The three-way race for survival in the NPLW competition is going all the way down to the final day. Two of the relegation-threatened teams picked up results in Round 21, propping a new club up into temporary safety and sending it right down to the wire.
A draw between Preston and Essendon allowed Bulleen to wrap up the Premiership last week, leaving the rest of the top four to jostle for an advantage in the finals series.
The Survival Race
Boroondara Eagles v Bentleigh Greens: Saturday 3:00pm
Bentleigh’s win against fourth-placed Heidelberg lifted them out of the relegation zone with a two-point gap to the chasing Brunswick and Calder.
However, with an 11-goal difference deficit to Brunswick, a draw in their final-round clash against Boroondara is not guaranteed to be enough for the Greens.
Only a win will secure their safety, otherwise, there may be a nervy wait after the full-time whistle, whilst the other games wrap up around the state with simultaneous kick-offs.
Bulleen Lions v Calder United: Saturday 3:00pm
Currently in 12th, Calder is set the task of beating the recently crowned Premiers, Bulleen to earn their safety. They’ll also have to hope neither Bentleigh nor Brunswick claims three points.
If Bentleigh earns a draw, Calder’s task gets even harder, and will have to beat Bulleen by at least two goals.
South Melbourne v Brunswick Juventus: Saturday 3:00pm
Brunswick’s equation is simpler thanks to their significant goal difference advantage, which is unlikely to be beaten in one round (11 to Bentleigh and 13 to Calder).
A win against South Melbourne and hope that Bentleigh doesn’t win against Boroondara is what is required to secure their NPLW status.
Arranging the Finals Bracket
With the Premiership now secured by Bulleen; the final round for Preston, Essendon, and Heidelberg is all about securing the highest position possible for an advantage in finals.
Heidelberg United v Preston Lions: Saturday 3:00pm
Given Heidelberg sits three points behind the rest, there are only two ways that they can crack into the second v third semi-final. The first is to win their game and hope that the Royals lose Alamein.
The second - whilst unlikely - is to beat Preston by eight goals, which will draw them level on points and overcome the large gap in goal difference between the two sides.
If the stars align and both occur, then Heidelberg would even jump into second and gain the home-ground advantage for the first week of finals.
Preston, meanwhile, head into the match knowing that three points would earn them that important second position (whilst level on points, they hold a 25-goal difference lead over Essendon).
As mentioned, only losing by eight goals or more would risk them falling out of the top three.
Essendon Royals v Alamein: Saturday 3:00pm
A point for the Royals against Alamein would secure the top three and even give themselves a chance of jumping up into second.
But a win would be the way to give them the best chance of earning that home semi-final.
Box Hill United v FV Emerging: Saturday 3:00pm
Box Hill and FV Emerging both sit in mid-table with no chance of finals but will be looking to finish their seasons in good form.