Race for fifth spot in Northern Football League Division 1 set to go down to final rounds

THE race for fifth spot in Northern Football League Division 1 took another turn on Saturday as Northcote Park put itself firmly in contention for a finals berth.

West Preston-Lakeside and Northcote Park are among the teams competing for fifth spot. Picture: Josie Hayden.

THE race for fifth spot in Northern Football League Division 1 took another turn on Saturday as Northcote Park put itself firmly in contention for a finals berth.

The Cougars were too strong for Lower Plenty, claiming their first away win of the campaign 20.16 (136) to 15.5 (95) to jump to seventh on the table.

Northcote Park capitalised on losses to West Preston-Lakeside (sixth), Montmorency (fifth) and Eltham (eighth), securing its sixth win of the season to move equal on 24 points with the trio of sides.

Koden Colman was superb in the 41-point victory, slotting six goals, while Collingwood VFL-listed Jordan Collopy was best afield.

West Preston-Lakeside was unable to turn a halftime lead into a crucial win against Greensborough, falling 10.17 (77) to 8.11 (59).

The Roosters could only manage two goals after halftime in the 18-point defeat, missing an opportunity to climb above Montmorency and reclaim a spot in the top five.

Montmorency was unable to claw its way back against Macleod after surrendering a 37-point halftime margin at DeWinton Park.

The Magpies won the second half — seven goals to six — but ultimately left themselves with too greater deficit to reel in.

Elsewhere, fourth-placed Bundoora opened a two-game buffer ahead of Montmorency with a 43-point victory over Eltham.

The Panthers slipped to eighth on the ladder, but are only percentage from fifth.

Northcote Park will hope to reverse its Round 9 loss to Whittlesea when it hosts the Eagles at Bill Lawry Oval on Saturday, while Eltham will be favoured to topple Lower Plenty.

Wins for those two sides would put the pressure on West Preston-Lakeside and Montmorency to secure upsets against Macleod and Heidelberg respectively.

Round 16 and 18 are shaping as vital to the race for fifth, with the four teams to do battle in decisive fixtures.

RACE FOR FIFTH

Fifth — Montmorency: 24 points, 108.69%

Sixth — West Preston-Lakeside: 24 points, 94.51%

Seventh — Northcote Park: 24 points 86.39%

Eighth — Eltham: 24 points, 85.40%

KEY GAMES

Round 16 — West Preston-Lakeside v Montmorency

Round 18 — West Preston-Lakeside v Eltham

Round 18 — Montmorency v Northcote Park

Round 16 — Northcote Park v Eltham