SAINTS SURGING

FINALS CHANCE ON LINE AFTER BIG WIN

ST LEONARDS recorded its biggest win of the season last week after accounting for thirdplaced Ocean Grove.

The upset victory has instilled a certain level of belief in the St Leonards camp ahead of tomorrow’s clash against Belmont at home.

“Our player availability has increased in recent weeks, meaning we are now able to select our best sides and remain consistent with those selections,” skipper Barry Culph said.

The importance of tomorrow’s match-up for the Saints’ finals chances is significant — a win and they will be only a game behind fourth place, a loss and their finals hopes are diminished.

“We know what it’s all about, if we can replicate last week’s effort the season is alive for us,” Culph said.

While a win would keep St Leonards’ finals ambitions burning, Bell Post Hill is not far behind, just one point behind the Saints on the ladder.

They host second-placed Drysdale and firmly believe they are a chance of an upset.

Fifteen shots separated the two teams when they first met and Bell Post Hill’s Ian Price said his side could turn it around.

“We just went down when we played at Drysdale, we mixed our sides up last week and the result was positive against Belmont,” he said. “Our belief is there and we know we can win.”

Geelong Cement will have its work cut out when it hosts Torquay. Both teams are coming off a loss and it will be fourth-placed Torquay who will be keen to reverse a disappointing loss to Highton 2 last week at home.

Two other clubs coming off a disappointing opening round to 2019 will see Leopold take on third-placed Ocean Grove.

The Grovers will need to rebound from their loss to St Leonards if they are to again press for a top-two finish.

Top side City of Geelong continues to set the benchmark and should be too strong against Highton 2.