NFNL Div 3 discussion 2024

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Many older heads getting around in Div 3? Haven’t played for a while and wanting to have a run before it’s too late.
 

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Cafari and Nolan overseas at the moment, luckily Gilmore seems to be prioritising the raiders over european adventures. Travelling is rampant this year, makes results interesting all over the league with players in and out constantly.
Massive outs these two blokes, Nolan in superb form over past month! Is W Gilmore still about or overseas as I had heard
 
Epping was easily the better side today but was surprised at how much harder Epping were than Mernda. Mernda will be hoping for fine weather come finals if todays game is anything to go on.
 
Turtles are cooked. Continually relying on too many washed veterans well past there best and a group of players who have chosen the turtle dome because it’s an easy option. Same stodgy game plan they have been playing for years means every team is in the game until the end because they only kick 7-9 goals a game.
 
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Rezza better side today Ivanhoe seemed to just know how to win in the end big few weeks coming up in terms of shaping the ladder


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Dont think they were necessarily better but it could have gone either way. Big difference in the game was that Ivanhoe refused to play to the conditions and Rezzas did.
 
Good game of footy at Hoe Park where Rezza right in it all day. Could have gone either way to be honest with both teams having their chances at different stages and having a real crack.

Huge turn out after the game from the opposition - a few other clubs could learn from them - IMHO

Happy to get the four points and another big one against West H next week to stay in the finals race in our first year of NFNL.
 
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Turtles are cooked. Continually relaying on too many washed veterans well past there best and a group of players who have chosen the turtle dome because it’s an easy option. Same stodgy game plan they have been playing for years means every team is in the game until the end because they don’t not kick 7-9 goals a game.
I’d be interested to know how their ground is holding up. It’s soft as butter in cricket season because the groundskeeper insists on watering even if it’s raining 24hrs a day. Wouldn’t be surprised if the sprinklers are on in winter as well!
 
Have you planned the premiership celebrations yet Kappa?
Only for Hawthorn TW 😉

Comfortably beaten by both Kilmore (who are on the charge) and Mernda (who we can’t judge on one performance yesterday) and up against the Stars this week, so there’s definitely no talk of premierships at The Garvey. There hasn’t even been much chatter about finals this far out.

Yesterday was a solid, workmanlike performance and happy to come home with the 4 points. Less enthused about coming home with a raging head cold from General Chicken Oval though 🤒

We’re like Chump at the moment, and enjoying the ups and downs of the new journey
 
Only for Hawthorn TW 😉

Comfortably beaten by both Kilmore (who are on the charge) and Mernda (who we can’t judge on one performance yesterday) and up against the Stars this week, so there’s definitely no talk of premierships at The Garvey. There hasn’t even been much chatter about finals this far out.

Yesterday was a solid, workmanlike performance and happy to come home with the 4 points. Less enthused about coming home with a raging head cold from General Chicken Oval though 🤒

We’re like Chump at the moment, and enjoying the ups and downs of the new journey
So where’s mad Monday with the cup booked at again?
 
From HS

Kinglake upsets Old Eltham Collegians as Shane Harvey kicks late match-winner​

Shane Harvey added to his collection of match-winning goals as Kinglake produced a stunning upset over Old Eltham Collegians, putting a major dent in the Turtles’ finals hopes.

Shane Harvey never fails to deliver in the big moments.

The Northern league goalkicking legend added to his collection of match-winning goals on Saturday as Kinglake pinched a nail-biting five-point upset win over Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College.

The decisive goal, with two minutes remaining, denied a Turtles comeback from 24 points down early in the fourth term, instead condemning the one-time NFNL Division 3 premiership fancy to a fifth straight defeat.

Nominating for a ruck contest, Harvey was unwittingly shepherded out by his opponent and awarded a free kick 30m out directly in front.

His only goal of the game delivering a 8.7 (55) to 7.8 (50) victory.

Kinglake coach Dave Florance was proud of his team after falling behind late in the game.

“It’s just an old stager using the brains,” Florance said of Harvey’s free-kick.

“There would have been a minute-and-a-half left maybe, there were a couple of unbelievable efforts from Damian Pywell on the forward flank – one against two and managed to keep it in our area.

“We felt like the conditions suited us, I was licking my lips when the weather came in over night – they’re quite a big side.

“We knew they’d come, which they did in the end, and we had to weather storm.

“There were some crucial moments in the last and a couple went our way, which was good.”

Kinglake started strongly, jumping out to a 10-point lead after holding Collegians to a single behind in the first term.

The margin extended to 14 points at half-time as the Lakers slotted an unbelievably efficient four goals straight.

n heavy conditions, an 18-point three-quarter-time lead turned into a 24-point advantage when Michael Bongailas kicked the first goal of the final quarter.

However, the Turtles stormed home and took a one-point lead after four answered goals, only for Harvey to intervene.

Kinglake stalwart Rohan King was best-on-ground in the victory, dominant in defence, while ruckman Liam Styles impressed in difficult conditions for big men.

Tom McErlain and Bailey Robinson also impressed, while Damian Pywell slotted a match-high four goals.

“Rohan wound back the clock, he was really good across half-back,” Florance said.

“He just ran straight through the ball, when you’ve played as much senior football as he has, you know the ball is going to skid on so he attacked it head on.

“His passion for the club is unmatched and he was quite emotional after the match.

“Liam has been a twos ruckman for the last few years but with the lack of height we’ve got at the moment he battled on.

“He played the last two quarters without a rest in the ruck and you know what it’s like in the ruck, there’s stoppage after stoppage, and he just kept going.”

For Old Eltham, Paul Vidinopoulos, Jeremy Murphy, Brad Johnstone and Liam Rushton-McCoach all stood tall.

The result sees the Turtles slip out of the top-five for the first time this season and face the daunting task of turning their season around with a trip of Mernda, also fresh off a heavy loss.

Kinglake faces an equally difficult challenge as it hosts Epping but Florance is confident the club can finish the season strongly and build momentum for 2025.

“We haven’t played with our strongest team, at one stage we had 12 injuries to senior players,” he said.

“We start to get a couple back and two weeks in a row at home is good at this time of year.

“We’ll start to build some momentum so it’s just about staying up and riding that and we think we can do a bit of damage and ride that into next year.”
 
From HS

Run Home: we predict who plays NFNL Division 3 finals in exciting season climax​

Seven into five does not go. In what looms a razor tight finish to the NFNL Division 3 season, we attempt to predict every club’s run home and who plays finals.

All eyes are on NFNL Division

While it might be the lowest rung, there’s no doubt it’s the hottest competition in the league.

Newcomers Old Paradians and Ivanhoe have proved excellent additions.

Mernda, Fitzroy Stars and Old Eltham Collegians are established powers and with Epping dropping down it’s been must-watch footy every weekend.

Kilmore remains in top-five contention, Heidelberg West and Kinglake are capable of pulling surprises and the likes of Lalor and Reservoir continue to develop competitively.

We’ve analysed every club’s run home to predict the final ladder and likely finals match-ups.

1. OLD PARADIANS (9-0-2, 153.99%)

Run home
: Fitzroy Stars (A), Kilmore (H), Reservoir (H), Lalor (A), Bye, Old Eltham Collegians (A)

Difficulty: 4/10


Prediction: LWWWBL

Finish: Second (12-0-4)

The Raiders have a big challenge this week with fellow premiership aspirant Fitzroy Stars waiting at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. The last five weeks sees four extremely winnable games. However, we’ve given the Round 18 win to Collegians considering Paradians will likely already be cemented in the top three and the Turtles could be fighting for their finals spot. A top-three spot is the aim and, now that it is a game clear on top, three more wins will easily see that goal accomplished.

2. FITZROY STARS (8-0-2, 158.69)

Run home
: Old Paradians (H), Lalor (A), Mernda (H), Reservoir (A), Epping (H), Kilmore (A)

Difficulty: 6/10

Prediction: WWWWWW

Finish: First (14-0-2)

The Stars face a tough run home but have the luxury, if you want to call it that, of playing fellow premiership contenders Old Paradians, Mernda and Epping all at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. It’s a significant advantage in the race for top spot. That said, in this season’s Division 3 competition, nothing is given and all three of these games could just as easily be losses. Given Fitzroy is now fresh off the bye, it should be cherry ripe for a big run home.

3. MERNDA (8-0-3, 152.78)

Run home
: Old Eltham Collegians (H), Kinglake (A), Fitzroy Stars (A), Kilmore (H), Bye, Ivanhoe (H)

Difficulty: 5.5/10

Prediction: WWLWBW

Finish: Third (12-0-4)

The Demons untimely slip up against Epping on Saturday sees them fall from top spot to third but all is not lost. A top-three spot is the minimum aim for last year’s grand finalist and a strong place to launch a premiership campaign. Mernda have a tricky run home with top-five contenders Old Eltham, Fitzroy Stars, Kilmore and Ivanhoe on the schedule. However, three of those matches are at home, which is a big boost.

4. EPPING (7-0-4, 126.62%)

Run home
: Kinglake (A), Old Eltham Collegians (A), Bye, Heidelberg West (A), Fitzroy Stars (A), Lalor (H)

Difficulty: 4/10

Prediction: WWBWLW

Finish: Fourth (11-0-5)

If the Pingers can bring the type of performance they delivered against Mernda on a weekly basis, there’s no reason they should lose another game. We’re being realistic and predicting one loss, Fitzroy Stars away, but Epping showed it is a genuine premiership contender on Saturday. Four road games is a difficult run home, especially with trips to Kinglake and Eltham College. However, good teams win anywhere.

5. IVANHOE (7-0-4, 114.42%)

Run home
: Heidelberg West (H), Bye, Old Eltham Collegians (H), Kinglake (H), Lalor (A), Mernda (A)

Difficulty: 3/10

Prediction: WBWWWL

Finish: Fifth (11-0-5)

The Hoers can come home with a wet sail with four games at home and three games against clubs outside the top-six. Crucially, the potentially top-five deciding clash against Old Eltham Collegians will be at Ivanhoe Park. Win that and finals are all but locked in, lose it and Ivanhoe faces the challenge of potentially having to defeat Mernda at Mernda to get in.

6. OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS (6-0-5, 137.91%)

Run home
: Mernda (A), Epping (H), Ivanhoe (A), Bye, Heidelberg West (A), Old Paradians (H)

Difficulty: 7/10

Prediction: LLLBWW

Finish: Sixth (8-0-8)

Fair to say, the Turtles could not have timed their mid-season collapse worse. Five defeats on the trot and now a visit to a Mernda team looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat. All is not lost, even with a defeat this weekend. The home game against Epping and away game against Ivanhoe are season-deciding. Win them both and finals are back on the menu, lose them both and its season over, which would be a significant disappointment after back-to-back preliminary finals and some major off-season recruiting.

7. KILMORE (6-0-5, 128.35%)

Run home
: Bye, Old Paradians (A), Heidelberg West (H), Mernda (A), Kinglake (A), Fitzroy Stars (H)

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Prediction: BLWLLL

Finish: Seventh (7-0-9)

The Blues head to the bye in terrific form, three wins on the trot including a 69-point hammering of Old Eltham Collegians and a 96-point win over Lalor on Saturday. They return with one of the hardest tasks in the competition, Old Paradians at Garvey Oval, and also face Mernda and Fitzroy Stars in the run home. It’s hard to see where the wins come from except for Heidelberg West at Clancy Reserve. Given where it finished last season, Kilmore has done well to be in finals contention at this point in the season.

8. HEIDELBERG WEST (4-0-7, 74.19%)

Run home
: Ivanhoe (A), Reservoir (H), Kilmore (A), Epping (H), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Bye

Difficulty: 4/10

Prediction: LWLLLB

Finish: Ninth (5-0-11)

It’s turned into a bit of a rebuilding year at Heidelberg Park but there are certainly some positives to take from the season. The Hawks can certainly finish on a high and very much have the potential the shape the top-five. West faces top-five contenders Ivanhoe, Kilmore, Epping and Old Eltham Collegians. Each of them would be banking on a win but in this season’s competition nothing can be taken for granted and the Hawks are more than capable of pulling off upsets.

9. KINGLAKE (3-0-8, 75.16%)

Run home
: Epping (H), Mernda (H), Bye, Ivanhoe (A), Kilmore (H), Reservoir (A)

Difficulty: 5/10

Prediction: LLBLWW

Finish: Eighth (5-0-11)

The Lakers showed what they’re capable of on Saturday with a stirring win over Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College. After making a splash in its NFNL return last year, the club has been hit hard by injuries and untimely defeats this season. However, it has a big chance to finish strongly, especially with a few key players to return, and can have a big say in who finishes where in the top-five with games against Epping and Mernda at home and Ivanhoe on the road.

10. LALOR (2-0-9, 52.41%)

Run home
: Reservoir (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Bye, Old Paradians (H), Ivanhoe (H), Epping (H)

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Prediction: LLBLLL

Finish: 10th (2-0-14)

While the win-loss column may not necessarily reflect it, it’s been a strong season for Lalor as it rebuilds under Lance Whitnall. The club secured its first win since 2021 and has its first multi-win season since 2019. A win this weekend against Reservoir would be the Bloods first three-win campaign since it dropped out of Division 2 in 2017. We’re predicting Reservoir to ensure every club has at least one win but Lalor enter the game favourites despite struggling in recent weeks.

11. RESERVOIR (0-0-11, 42.42%)

Run home
: Lalor (H), Heidelberg West (A), Old Paradians (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Bye, Kinglake (H)

Difficulty: 5/10

Prediction: WLLLBL

Finish: 11th (1-0-15)

The Mustangs’ grand final arrives this week when they host fellow struggler Lalor. Reservoir came desperately close to knocking off top-five hopeful Ivanhoe on Saturday, showing what its best football is capable of. It might also fancy its chances against Heidelberg West but after that it’s hard to see a win coming in the final month of the season. There’s been positives for new coach Rohan Davies and the club will look to keep building with another off-season.

NFNL Division 3 predicted finals​

Week 1 Bye: Fitzroy Stars
Qualifying Final: Old Paradians v Mernda
Elimination Final: Epping v Ivanhoe
 
From HS

Run Home: we predict who plays NFNL Division 3 finals in exciting season climax​

Seven into five does not go. In what looms a razor tight finish to the NFNL Division 3 season, we attempt to predict every club’s run home and who plays finals.

All eyes are on NFNL Division

While it might be the lowest rung, there’s no doubt it’s the hottest competition in the league.

Newcomers Old Paradians and Ivanhoe have proved excellent additions.

Mernda, Fitzroy Stars and Old Eltham Collegians are established powers and with Epping dropping down it’s been must-watch footy every weekend.

Kilmore remains in top-five contention, Heidelberg West and Kinglake are capable of pulling surprises and the likes of Lalor and Reservoir continue to develop competitively.

We’ve analysed every club’s run home to predict the final ladder and likely finals match-ups.

1. OLD PARADIANS (9-0-2, 153.99%)

Run home
: Fitzroy Stars (A), Kilmore (H), Reservoir (H), Lalor (A), Bye, Old Eltham Collegians (A)

Difficulty: 4/10


Prediction: LWWWBL

Finish: Second (12-0-4)

The Raiders have a big challenge this week with fellow premiership aspirant Fitzroy Stars waiting at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. The last five weeks sees four extremely winnable games. However, we’ve given the Round 18 win to Collegians considering Paradians will likely already be cemented in the top three and the Turtles could be fighting for their finals spot. A top-three spot is the aim and, now that it is a game clear on top, three more wins will easily see that goal accomplished.

2. FITZROY STARS (8-0-2, 158.69)

Run home
: Old Paradians (H), Lalor (A), Mernda (H), Reservoir (A), Epping (H), Kilmore (A)

Difficulty: 6/10

Prediction: WWWWWW

Finish: First (14-0-2)

The Stars face a tough run home but have the luxury, if you want to call it that, of playing fellow premiership contenders Old Paradians, Mernda and Epping all at Sir Doug Nicholls Oval. It’s a significant advantage in the race for top spot. That said, in this season’s Division 3 competition, nothing is given and all three of these games could just as easily be losses. Given Fitzroy is now fresh off the bye, it should be cherry ripe for a big run home.

3. MERNDA (8-0-3, 152.78)

Run home
: Old Eltham Collegians (H), Kinglake (A), Fitzroy Stars (A), Kilmore (H), Bye, Ivanhoe (H)

Difficulty: 5.5/10

Prediction: WWLWBW

Finish: Third (12-0-4)

The Demons untimely slip up against Epping on Saturday sees them fall from top spot to third but all is not lost. A top-three spot is the minimum aim for last year’s grand finalist and a strong place to launch a premiership campaign. Mernda have a tricky run home with top-five contenders Old Eltham, Fitzroy Stars, Kilmore and Ivanhoe on the schedule. However, three of those matches are at home, which is a big boost.

4. EPPING (7-0-4, 126.62%)

Run home
: Kinglake (A), Old Eltham Collegians (A), Bye, Heidelberg West (A), Fitzroy Stars (A), Lalor (H)

Difficulty: 4/10

Prediction: WWBWLW

Finish: Fourth (11-0-5)

If the Pingers can bring the type of performance they delivered against Mernda on a weekly basis, there’s no reason they should lose another game. We’re being realistic and predicting one loss, Fitzroy Stars away, but Epping showed it is a genuine premiership contender on Saturday. Four road games is a difficult run home, especially with trips to Kinglake and Eltham College. However, good teams win anywhere.

5. IVANHOE (7-0-4, 114.42%)

Run home
: Heidelberg West (H), Bye, Old Eltham Collegians (H), Kinglake (H), Lalor (A), Mernda (A)

Difficulty: 3/10

Prediction: WBWWWL

Finish: Fifth (11-0-5)

The Hoers can come home with a wet sail with four games at home and three games against clubs outside the top-six. Crucially, the potentially top-five deciding clash against Old Eltham Collegians will be at Ivanhoe Park. Win that and finals are all but locked in, lose it and Ivanhoe faces the challenge of potentially having to defeat Mernda at Mernda to get in.

6. OLD ELTHAM COLLEGIANS (6-0-5, 137.91%)

Run home
: Mernda (A), Epping (H), Ivanhoe (A), Bye, Heidelberg West (A), Old Paradians (H)

Difficulty: 7/10

Prediction: LLLBWW

Finish: Sixth (8-0-8)

Fair to say, the Turtles could not have timed their mid-season collapse worse. Five defeats on the trot and now a visit to a Mernda team looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat. All is not lost, even with a defeat this weekend. The home game against Epping and away game against Ivanhoe are season-deciding. Win them both and finals are back on the menu, lose them both and its season over, which would be a significant disappointment after back-to-back preliminary finals and some major off-season recruiting.

7. KILMORE (6-0-5, 128.35%)

Run home
: Bye, Old Paradians (A), Heidelberg West (H), Mernda (A), Kinglake (A), Fitzroy Stars (H)

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Prediction: BLWLLL

Finish: Seventh (7-0-9)

The Blues head to the bye in terrific form, three wins on the trot including a 69-point hammering of Old Eltham Collegians and a 96-point win over Lalor on Saturday. They return with one of the hardest tasks in the competition, Old Paradians at Garvey Oval, and also face Mernda and Fitzroy Stars in the run home. It’s hard to see where the wins come from except for Heidelberg West at Clancy Reserve. Given where it finished last season, Kilmore has done well to be in finals contention at this point in the season.

8. HEIDELBERG WEST (4-0-7, 74.19%)

Run home
: Ivanhoe (A), Reservoir (H), Kilmore (A), Epping (H), Old Eltham Collegians (H), Bye

Difficulty: 4/10

Prediction: LWLLLB

Finish: Ninth (5-0-11)

It’s turned into a bit of a rebuilding year at Heidelberg Park but there are certainly some positives to take from the season. The Hawks can certainly finish on a high and very much have the potential the shape the top-five. West faces top-five contenders Ivanhoe, Kilmore, Epping and Old Eltham Collegians. Each of them would be banking on a win but in this season’s competition nothing can be taken for granted and the Hawks are more than capable of pulling off upsets.

9. KINGLAKE (3-0-8, 75.16%)

Run home
: Epping (H), Mernda (H), Bye, Ivanhoe (A), Kilmore (H), Reservoir (A)

Difficulty: 5/10

Prediction: LLBLWW

Finish: Eighth (5-0-11)

The Lakers showed what they’re capable of on Saturday with a stirring win over Old Eltham Collegians at Eltham College. After making a splash in its NFNL return last year, the club has been hit hard by injuries and untimely defeats this season. However, it has a big chance to finish strongly, especially with a few key players to return, and can have a big say in who finishes where in the top-five with games against Epping and Mernda at home and Ivanhoe on the road.

10. LALOR (2-0-9, 52.41%)

Run home
: Reservoir (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Bye, Old Paradians (H), Ivanhoe (H), Epping (H)

Difficulty: 6.5/10

Prediction: LLBLLL

Finish: 10th (2-0-14)

While the win-loss column may not necessarily reflect it, it’s been a strong season for Lalor as it rebuilds under Lance Whitnall. The club secured its first win since 2021 and has its first multi-win season since 2019. A win this weekend against Reservoir would be the Bloods first three-win campaign since it dropped out of Division 2 in 2017. We’re predicting Reservoir to ensure every club has at least one win but Lalor enter the game favourites despite struggling in recent weeks.

11. RESERVOIR (0-0-11, 42.42%)

Run home
: Lalor (H), Heidelberg West (A), Old Paradians (A), Fitzroy Stars (H), Bye, Kinglake (H)

Difficulty: 5/10

Prediction: WLLLBL

Finish: 11th (1-0-15)

The Mustangs’ grand final arrives this week when they host fellow struggler Lalor. Reservoir came desperately close to knocking off top-five hopeful Ivanhoe on Saturday, showing what its best football is capable of. It might also fancy its chances against Heidelberg West but after that it’s hard to see a win coming in the final month of the season. There’s been positives for new coach Rohan Davies and the club will look to keep building with another off-season.

NFNL Division 3 predicted finals​

Week 1 Bye: Fitzroy Stars
Qualifying Final: Old Paradians v Mernda
Elimination Final: Epping v Ivanhoe
Enjoyed the read and as good a summation as you could give right now in what is a very, very tight competition and more upsets(?) still to come you would imagine as players O/S, injuries and more wet weather take hold in the next month.

I'll have a crack .....

NFNL Division 3 predicted finals​

Week 1 Bye: Mernda
Qualifying Final: Stars v Old Paradians
Elimination Final: Epping v Turtles

With Kilmore just short on enough wins and the Hoers % an issue.
Kinglake and West could cause carnage for sides in and around the top 5.
Lalor and Reservoir - will be looking to continue their undoubted improvement on last year, so wont pack it in.
 
Enjoyed the read and as good a summation as you could give right now in what is a very, very tight competition and more upsets(?) still to come you would imagine as players O/S, injuries and more wet weather take hold in the next month.

I'll have a crack .....

NFNL Division 3 predicted finals​

Week 1 Bye: Mernda
Qualifying Final: Stars v Old Paradians
Elimination Final: Epping v Turtles

With Kilmore just short on enough wins and the Hoers % an issue.
Kinglake and West could cause carnage for sides in and around the top 5.
Lalor and Reservoir - will be looking to continue their undoubted improvement on last year, so wont pack it in.
Chump, is that reverse psychology you are using?

Def have the easiest run home. I know you have a heap of injuries but the draw has helped In that regard
 
Enjoyed the read and as good a summation as you could give right now in what is a very, very tight competition and more upsets(?) still to come you would imagine as players O/S, injuries and more wet weather take hold in the next month.

I'll have a crack .....

NFNL Division 3 predicted finals​

Week 1 Bye: Mernda
Qualifying Final: Stars v Old Paradians
Elimination Final: Epping v Turtles

With Kilmore just short on enough wins and the Hoers % an issue.
Kinglake and West could cause carnage for sides in and around the top 5.
Lalor and Reservoir - will be looking to continue their undoubted improvement on last year, so wont pack it in.
chump, with the hoers run home and play majority of their run home at home, and you say they could miss finals?? you have to look at the results for the season, hoers have only lost one game at home and that was parade by 4 points i agree with your qualifying prediction but your elination final looks like its going to be a show down between epping and Ivanhoe
 

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NFNL Div 3 discussion 2024

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