St Mary’s regain position in Northern Football League finals, dislodging Mernda from top-four

ST MARY’S dislodged Mernda from the top four for the first time this season to secure just its third finals berth in club history.

St Mary's coach Con Borg. Picture: Stuart Milligan

ST MARY’S dislodged Mernda from the top four for the first time this season to secure just its third finals berth in club history.

The Burras spent the first 15 rounds in the top four, but spent the two weeks before last weekend in the bottom half of the table.

Needing a 140-point swing to dislodge Mernda on percentage, the Burras knocked off Kilmore by 142 points on Saturday, to regain their spot in the top four.

The Blues were kept to just one behind for the first three-and-a-half quarters, before St Mary’s ran out 22.24 (156) to 2.2 (14) winners.

The thumping win propelled the Burras to fourth from fifth, and has set up a knockout semi-final clash against South Morang this weekend.

St Mary’s coach Con Borg said the finals berth was significant for the club, with its only other finals appearances in 2011 and 2012, after coming into the Division 3 competition in 2010.

Borg said he thought he side had blown its finals chances when it dropped out of the top four, but was confident it could recapture its early season form.

“In the middle of the year we struggled a bit, but luckily now we’re coming out of those heavy conditions and into the good conditions,” Borg said.

“We still think we are good enough to go all the way. We’ve matched it with all but Watsonia at this stage.”

The result was also the club's highest senior score.