DARLEY has climbed into sixth position after surviving a major scare by Melton South in the Ballarat Football League at Melton on Saturday.
However, despite being one game clear of East Point and Melton with one round to play, the Devils face a tough task to retain it and play finals.
The reigning premier needs to be beat third-placed Sunbury at Sunbury to be sure of staying in the top six.
A loss would put East Point in the box seat to swoop.
The Kangaroos face Sebastopol and have a far superior percentage after thrashing a disappointing Melton at the Eastern Oval.
Melton did not kick a goal in the second half as East Point charged away by 92 points.
Bryson McDougall had a day out for the Kangaroos with seven goals, while Angus Wright and Rhys Monument each finished with four.
East’s “twin beards” Sam Cooper and Drew Murphy were rock solid in defence while Daniel Tung, Paul Koderenko and Jono Lanyon were linchpins through the midfield.
MELTON South pushed Darley all the way in its last game of the year.
The Panthers led by five points at three quarter time, but could not hold on as Darley kicked another seven goals to win by 12 points.
SUNBURY again stamped its authority at home with a convincing 39-point victory over North Ballarat City to maintain a grip on third position.
The win was set up by both forward and midfield dominance, with Jack Landt and Jesse McInneny combining for nine goals – aptly fed by superstar Alik Magin, with help from ruckman David Kovacevic.
The Lions led all day, but did not escape without a few heart palpitations in a match that was marked by huge momentum swings, especially in the third term.
LADDER leaders Lake Wendouree and Bacchus Marsh each had decisive wins ahead of their clash next round.
Here are the scenarios for sixth:
DARLEY
# Guaranteed if it defeats Sunbury
# If it loses it needs Sebastopol to upset East Point and to be sure Melton to lose to North Ballarat City.
EAST POINT
# It must defeat Sebastopol and rely on Darley losing.
# If the Kangaroos win, Darley loses and Melton wins, they will certainly still get in the top six on percentage
MELTON
# If it defeats North Ballarat City, Sebastopol upsets East Point and Darley loses to Sunbury, the Bloods could sneak in on percentage depending on margins, but do have a margin to make up.
ROUND 17 RESULTS
Sunbury 19.10 (124) d North Ballarat City 13.7 (85)
East Point 20.17 (137) d Melton 6.9 (45)
Sunbury 19.10 (124) d North Ballarat City 13.7 (85)
Bacchus Marsh 20.10 (130) d Ballarat 5.6 (36)
Lake Wendouree 16.12 (108) d Sebastopol 8.11 (59)
LADDER
LAKE WENDOUREE 15 13 2 0 2 0 1552 1045 148.52 60
BACCHUS MARSH 15 12 3 0 2 0 1692 923 183.32 56
SUNBURY 15 11 4 0 2 0 1665 1092 152.47 52
NORTH BALLARAT CITY 15 10 5 0 2 0 1617 1158 139.64 48
REDAN 15 10 5 0 2 0 1348 981 137.41 48
DARLEY 15 7 8 0 2 0 1260 1407 89.55 36
East Point 15 6 9 0 2 0 1308 1297 100.85 32
Melton 15 6 9 0 2 0 1083 1275 84.94 32
Ballarat 15 5 10 0 2 0 1139 1564 72.83 28
Sebastopol 15 3 12 0 2 0 868 1494 58.10 20
Melton South 16 0 16 0 1 0 950 2246 42.30 4
ROUND 18
Lake Wendouree at Bacchus Marsh
Melton v North Ballarat City
Sebastopol v East Point
Redan v Ballarat
Sunbury v Darley
Melton South bye
