Which teams will play finals in the Northern Football League? We predict the run home
We’re entering the home straight in the Northern Football League 2019 season and the battle for finals spot is fierce. Check out every contender’s run home and our finals predictions in each division.
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We’ve hit the final bend, the final straight is in sight.
The Northern Football League is entering the business end of the season with just six games left in Divisions 1 and 2 and five remaining in Division 3.
Who will win the finals fight? Ben Higgins looks at every team still in the hunt and makes his ladder predictions.
REPORT: STILL ONE BIG QUESTION FOR HEIDELBERG
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DIV 1: PIES’ FINAL DESTINY IN OUR HANDS RAMSAY
DIV 2: CREEKERS STILL ALIVE AFTER PANTHERS UPSET
DIV 3: COLLEGIANS DELIVER HAWKS FINALS BLOW
DIVISION 1
1. Greensborough (11-0-1, 212.19%, 44pts)
Run home: North Heidelberg (H), Northcote Park (H), Bundoora (A), Lower Plenty (A), Heidelberg (H), Hurstbridge (H)
The undisputed premiership favourite, the Borough will get a finals preview with clashes against North Heidelberg and Heidelberg. They won’t say it — for good reason — but Greensborough should be preparing for finals already.
2. Heidelberg (9-0-3, 156.33%, 36pts)
Run home: Montmorency (A), Hurstbridge (A), Lower Plenty (H), Bundoora (H), Greensborough (A), Northcote Park (H)
A rousing win over Greensborough has erased memories of the loss to Lower Plenty. Away trips to Montmorency and Hurstbridge are tricky but it opens up from there. Except for Greensborough in Round 17 of course.
3. North Heidelberg (8-1-3, 127.33%, 34pts)
Run home: Greensborough (A), West Preston-Lakeside (A), Northcote Park (H), Montmorency (H), Lower Plenty (A), Bundoora (H)
A true finals test — Greenborough at Greensborough — this week. The run home is by no means easy with a visit to West Preston-Lakeside the week after but three of the final four games at home is a blessing with the only road trip to last-placed Lower Plenty.
4. Macleod (5-1-6, 99.53%, 22pts)
Run home: West Preston-Lakeside (A), Lower Plenty (A), Hurstbridge (H), Northcote Park (A), Montmorency (H), West Preston-Lakeside (H)
The perennial finalists looked in dire trouble early but have turned it around beautifully. If North Heidelberg stumble, the Roos are well placed to challenge for the double chance. Two grand final rematches in the final six weeks is 1) bizarre and 2) season defining.
5. West Preston-Lakeside (5-0-7, 92.08%, 20pts)
Run home: Macleod (H), North Heidelberg (H), Montmorency (A), Hurstbridge (H), Bundoora (A), Macleod (A)
The Roosters are looking to make history after starting the season 0-6. Their percentage ahead of three other teams but given their sheer class, will fancy their chances of sneaking into finals. Montmorency away, Bundoora away and Macleod away will decide their fate.
6. Montmorency (5-0-7, 89.31%, 20pts)
Run home: Heidelberg (H), Bundoora (A), West Preston-Lakeside (H), North Heidelberg (A), Macleod (A), Lower Plenty (H)
It’s a tough run home but with nine teams still in contention, every run home is. Upset Heidelberg this week and the Magpies are almost in the box seat for fifth but trips to North Heidelberg and Macleod could end their hopes before a final-round clash with Lower Plenty.
7. Bundoora (5-0-7, 86.82%, 20pts)
Run home: Hurstbridge (A), Montmorency (H), Greensborough (H), Heidelberg (A), West Preston-Lakeside (H), North Heidelberg (A)
What do we make of the Bulls? A three-game skid at this time of year isn’t ideal. If we’re being blunt a brutal final month — Greensborough, Heidelberg, West Preston-Lakeside and North Heidelberg — is probably too big a mountain to climb.
8. Northcote Park (5-0-7, 77.32%, 20pts)
Run home: Lower Plenty (H), Greensborough (A), North Heidelberg (A), Macleod (H), Hurstbridge (A), Heidelberg (A)
The Cougars have been decimated by injury and Lower Plenty will be eyeing an upset this week. A loss would almost certainly end their finals hopes. A strong start to the season has likely saved them from relegation talk.
9. Hurstbridge (4-0-8, 79.03%, 16pts)
Run home: Bundoora (H), Heidelberg (H), Macleod (A), West Preston-Lakeside (A), Northcote Park (H), Greensborough (A)
The Bridges were arguably relegation favourites heading into the season and would be rapt to still be in finals contention. Bundoora at home this week is a very winnable game but the following three weeks will likely put an end to any September plans.
DIVISION 2
1. Banyule (9-0-1, 222.61%, 36pts)
Run home: Diamond Creek (A), Eltham (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Whittlesea (H), Epping (H), Thomastown (A)
The Bears had wiped the floor with the competition before a shock loss to St Mary’s. It’s hard to see them winning every game but Banyule has the chance to completely demoralise their premiership rivals in the run home.
2. Whittlesea (8-0-3, 134.40%, 32pts)
Run home: St Mary’s (H), Fitzroy Stars (H), Bye, Banyule (A), Thomastown (H), Watsonia (A)
After the Round 8 loss to Banyule, the Eagles’ season was teetering but proved their quality with consecutive wins over Thomastown, Eltham and Diamond Creek. A return bout against Banyule in Round 16 could be a grand final preview.
3. Eltham (7-0-4, 128.99%, 28pts)
Run home: Fitzroy Stars (A), Banyule (H), Watsonia (A), St Mary’s (A), Bye, Epping (H)
The Panthers have been anything but premiership contenders at times this season but a big run home could have them primed for finals. A win over Banyule will have the critics back in their box.
4. Thomastown (6-0-5, 115.83%, 24pts)
Run home: Epping (A), Watsonia (H), Diamond Creek (A), Bye, Whittlesea (A), Banyule (H)
The Bears’ hold on fourth is tenuous at best but a spirited win over Fitzroy Stars after sacking coach Ben Chapman points to a strong culture. The clash against Diamond Creek could be season defining with Whittlesea (away) and Banyule to finish.
5. Diamond Creek (5-1-5, 95.10%, 22pts)
Run home: Banyule (H), Epping (A), Thomastown (H), Watsonia (H), St Mary’s (A), Bye
Can the Creekers pinch fourth? The Round 15 clash against Thomastown at home will most likely decide it. Upset Banyule this week and they’d be favourites. St Mary’s are far from pushovers in Round 17 and a final-round bye isn’t ideal.
6. Fitzroy Stars (4-1-5, 88.12%, 18pts)
Run home: Eltham (H), Whittlesea (A), Banyule (A), Epping (H), Watsonia (A), St Mary’s (H)
Dropping four points to Thomastown might just have spelled the end for Fitzroy. The next three weeks will be make or break. Win at least one of those and they’ll fancy taking 12 points from their last three games to challenge for fourth.
7. St Mary’s (4-0-7, 78.40%, 16pts)
Run home: Whittlesea (H), Bye, Epping (A), Eltham (H), Diamond Creek (H), Fitzroy Stars (A)
Yes, the Burra are still mathematically still in the finals race but face a difficult road, starting with Whittlesea this weekend. Fair to say, they’ll need results to go their way.
DIVISION 3
1. Laurimar (12-0-0, 175.08%, 48pts)
Run home: Heidelberg West (A), Bye, Panton Hill (H), Mernda (A), South Morang (H)
Sitting pretty undefeated on top of the ladder but still faces a couple of stern tests with second-placed Panton Hill and Mernda possibly fighting for its season in Round 17. That said, the minor premiership is all but sewn up.
2. Panton Hill (9-0-2, 239.85, 36pts)
Run home: Eltham Collegians (H), Heidelberg West (A), Laurimar (A), Kilmore (H), Reservoir (H)
Will want to finish strongly given the likelihood of playing Laurimar and Kilmore again come finals. Heidelberg West at home is no easy task. The Redbacks will fancy finishing the season with five wins from the final five games.
3. Kilmore (8-0-3, 154.20%, 32pts)
Run home: South Morang (A), Mernda (H), Heidelberg West (H), Panton Hill (A), Lalor (H)
The season’s surprise packet can secure their first taste of Division 3 finals with wins over South Morang and Mernda in the next fortnight. Panton Hill could be a bridge too far, especially on the road.
4. South Morang (6-1-5, 107.18%, 26pts)
Run home: Kilmore (H), Reservoir (A), Eltham Collegians (A), Bye, Laurimar (A)
Possession is nine-tenths of the law, as the old saying goes, and South Morang is in the box seat to secure a finals appearance. The Lions will want to have fourth sewn up before their final-round clash against Laurimar.
5. Heidelberg West (6-0-6, 117.78%, 24pts)
Run home: Laurimar (H), Panton Hill (H), Kilmore (A), Lalor (A), Bye
After a brilliant start to the season, the Hawks have stumbled in recent weeks and face a horror run home, that culminates in a final-round bye. Unless Heidelberg West can upset one of the top three, the club’s finals drought will stretch to 25 years.
6. Mernda (6-0-6, 107.49%, 24pts)
Run home: Bye, Kilmore (A), Lalor (H), Laurimar (H), Eltham Collegians (A)
The Demons will fancy themselves to catch South Morang. Mernda pushed Laurimar to the final kick on Anzac Day and a Round 17 upset would be a huge boost. However, a third fifth-placed finish in the last four years looks likely.
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