A GFNL season that has been widely derided for the gulf between the top and bottom halves of the ladder has maintained interest in the battle for the top five all the way to Round 18.
Every spot inside the top five has the potential to change in the final round, with only the wooden spoon battle between North Shore and Lara not influencing who will feature in September.
Newtown & Chilwell and St Joseph’s remain in the hunt for the minor premiership, with St Mary’s, Colac, Bell Park and South Barwon all live in the double chance race.
Expect PlayHQ to go into meltdown throughout the afternoon.
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TEAM-BY-TEAM BREAKDOWN
NEWTOWN & CHILWELL (1st – 14-3 – 217.19%)
St Mary’s @ Elderslie Reserve
A simple scenario for the Towners. Beat St Mary’s, and they’ll claim their first minor premiership since 1985. Lose, and they’ll likely play the Saints in a qualifying final. St Mary’s were too strong for Steve Johnson’s men in Round 2, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, with the Eagles riding a six-game winning streak.
ST JOSEPH’S (2nd – 14-3 – 180.10%)
Geelong West @ West Oval
With no disrespect to the Giants, who will farewell long-serving coach Greg Mellor come 4:45 pm Saturday, Joeys have the most straightforward assignment of the top six. Will be, under some level of protest, barracking for St Mary’s to beat their other archrival, Newtown & Chilwell, opening the door for a second minor premiership in as many years.
ST MARY’S (3rd – 12-5 – 198.35%)
Newtown & Chilwell @ Elderslie Reserve
Win and Colac fail to close the current gap of 3.40 per cent if it beats Grovedale, and the Saints will meet the Towners the following week in the qualifying final. However, a loss leaves St Mary’s, which has occupied a position in the top five since beating Geelong West in Round 1, at the mercy of other results. Wins for Colac, Bell Park and South Barwon would see the Saints miss the finals for the first time in a decade.
COLAC (4th 12-5- 194.95%)
Grovedale @ Burdoo Reserve
The Tigers are ready to pounce on third spot. If they can overcome Grovedale, and Newtown & Chilwell take care of St Mary’s, a meeting with St Joseph’s in a qualifying final awaits. Colac could snatch third even if the Saints beat the Towners, with percentage to be a factor. A shock loss to Grovedale, and wins by Bell Park and South Barwon, would leave the Tigers in sixth spot for the second consecutive year.
BELL PARK (5th – 12-5 – 184.98%)
Leopold @ Hamlyn Park
Another case of ‘win and you’re in’. However, the Dragons face a Leopold team that will be keen to see off departing club great Sam Scott with a win. Bell Park won the Round 10 meeting and will start as favourites in this one. A win and losses for St Mary’s and Colac, and James Saker’s men will claim a qualifying final berth. However, defeat, coupled with a South Barwon victory over St Albans, would see the Dragons miss out.
SOUTH BARWON (6th – 11-5-1 – 217.19%)
St Albans @ McDonald Reserve
A win might not be enough for the runner-up of the past two years to feature in a third consecutive finals series. Should take care of St Albans. However, the Swans need one of St Mary’s, Colac or Bell Park to lose. If that doesn’t happen, South would have the best record of any team to miss the GFNL finals since the final five was introduced in 1992.
