Local Football Sunday Spotlight: Greensborough’s NFL dominance, East Burwood stays up by a whisker, St Kevin’s on cusp of perfect season and more

Local Footy’s Sunday Spotlight examines the biggest talking points from the weekend’s football.

Bradley McCann of St Kevin's marks during the VAFA Premier B Round 14 match between St Kevin's OB and Ajax played at TH King Oval on Saturday, August 1, 2015, in Glen Iris, Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

THIS week’s Sunday Spotlight focuses on a nerve-jangling relegation battle in the Eastern Football League, an unbeaten season for a VAFA flag favourite, Greensborough’s NFL dominance and more.

NFL: Reigning premier’s depth on show

Greensborough’s reputation as the Northern Football League’s premier club continues to grow after another dominant season across the grades. The Borough lost only six games across its seniors, reserves and under-18 teams this year, winning the minor premiership in each Division 1 competition. Greensborough came within a whisker of winning all three flags last year, West Preston-Lakeside spoiling the club’s trifecta with a one-point win in the reserves decider.

St Kevin’s is hurtling toward VAFA Premier B finals. Picture: Hamish Blair.

VAFA: St Kevin’s flying into Premier B finals

As one of only two unbeaten sides in the Victorian Amateur Football Association, it will come as no surprise St Kevin’s will enter Premier B finals with a target on its back. But that has mattered little to the side over the home-and-away season as it has put together a 17-game winning streak. St Kevs moved a step closer to an unblemished regular season with a resounding triumph over Caulfield Grammarians on Saturday.

EFL: Relegation battle comes down to one straight kick

Forget the top of the ladder. It was the bottom of Eastern Football League Division 2 which had everyone talking on Saturday as East Burwood and Scoresby scrapped to stay up for another year. Scoresby only lost by 13 points against Mulgrave, but had a nervous wait to find out whether it had done enough to be safe thanks to percentage. In the ensuing three minutes, the Rams missed a shot on goal and thought they were consigned to the drop after an 81-point defeat. But their 13th goal in the loss had been enough, East Burwood surviving by a kick — or 0.17 per cent.

East Burwood held its spot in Division 2 by one straight kick. Picture: Christopher Chan.

VFL: Top-eight decided after Casey’s win

Lock the VFL top eight away for another year. Casey’s win over Coburg on Saturday opened a two-game buffer between the Scorpions and ninth-placed Port Melbourne. Four sides will enter the last round of the campaign locked on 44 points, with Footscray, Essendon, Werribee and Collingwood remaining a chance for a top-four finish. Coburg announced its captain Nick Carnell had played its last game after its defeat, chairing the club champion off the ground.

BFL: Devils prove a point

Two upsets at the top of the table have dominated discussion after the final round of the Ballarat Football League season. Lake Wendouree must have thought it had third spot wrapped up after beating reigning premier North Ballarat City, only for Darley to romp home against flag favourite Redan. Dane Grenfell continued his recent purple patch with five goals as the Devils proved a point before their final against Sunbury.

Darley coach Jarrod Edwards. Picture: Dennis Manktelow.

SFL: Grand finalists send a statement

Fireworks were expected when the Southern Football League Division 1 top four did battle in the last round of the regular season. But East Malvern and Mordialloc were unable to mount a challenge against Dingley and East Brighton respectively. The Dingoes secured top spot with a 60-point win over East Malvern, while East Brighton beat Mordialloc by 51. It appears a replay of the 2014 decider could again be on the cards.

Another milestone: Congratulations to Mt Eliza spearhead Justin Van Unen, who kicked his 100th goal for the season against Pines.