Watsonia has one foot in NFNL Division 2 finals after win over Northcote Park
Watsonia is on the verge of a drought-breaking NFNL Division 2 finals berth after a nail-biting win over Northcote Park in a mini elimination final.
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Watsonia took a giant step towards a drought-breaking NFNL Division 2 finals appearance on Saturday.
In a mini elimination final at Binnak Park, the Saints finished strongly to secure a stirring 14-point win over Northcote Park.
Watsonia hasn’t played finals since winning the Division 3 premiership in 2016 and hasn’t made Division 2 finals since 2008.
The 10.12 (72) to 8.10 (58) victory moves it a game clear of the Cougars in fifth spot with one game remaining.
The Saints can lock in finals with a win over ladder-leader Diamond Creek or, if not, hope Northcote Park doesn’t upset Eltham.
After getting smashed by 98 points by the Panthers the week before, it’s a significant response from Watsonia.
Watsonia coach George Lattouf said it was a testament to his players character.
“(Saturday) was a great win, my players showed so much spirit, all day they didn’t give up. It was a brilliant team effort,” he said.
“Both sides were just going at it, it was played in great spirit, and to our credit we stuck to it, played tough footy for each other.
“I’ll be honest, we always want to play finals, but the focus for our team was just winning the game at home for our supporters.
“Northcote Park has come down from Division 1, they’re a quality outfit, so to play like we did against that team at home, I’m very proud.”
The two teams were rarely separated by more than a kick all day.
Watsonia jumped out to a 14-point lead at quarter-time but went goalless in the second term as Northcote Park took control and a two-point half-time lead.
Leading by five points at the final change, the Saints went two goals up early in the final term before momentum swung back to the Cougars.
The visitors hit the front half-way through the quarter but Watsonia didn’t wilt and Jack Larkin put the team on his back with, first a tying behind, before what proved to be the winning goal.
A quick kick out of a pack landed in Larkin’s lap and a 50m penalty took him to the goalline for the simplest of finishes.
“They hit the front but to our credit, we didn’t panic, we continued to play the way we want to,” Lattouf said.
“We bounced back strongly in the last quarter and got the last two goals of the game, which is fantastic.
“We wanted to win the contested footy, keep surging the ball forward and anything can happen in the forward line when it gets in there.”
James Love was named best-on-ground for an impressive display in midfield, racking up disposals and laying several critical tackles to stop Northcote Park clearances.
Josh Boulton, Ben Callaghan and Jamie Haber were also strong contributors, while Adrian Alfonsi booted a game-high three goals.
“James (Love), he played senior footy at Greensborough, he’s been up-and-down with injury but he was sensational, he’s a leader of our footy club,” Lattouf said.
“Our whole leadership group stood up but he just made tackle and tackle after tackle in that last quarter.”
For Northcote Park, James Tadd was best afield, while Josh Perry, Daniel Tallariti and Mitch Perry were all important.
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The top-five battle isn’t officially over as Watsonia faces Diamond Creek at Coventry Oval, Northcote Park hosts Eltham at Bill Lawry Oval and South Morang travels to Lower Plenty.
Sitting sixth, the Cougars will have to upset the Panthers and hope either the Saints or Lions lose to play finals.
Elsewhere in Division 2, the Creekers eased past Thomastown by 32 points to end the Bears’ finals hopes, while Eltham battered Lower Plenty by 133.
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