Finals hopes on the line in vital clash

The finals hopes of one team will be dented when the Eaton Boomers host Donnybrook at Glen Huon Reserve on Sunday.

Both teams are just one win away from entering the top five, with the Boomers two points behind the fifth-placed South Bunbury and Donnybrook just four points adrift.

The last time the two sides met in round 4, Hayward Medallist Jace Cormack led the Boomers to a dominant 47-point win over the Dons, with Michael Battaglia (four goals) and Chris Atthowe also putting on clinical performances.

But this weekend the stakes are higher and both sides need the four points, because a spot in the top five could open up with South Bunbury the underdogs to beat Harvey-Brunswick-Leshenault

Donnybrook coach Julian Burgess was hoping his side would enter the top five at the weekend before they lost to Bunbury.

“We have a new side and obviously we were hoping they were going to gel sooner,” he said.

“We are now playing good football ourselves.

“I think we lost the contested ball at the weekend for the first time in six weeks.

“But we are just looking at it as a week-by-week proposition.

“We are not looking too far ahead.”

Burgess said he was not too concerned about playing at the redeveloped Glen Huon Reserve for the first time.

“Your structures do not change.

“It is just another ground.” he said.

The Eaton Boomers will be missing Cormack until the final few weeks of the season as he is away, as is defender Josh Battaglia.

Boomers coach Brett Maguire said the loss of key personnel meant they could blood some younger players.

“When there is opportunities, you do not know what you will unearth,” he said.

“It also rewards other players and shows that if their form is warranted then they will be given their opportunities.”

Maguire admitted his side had been inconsistent this season.

“We have not had the perfect environment because of a lack of a home ground,” he said.

“I think it is more of an attitude thing.

“Our best is very good and we have shown we can mix it with the best.”