Long-time struggler Jacana hoping to jag finals berth in Essendon District Football League this season

QUESTIONS were asked about whether Jacana would survive in 2012 as it copped belting after belting in the Essendon District Football League. Two years later, the side is right in the mix to play finals.

Three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson fends off an East Sunbury opponent in the Jacana’s Queen’s Birthday Monday clash. Photo: Kris Reichl

ENTERING Round 4 last season, Jacana had won one game from its past 40 ­outings.

A long-time struggler in the Essendon District Football League, questions had been asked in 2012 whether the club could survive long-term and if it was simply all too hard for a team regularly losing by well over 200 points.

But in a show of how quickly things can turn, the Jags are right in the mix to play Division 2 finals this season after handing out a belting of their own last Monday.

Stealing East Sunbury’s thunder, Jacana recorded a 74-point win at home last Monday to climb to fourth spot on the ladder.

Used to being down the bottom of the table in recent years, it is a position the Jags have not found themselves in for some time.

“It’s probably the best position they’ve been in a number of years at Jacana,” coach Matthew Sacco said.

“It’s a good win for the boys to get the morale back up again and get us back up to fourth spot.”

The win over the Thunder was Jacana’s fourth of the season — the side already eclipsing its tally of three victories last season when Sacco first came on board.

And the coach is confident more strong results will come in the second half of the year as the Jags chase a finals berth.

“If we can just keep chipping away at these top sides and get a couple of sneaky wins, you never know from there,” Sacco said.

“We’re always a chance and if we play our best footy we’re a chance to run with the best of them I think.”

But Jacana is not getting too far ahead of itself just yet.

It will host East Keilor at Jacana Reserve this Saturday, who alongside Roxburgh Park is a hot premiership fancy after putting in a stunning first half of the season.

Sacco has no doubts it will be a challenge, but like finals the coach is not counting out pulling off a surprise.

“It will be a big challenge for us,” he said.

“But Moonee Valley played in a grand final last year and we beat them by two points (three) weeks ago. If we can hit our straps and become more consistent there might be some big upsets towards the end of the year.”