Northern Saints coach Nat Caruso confident of avoiding relegation in EDFL Premier Division

NORTHERN Saints coach Nat Caruso is confident his side will remain in the Essendon District Football League’s Premier Division next season as it continues to battle away in the relegation zone.

NORTHERN Saints coach Nat Caruso is confident his side will remain in Essendon District Football League’s Premier Division next season as it continues to battle away in the relegation zone.

Promoted after taking out the Division 1 premiership last season, the Saints have said all along that they did not want to rise to the top grade for just one year and drop back down the next.

But with a tough run home, the side will have to show some real fight in the final rounds if it is to avoid the wooden spoon and subsequent relegation.

“We’re trying to avoid relegation,” Caruso said.

“I think we can do it and we’ve got the talent to do it. We’ve just got to be consistent.”

A draw with Maribyrnong Park on Saturday only made the relegation battle more interesting, both teams now with two wins and a draw next to their names.

Both now sit just two points ahead of bottom-of-the-table Essendon Doutta Stars.

The rest of the run home looks a lot harder for Caruso’s side, which will face reigning premier Greenvale, ladder-leader Avondale Heights, Airport West, Aberfeldie and Strathmore before taking on Essendon Doutta Stars in the final round.

“Every game’s going to be tough. It doesn’t matter which team you play,” Caruso said.

“Even if you’re Strathmore, you’ve got to come to play because anyone on their day could win.

“It’s going to be a challenge for the boys but I’m sure we’ll be up for it.”

The Saints have a bye this weekend due to the competition’s split round.