VSDCA 2022-23: Balwyn set for cliffhanging last round in finals pursuit

The Balwyn coach has declared “finals start this week” with his side locked in a heart-stopping battle for the top six in the VSDCA’s East-West group.

It’s set to come down to the wire.

Balwyn’s loss to Melton on Saturday has consigned it to a final-round showdown with Endeavour Hills this weekend as the pair shoot for a spot in the VSDCA East-West top six.

But the equation isn’t as simple as win.

The Tigers sit in eighth spot on percentage outside the top six with 45 points – tied with Hoppers Crossing (sixth), Melton (seventh) and Endeavour Hills (ninth).

Results must fall favourably for a finals berth to eventuate for those outside the top six, with Balwyn coach Clinton Kennon left to lament the ramifications of the weekend’s defeat.

“It’s come down to the wire and unfortunately we shouldn’t be in that position but we are,” Kennon said.

“It’s a pretty amazing weekend now … if we win we still have to rely on a couple of sides beating sides above us.

“The first job is to win … but I think we need Williamstown to beat Melton and Altona to beat Hoppers Crossing.

“If they (Endeavour Hills) beat us, they’d need the same scenario. Altona can beat Hoppers and give themselves half a chance as well – it’s going to be a good weekend in that sense.”

Balwyn batter Dom Greene in action against Melton. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Kennon said his side underwent a “severe debrief” after being skittled for 145, with Melton putting on 8-154 in reply on Saturday.

He also pointed to previous losses to Noble Park (13th) and Croydon (14th) in his group’s plight.

And Croydon’s upset of Hoppers Crossing has helped throw the finals race wide open.

“We’re almost knocking on the door of a home final (if we won those), that’s how close it is,” Kennon said.

“We had a couple of beers and spoke about remaining positive about what’s happening.

“Ironically for us, the loss to Croydon is probably costing us at the moment and there we were barracking for Croydon (against Hoppers Crossing) on the weekend to give ourselves a chance.

“We spoke about how we’ve just got to make the most of our opportunities when they come on the weekend.

“In the last couple of weeks we’ve had opportunities to win … our batters are getting out at the wrong time and the classic saying is catches win matches.”

The coach said it had been an inconsistent campaign for the Tigers, failing to win more than two matches in a row all season.

Kennon believes the batting order must step up this weekend, but highlighted the season of Christian Toppi who has plundered 351 runs in the First XI this season.

“We’re definitely talking about our batters stepping up (and) I said that the start of the year and in our analysis of the list so far, I think only one player’s done better than last year,” Kennon said.

“We’re not content with where we are at the moment (and) there hasn’t been the growth that we wanted in the batting, but they’re all aware of that.

“We haven’t been able to put together three wins in a row all year, and we’ve lost to sides below us … (but) there’s no better challenge – finals start this week.”