Will Sandhurst hang on to fifth spot and grab a finals berth?

Eleven wins appears to be the magic number to ensure qualification for this year’s BFNL finals.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

Only four times since 2000 has it taken more than 10 wins to qualify for the BFNL finals, but the strength and evenness of the top six teams this year means 10 wins might not be enough to advance to September action.

Fifth-placed Sandhurst has eight wins with five rounds remaining, while Gisborne is one place behind on the ladder with seven wins.

However, the Dragons virtually have an extra game lead over the Dogs because of their 58 per cent advantage.

With both teams to play Maryborough and Castlemaine in the final five rounds, it seems impossible that Gisborne could make up the percentage difference.

That puts extra emphasis on this Saturday’s clash between the Dogs and Dragons at Gardiner Reserve.

A Sandhurst win would all but end Gisborne’s finals hopes. With those four points locked away, plus the prospect of playing Maryborough and Castlemaine in the last two rounds, that would give the Dragons 11 wins and a healthy percentage even if they don’t knock off Kyneton and/or Eaglehawk in rounds 15 and 16 respectively.

A Sandhurst win this week would also keep the Dragons’ faint top three hopes alive.

On the flipside, a Gisborne victory this week would put the Bulldogs back in the box seat to grab fifth place because of its easier run home.

The Dogs’ only other clash with a top five team in the final five rounds is against Golden Square in round 17.

After defeating Square earlier this season it’s not inconceivable that Gisborne wins its final five games of the season to finish with 12 victories.

Run home for BFNL finals contenders: