NTFA division 2 2018, round 13: Division 2 ‘such an even comp’

Old Scotch sits percentage only outside the five but is one of five clubs vying for three available spots with St Pats and Lilydale appearing finals certainties.

Saturday’s home clash with Evandale has been billed as a ‘second elimination final’ by coach Shaun Muller as his team looks to avoid missing finals for the first time in recent memory. 

“It’s just such an even comp, its fantastic, there’s seven or eight really good sides that obviously can’t finish in the five,” Muller said. 

“It’s great for the competition and exciting for the players. We do play [Morven Park] well and if we execute our plans well enough we’ll still be alive Saturday night.”

The Country Eagles are aiming to bounce back from giving up a five-goal lead against Lilydale, but will be under the pump against a side coach James Storay labelled a finals definite. 

“Our best football is as good as anyone if not better, and if we play that for four quarters we’ll be fine but if we don’t we’ll just be another number in the finals which isn’t what I want,” he said. 

Evandale will regain Tomas Chugg and potentially Kaleb Laycock and Clinton Black, while Old Scotch will welcome back Lachie McFadzean, Jock Darke and Jonty Swallow for the injured Casey Young.

TAMAR CATS could have their best chance to register a win for 2018 when they host Uni-Mowbray.

The City Eagles saw off a last-term fightback to edge the sides’ round two meeting.

“Both of us are having years where we’re struggling so it should be a close game and hopefully being at home and with one or two recruits we’ll be strong enough to square the ledger,” Cats coach Wayne Kirby said. 

“Brennan Creswell, Michael Routledge and Justin Triffett are all in this week so that will make things good.”

BRIDPORT coach Adam Howlett believes his side is a chance of upsetting East Coast at home this weekend.

Howlett praised his midfielders for helping forward Matthew Taylor enjoy a 15-goal “day out” last round. 

“I think [East Coast is] beatable and a few teams have surprised them the last few weeks so we’ll be going out there full of confidence,” Howlett said.

ST PATS has escaped unscathed from a run of four top-seven sides and will be shooting for 12 games unbeaten against Meander Valley this weekend.

“[Last week was] probably our third or fourth last quarter this year that we’ve played really well and kicked some big margins so to know that we’ve got a good last quarter in us has been really good,” coach Alex Russell said.

Lochie Hanson is the only omission for Paul Beechey’s OLD LAUNCESTONIANS, who will be looking to dent Perth’s final hopes.