Northern Football League run home: where will your club finish?
We’re in the home stretch of the Northern Football League season and we’ve dusted off the crystal ball to predict every club’s finish. Did we get it right?
Northern
Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Here we go, we’re in the home stretch of the local footy season.
After the last two years we’re pumped for finals footy to hit the suburbs again and the Northern Football League offers plenty.
The finals races across the three divisions are nearing an end but if this season has taught us anything it’s anything can happen.
CHECK OUT FULL DIVISION LADDERS AT THE BOTTOM
We’ve looked into our crystal ball and attempted to predict the final games of the season and how that shakes up the ladder.
No doubt this will serve as plenty of message board motivation for players and punters out there to prove us wrong.
DIVISION 1
HEIDELBERG (13-0-1, 179.01%)
Last Five: West Preston-Lakeside (H), Greensborough (A), Macleod (H), Northcote Park (A)
Can the Tigers finish off the season without loss or is the “necessary loss” inevitable. West Preston-Lakeside and Greensborough will certainly be setting themselves for matches in rounds 15 and 16. Games against Macleod and Northcote Park round out the season before a likely bye in the first round of finals.
Prediction: WWWW – 1st
MONTMORENCY (10-0-3, 156.06%)
Last Five: Macleod (H), Bundoora (H), North Heidelberg (A), West Preston-Lakeside (H)
Monty got out of jail thanks to an 11-goal fourth-term on Saturday after trailling Whittlesea by 22 points at the final chance. It might be the kick up the backside they need ahead of a tricky final month. We’ll get an early qualifying final preview in Round 16 when the Magpies host Bundoora at Montmorency Park.
Prediction: WWWW – 2nd
BUNDOORA (10-0-4, 138.43%)
Last Five: Greensborough (H), Montmorency (A), Northcote Park (H), North Heidelberg (H)
The Bulls went into the bye with a strong win over Macleod to all but lock in the double chance. Sitting two games clear of West Preston-Lakeside and a game back of Montmorency could allow Michael Ryan is experiment a little in the run home to find his team’s best set up. Losing David Zaharakis is a major blow to their flag hopes. The Round 16 clash against Montmorency at Montmorency looks a qualifying final preview.
Prediction: WLWW – 3rd
WEST PRESTON-LAKESIDE (8-1-5, 101.17%)
Last Five: Heidelberg (A), Macleod (A), Hurstbridge (H), Montmorency (A)
Plenty saying don’t sleep on West Preston ahead of finals and the Roosters premiership run in 2019 is an obvious reminder. What looks a good run home could have the two-time reigning premier in top form for the pointy end of the season but if the Division 1 season so far has taught us anything it’s don’t chicken before they hatch. The fitness of star forward Ahmed Saad is a major issue ahead of finals. An elimination final against Greensborough looks a formality.
Prediction: LLWL – 5th
GREENSBOROUGH (7-1-6, 120.88%)
Last Five: Bundoora (A), Heidelberg (H), Whittlesea (H), Macleod (A)
The Borough are now six points clear in fifth spot after a comeback win over North Heidelberg on Saturday and all but locked in for an elimination final. While we haven’t seen it often this season, Greensy is more than capable of playing high-quality football and an upset win over Bundoora isn’t out of the question this weekend.
Prediction: LLWW – 4th
MACLEOD (6-0-8, 76.47%)
Last Five: Montmorency (A), West Preston-Lakeside (H), Heidelberg (A), Greensborough (H)
That is a nasty final four games for the Kangas. Macleod will give Montmorency and Heidelberg a run for their money but West Preston and Greensborough at home look more winnable. Greensborough is now six points (and considerable percentage) clear in fifth spot on Saturday, making finals a tough ask.
Prediction: LWLL – 7th
NORTH HEIDELBERG (5-0-9, 102.33%)
Last Five: Hurstbridge (H), Whittlesea (A), Montmorency (H), Bundoora (A)
It’s been a year of what-ifs for North Heidelberg and there was another on Saturday in the loss to Greensborough. The Bulldogs led all day only to be overrun. The injection of Majak Daw was a major plus but an ankle injury to Jesse Tardio is dissapointing. Finals are now out of reach with four games remaining and North will be playing for pride.
Prediction: WWLL – 6th
HURSTBRIDGE (3-0-11, 72.46%)
Last Five: North Heidelberg (A), Northcote Park (H), West Preston-Lakeside (A), Whittlesea (H)
The stunning upset win over Bundoora couldn’t have come at a better time for the Bridges and now puts them in the box seat for survival against Northcote Park and Whittlesea. The Cougars and Eagles must both travel to Ben Frilay Oval in the final five games and we’re tipping the home team to win both and cement their place in the top flight for another season.
Prediction: LWLW – 8th
NORTHCOTE PARK (3-0-11, 66.53%),
Last Five: Whittlesea (H), Hurstbridge (A), Bundoora (A), Heidelberg (H)
The Cougars survival rests in their hands and likely comes down to Saturday’s home game against Whittlesea. Win that and safety looks assured with a superior percentage to the Eagles’, lose and it’s hard to see where a win comes from. Speaking about percentage, matches against Bundoora and Heidelberg in the final fortnight will be critical as big losses could be disastrous if it does come down to that.
Prediction: WLLL – 9th
WHITTLESEA (3-0-11, 56.87%)
Last Five: Northcote Park (A), North Heidelberg (H) Greensborough (A), Hurstbridge (A)
Does the Division 1 relegation battle come down to this Saturday? If Whittlesea can take four points from Bill Lawry Oval, they’d be odds on to survive. While the loss to Montmorency will leave a sour taste after conceding 11 last-quarter goals, the overall performance will give the Eagles a lot of confidence moving forward. A win over North Heidelberg at the Showgrounds is also well within reach.
Prediction: LLLL – 10th
DIVISION 2
ELTHAM (14-0-1, 193.23%)
Last Five: St Mary’s (H), Fitzroy Stars (A), Epping (H)
What a season its been for Eltham and it continued on Saturday with an outstanding top-of-the-table win over Banyule to secure the minor premiership - barring disaster in the final three rounds of course. Coach Rob Hyde said after the game the club would be looking at ways to prepare itself for finals with soft kills Fitzroy and Epping in the final fortnight before a first-week bye.
Prediction: WWW – 1st
BANYULE (12-0-3, 171.97%)
Last Five: Epping (A), Diamond Creek (H), Watsonia (A)
The minor premiership race appears over after Eltham claimed the four points at Beverley Road on Saturday. Obviously, a flag means infinitely more so the Bears are far from a spent force. We’re tipping wins against Epping, Diamond Creek and Watsonia to have Banyule primed for a qualifying final against either the Creekers or Lower Plenty.
Prediction: WWW – 2nd
DIAMOND CREEK (11-0-4, 161.04%)
Last Five: Panton Hill (H), Banyule (A), Fitzroy Stars (H)
The Creekers’ got out of jail thanks to a controversial umpiring call on Saturday that helped them beat St Mary’s after the siren. As such, Diamo’s destiny remains in its hands - win out and the double chance is theirs. We’re locking in wins against Panton Hill and Fitzroy Stars but Banyule at Beverley Road looms as a stumbling block.
Prediction: WLW – 4th
LOWER PLENTY (10-1-4, 182.07%)
Last Five: Thomastown (A), St Mary’s (A), Panton Hill (H)
The Beats continued their strong form to beat Watsonia and secure a third straight win to keep the heat on Diamond Creek. The double chance remains within reach but Lower will need a favour from flag rival Banyule. That said, Thomastown on Saturday is far from a formality after the pair drew earlier this year.
Prediction: WWW – 3rd
ST MARY’S (8-0-7, 119.73%)
Last Five: Eltham (A), Lower Plenty (H), Thomastown (H)
The Burras came within seconds of upsetting Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval. A win would have all but sealed fifth spot but as it stands the club is on shakey ground with Thomastown coming home hot. St Mary’s will be hoping Lower Plenty can knock off the Bears on Saturday to give them some breathing room but the final round clash at Whatmough Park looms as a win-or-go-home blockbuster.
Prediction: LLW – 5th
THOMASTOWN (6-1-8, 140.24%)
Last Five: Lower Plenty (H), Panton Hill (A), St Mary’s (A)
The Bears remain in the hunt after knocking off Epping on Saturday. Thommo’s finals hopes now hinge on two games – Lower Plenty at Main Street on Saturday and St Mary’s at Whatmough Park in the season finale. The Bears held Lower Plenty to a draw earlier in the year and will fancy their chances at home. Win that and it’s game on against St Mary’s in Round 18 with the Burras having a nightmare run home.
Prediction: LWL – 7th
WATSONIA (6-0-9, 86.69%)
Last Five: Fitzroy Stars (H), Epping (H), Banyule (H)
The Saints have taken a big step forward this season but finals now look beyond them after falling behind Thomastown. Watsonia should pick up wins in the next fornight against Fitzroy and Epping before a difficult final round clash against Banyule.
Prediction: WWL – 6th
PANTON HILL (5-0-10, 59.95%)
Last Five: Diamond Creek (A), Thomastown (H), Lower Plenty (A)
Another strong step forward for the most precently promoted Division 2 club. Panton Hill now has five wins on the year but the final three weeks look tough. Eltham and Lower Plenty away makes for a difficult finish, while Thomastown is red-hot and still in finals contention.
Prediction: LLL – 8th
EPPING (2-0-13, 37.08%)
Last Five: Banyule (H), Watsonia (A), Eltham (A)
It’s hard to see Epping singing the song again in 2022. However, two wins over Fitzroy Stars has secured their place in Division 2 for 2023 and the club can start planning for 2023.
Prediction: LLL – 9th
FITZROY STARS (0-0-15, 31.99%)
Last Five: Watsonia (A), Eltham (H), Diamond Creek (A)
Sadly, it’s hard to see Fitzroy winning another game this season and relegation is all but assured. The Stars have never been relegated to Division 3 but will have a chance to regroup and regenerate after a difficult 2021-2022 that delivered just two wins.
Prediction: LLL – 10th
DIVISION 3
LAURIMAR (12-0-3, 244.76%)
Last Five: Kilmore (H), South Morang (A), Lalor (H)
After going down to South Morang in Round 14, the Power can’t afford another slip up if they are to take the minor premiership. The flag is obviously the main aim but two losses to the Lions in the final five weeks won’t reflect well on Laurimar’s chances. The two Division 3 powers are all but certain to meet in a qualifying final on August 20.
Prediction: WWW – 1st
SOUTH MORANG (12-0-3, 232.13%)
Last Five: Old Eltham Collegians (A), Laurimar (H), Mernda (H)
South Morang appears to be in top form heading into finals and will get a good test against Old Eltham (away) and Laurimar (home) in the next fortnight. The Round 17 clash sees the minor premiership go on the line against the Power and looms as a qualifying final - and potentially grand final - preview.
Prediction: WLW – 2nd
OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS (11-0-4, 209.24%)
Last Five: South Morang (H), Kilmore (A), Heidelberg West (H)
The Turtles face a tough stretch leading into finals, with a trip to Kilmore sandwiched between South Morang and Heidelberg West at Eltham College. The Round 17 clash against Kilmore at Clancy Reserve is a likely elimination final preview.
Prediction: LLW – 4th
KILMORE (10-0-5, 210.09%)
Last Five: Laurimar (A), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Reservoir (H)
The Blues sealed their finals spot on Saturday against Lalor and can now look forward to a likely elimination final against Old Eltham Collegians. The Blues will get an early look at the Turtles in Round 17.
Prediction: LWW – 3rd
HEIDELBERG WEST (7-0-8, 160.09%)
Last Five: Lalor (A), Mernda (H), Old Eltham Collegians (A)
The Hawks’ loss to South Morang combined with Kilmore’s victory over Lalor puts an end to the NFL Division 3 finals race. West would need to win all three games - which is very much doable - and then hope Reservoir can upset the Blues.
Prediction: WWL – 5th
MERNDA (6-0-9, 127.85%)
Last Five: Reservoir (H), Heidelberg West (A), South Morang (A)
The Demons’ finals hopes are now over. A tough road home now looms large with games against Laurimar and South Morang. However, after beating Heidelberg West in Round 13, a rematch at Heidelberg Park offers the opportunity to snare a late-season scalp, which is a big incentive.
Prediction: WLL – 6th
RESERVOIR (2-0-13, 11.71%)
Last Five: Mernda (A), Lalor (H), Kilmore (A)
The Mustangs have broken some important droughts this season, winning their first game since 2017 and multiple games in a season for the first time since 2015. However, the past month has been tough for Reservoir and it’s hard to see that changing. A Round 17 meeting with Lalor is an opportunity to complete the sweep and finish the season with a win.
Prediction: LLL – 7th
BULLS: ZAHARAKIS SET FOR REALITY TV SHOT
LEADER: GET YOUR NORTHERN FOOTY NEWS HERE
WINS: REMAINING UNDEFEATED LOCAL FOOTY CLUBS
LALOR (0-0-15, 11.98%)
Last Five: Heidelberg West (H), Reservoir (A), Laurimar (A)
The Bloods are yet to open their account this season but there is a massive chance on the horizon with a clash against Reservoir in Round 17. The Mustangs might have won both meetings so far this season but their form as dropped off considerably of late and Lalor will fancy their chances here.
Prediction: LLWL – 8th
Montmorency captain to be given until final minute
Montmorency is through to its first NFNL Division 1 grand final since 2013 and will give skipper Stef Uzelac until the final second to prove his fitness.
Ex-AFL names star on local footy’s biggest stage
Local footy grand finals were highlighted by stunning performances from ex-AFL names and even a state cricketer. Here’s a full wrap from across Victoria.