We gaze into the crystal ball to predict who plays NFNL Division 3 finals
We’re in the home stretch of the NFNL Division 3 season and the battle for the top-five is heating up. We predict every game and who plays finals.
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We’re entering the home straight of the NFNL Division 3.
There are just eight weeks remaining before finals and the top-five race is red hot.
Arguably, four teams are battling for two spots.
With Fitzroy Stars, Laurimar and Epping looking safe in the top-three, Kinglake, Mernda, Kilmore and Ivanhoe are all in contention.
We’ve looked in the crystal ball to try and predict how the run home will play out and who will have a shot at premiership glory.
FITZROY STARS (1st, 9-0-0, 248.64%)
Run home: Reservoir (H), Mernda (A), Laurimar (H), Bye, Kinglake (A), Kilmore (H), Epping (H), Reservoir (A)
Prediction: WWWBWWWW
Finish: 1st, 16-0-0
A big chance to complete an undefeated season. Faces its two major premiership challengers – Laurimar and Epping – at home having already beaten both away.
LAURIMAR (2nd, 8-0-1, 177.87%)
Run home: Kilmore (H), Kinglake (H), Fitzroy Stars (A), Epping (H), Mernda (A), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Bye, Ivanhoe (A)
Prediction: WWLWWWBW
Finish: 2nd, 14-0-2
Has only lost one game in the first half of the year and we predict will only lose one in the second half, both to Fitzroy Stars. Has four of its final seven games at home.
EPPING (3rd, 6-0-3, 135.22%)
Run home: Old Eltham Collegians (A), Lalor (H), Mernda (H), Laurimar (A), Kilmore (A), Ivanhoe (H), Fitzroy Stars (A), Bye
Prediction: WWWLLWLB
Finish: 3rd, 10-0-6
The Pingers are well set up to earn a top-three finish and the second chance. Has a tough run home with Laurimar, Kilmore and Fitzroy away before what could be an under-rated benefit – a Round 18 bye – to freshen up for finals.
KINGLAKE (4th, 5-0-3, 123.34%)
Run home: Heidelberg West (H), Laurimar (A), Ivanhoe (A), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Fitzroy Stars (H), Mernda (A), Lalor (A), Kilmore (H)
Prediction: WLLWLLWW
Finish: 5th, 9-0-7
The Lakers would be very happy with their first half of 2025 and have a shot at a top-three finish. With four teams vying for the final two spots, jagging a win against a fellow top-five rival would truly cement it.
IVANHOE (5th, 5-0-4, 126.67%)
Run home: Bye, Heidelberg West (A), Kinglake (H), Mernda (H), Old Eltham Collegians (A), Epping (A), Reservoir (H), Laurimar (H)
Prediction: BWWWWLWL
Finish: 4th, 10-0-6
The win over Kilmore has unlocked the Hoers’ top-five hopes. Has the chance to get on a big run of momentum after its bye before a finals-defining final three weeks.
MERNDA (6th, 5-0-4, 96.42%)
Run home: Lalor (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Epping (A), Ivanhoe (A), Laurimar (H), Kinglake (H), Bye, Heidelberg West (A)
Prediction: WLLLLWBW
Finish: 7th, 8-0-8
Has the ability to play finals but faces a difficult run home with all five of the current top-five to come. Win a few of those and the story changes. Will also need to dramatically improve its percentage too.
KILMORE (7th, 4-0-5, 113.55%)
Run home: Laurimar (A), Bye, Lalor (A), Reservoir (H), Epping (H), Fitzroy Stars (A), Heidelberg West (H), Kinglake (A)
Prediction: LBWWWLWL
Finish: 6th, 8-0-8
The loss to Ivanhoe on Saturday was a massive blow. The Two Blues now only have three home games remaining and face four of the current top-five (three on the road).
RESERVOIR (8th, 3-0-6, 101.40%)
Run home: Fitzroy Stars (A), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Bye, Kilmore (A), Heidelberg West (A), Lalor (H), Ivanhoe (A), Fitzroy Stars (H)
Prediction: LWBLWWLL
Finish: 8th, 6-0-10
Given the moves the Mustangs have made, they might want one or two more wins than our predicted six but Rome wasn’t built in a day. Minimum finish should be 3-3.
HEIDELBERG WEST (9th, 2-0-7, 72.30%)
Run home: Kinglake (A), Ivanhoe (H), Old Eltham Collegians (A), Lalor (A), Reservoir (H), Bye, Kilmore (A), Mernda (H)
Prediction: LLLWLBLL
Finish: 9th, 3-0-13
Went for youth in the pre-season and will take time to develop as a team. Even so a predicted three-win season would be under expectations. Showed they’re capable of matching it in the loss to Fitzroy Stars, so now needs to prove it.
OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS (10th, 1-0-8, 42.76%)
Run home: Epping (H), Reservoir (A), Heidelberg West (H), Kinglake (A), Ivanhoe (H), Laurimar (A), Bye, Lalor (H)
Prediction: LLWLLLBW
Finish: 10th, 3-0-13
It’s been a season to forget for the Turtles. Can they turn it around in the run home? Has fellow strugglers Heidelberg West and Lalor at home, which should swing the odds in their favour.
LALOR (11th, 1-0-8, 26.40%)
Run home: Mernda (H), Epping (A), Kilmore (H), Heidelberg West (H), Bye, Reservoir (A), Kinglake (H), Old Eltham Collegians (A)
Prediction: LLLBLLL
Finish: 11th, 1-0-15
There was a bit of energy around Sydney Crescent early in the year but numbers have dropped off and difficult results have followed. Unlikely to sing the song again in 2025, unless they can repeat their performance against Old Eltham in Round 18.
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