Greensborough clinches NFL Division 1 finals for seventh straight season

Greensborough clinched fifth and a seventh straight NFL Division 1 finals appearance with a mini-elimination final win over Macleod.

Ben Pannam in action for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Greensborough punched its NFL Division 1 finals ticket with a 24-point win over Macleod on Saturday.

The Borough clinched fifth, denying the Kangaroos a chance to leapfrog them into finals, and an elimination final date with West Preston-Lakeside.

With its campaign on the line, Greensborough extended its league-leading finals streak to seven seasons with a 14.14 (98) to 10.14 (74) victory at DeWinton Park.

“It was pretty simple but it was a good challenge to get the boys up for the week,” Borough coach Saade Ghazi said after the game.

“We’ve got no one else to blame, we hadn’t won enough games during the year and then a curve ball last week when we did win.

Tom Brindley gets a kick for Greensborough. Picture: Hamish Blair

“We knew coming up here it wasn’t going to be easy, Macleod’s had some good wins – they’ve beaten North Heidelberg and West Preston twice – so we’re grateful for the four points.”

Greensborough jumped out to a 10-point lead at quarter-time and were never headed.

Trailing by 34 points at the final change, Macleod mounted a final-term comeback but will rue inaccuracy, booting 4.5.

Borough star Tom Bell booted three goals, as did young forward Jackson Hasler.

Billy Bedford was named best-on-ground for the victors, along with fellow defenders Jack Johnston and Angus Seivers, while Ben Pannam impressed in midfield.

Ghazi credited his backline for setting up the win and his young ruck duo helping combat Kangaroos gun Patrick Flynn.

“I thought our back half was pretty good – Seivers, Riddle and Billy Bedford played probably his back game,” he said.

“Belly was good again, his second half was exceptional, young Jackson Hasler kicked three and Tom Brindley was serviceable against their ruckman.

Angus Seivers wins the ball for Greensborough. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We’ve been playing young Will McFawn, an 18-year-old from the 19s, in the ruck as well, he can leap and it’s taken a bit of pressure off Tom.”

Brad Leggett was Macleod’s best in defeat, while Jordan Corelli, Haydon Manuel and Kobe Brandt stood tall and Luke Joyce kicked two goals.

The result sees Greensborough take on two-time reigning premier West Preston-Lakeside.

The pair played out a nail-biting 87-all draw at War Memorial Reserve in Round 6 before West Preston claimed a 17-point victory at Moore Park in Round 11.

The Roosters denied the Borough’s perfect season bid in 2019 with an upset grand final victory but Ghazi said it would play no part in the build up.

“They’re going to be hard to beat, I know the clubs have had some great tussles over the years,” he said.

“They’ve had our measure so far this year, they beat us last time and we had a draw, they’re well coached and we’re looking forward to it.

“They’re the reigning premiers, Robbie is a really good coach, it’s not about ending (their run), it’s about us keeping winning.

“We won’t be discussing (2019), it’s an elimination final so it doesn’t matter who you’re playing.”

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The Borough could be boosted by as many as four big inclusions.

Josh Caddy will return from a two-week suspension, Tynan Smith will return from VFL duties and Zak McCubbin and Will Reinhold are expected to be fit after groin and ankle issues.

West Preston-Lakeside claimed an impressive 12-point win over Montmorency to stake their claim as a premiership dark horse.

The Magpies will face Bundoora in the qualifying final on Saturday with the loser to face Greensborough or West Preston-Lakeside.