Who will make the cut in a super tight NFNL Division 2 finals battle
Four into two does not go. These are the season-defining clashes that will decide who makes the NFNL Division 2 finals in an enthralling run home.
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Four into two does not go.
With three games remaining in the NFNL Division 2 home-and-away season the top-five battle is as fierce as its ever been.
Watsonia, Northcote Park and South Morang are all locked on eight wins while Thomastown remains in the hunt a game-and-a-half behind.
Only two will play finals.
Diamond Creek and Eltham are runaway league-leaders while St Mary’s 42-point thrashing of Panton Hill all but secures it a maiden finals berth at the level.
While still mathematically possible, the loss surely puts an end to the Redbacks campaign, now two-and-a-half games and considerable percentage outside the five.
As it stands, Watsonia leads the way following a comprehensive 29-point win over South Morang.
League-leading goalkicker Josh Lucente starred with six goals to take his season tally to 56 and stretch his lead to 16 ahead of Burra Jeremiah Antypas.
A five-goal opening quarter and six-goal finish ensured the Saints claimed the four points, 16.9 (105) to 11.10 (76).
The result sees South Morang fall outside the top-five for the first time this season, down to sixth on percentage.
It doesn’t get an easier for the Lions with another finals contender Northcote Park visiting Mill Park Lakes Reserve on Saturday in a true “eight-pointer”.
The Cougars moved back into the top-five with a come-from-behind 42-point win over Epping at Bill Lawry Oval.
The lowly Pingers sent a massive scare down Westgarth Street when they led by 15 points at half-time.
However, Northcote Park responded after the break piling on 10 goals while keeping the visitors goalless to run away 15.4 (94) to 7.10 (52).
Matt D’Angelo continued his strong form with five goals, while in his fifth game of the season, Jackson Curic popped up with four goals in a match-winning performance.
Key forward Alex Boyse was a standout best-on-ground and at the other end of the ground Daniel Tallariti is firming for Team of the Year honours with another strong game.
Watsonia and Northcote Park are separated by just 1.75 per cent, while South Morang is another 4.21 per cent back.
After producing a miracle finals run last season, Thomastown can never be dismissed.
The Bears remain in the finals hunt after a comeback win of their own, pipping Lower Plenty by 13 points at Montmorency Park.
Lower held deep into the second term before Thomastown took a five-point lead into the main break and the margin was just four points at three-quarter-time.
However, the Bears did just enough to secure a 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77) win and keep their finals hopes alive.
After a difficult first season at Main Street, Josh Mazzarella played his best game in Bears colours with a best-on-ground performance.
This weekend, South Morang hosts Northcote Park in another potentially season-defining match, while Watsonia must travel to Eltham looking to rebound from its top-of-the-table loss to Diamond Creek.
St Mary’s hosts the Creekers in arguably the NFNL’s match of the round, while Thomastown welcomes a dangerous Panton Hill.
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The relegation battle will likely be settled on Saturday as Epping hosts Lower Plenty in a survival battle.
In the final fortnight, Watsonia faces Northcote Park in a match that could decide each team’s finals fate with the Saints to play Diamond Creek and the Cougars Eltham in the final round.
South Morang is well placed to take advantage of any slips with games against Panton Hill at home and Lower Plenty.
Meanwhile, Thomastown faces arguably the hardest run home with dates against ladder-leader Diamond Creek and third-placed St Mary’s.
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