a knockout semi-final on Sunday at Epping.

Banyule has accounted for Thomastown twice this season, by five points in Round 4 and 55 points in Round 11.

“They are probably the in-form side of the competition at the moment,” Chapman said.

“They are fairly potent and score heavily. Last time we played them it was probably the worst performance I have been involved with as a coach.

“We just didn’t turn up to play at all. We were hopeful we’d get another opportunity.”

Eltham and Lower Plenty will vie for a grand final berth in the major semi-final on Saturday.