Rapid movements: Heathmont's Dylan Sverns gets past a Chirnside Park opponent on Saturday. Picture: Wayne Hawkins
HEATHMONT still believes it can make the Eastern Football League division 3 finals following its win over Chirnside Park on Saturday.
The Jets sit in eighth place with two matches to go but trail third-placed Ringwood by just one win and percentage.
With matches against struggling Coldstream (away) this Saturday then Ringwood (home), Jets coach Steve Buckle said a Jets win over the Cougars would set up an almighty final round.
"We think that if we can win the last two we will be a chance," he said.
"As long as we beat Coldstream that local derby to end the season could decide a finals spot as both Ringwood and us could be fighting for the one place."
While the Jets' percentage leaves them fighting for a finals place, Buckle said he was happy his side had established themselves in the division in their first year since coming up from division 4.
"We wanted to stop that 'yo-yo' effect from happening where we would be rising and falling between divisions," he said.
"That was a real focus of ours, so to consolidate our spot and then be a chance for finals is a huge effort."
The Jets had to fight for their win over the Panthers on Saturday, trailing by a goal heading into the final term.
But Buckle said his leading players such as Leigh Odermatt, Anthony Hickey and Dylan Sverns all stood up in the final term to lead their side to victory.
"Across the board we were pretty flat but it was our leaders and good players who stood up and got us across the line on a day when a few boys were quiet for us," he said.
Buckle said captain Steve Shore and vice-captain Peter Forsyth were expected to return to the side this week. Key defender Keiran O 'Driscoll could also return after a suspension.
"We have lacked some on-field leadership in the past month and it has shown in our results.
"But we still have plenty to play for, and from my point it's great to have that carrot of finals dangling in front of the boys for the final two matches."
EFL division 3: North Ringwood 52 points, 155.46 per cent; Glen Waverley Hawks 52, 138.10; Ringwood 40, 126.47; Boronia 40, 113.74; Mitcham 40, 112.99; Templestowe 40, 112.05; Wantirna South 36, 123.26; Heathmont 36, 112.15; Chirnside Park 16, 76.94; Warrandyte 16, 74.01; Coldstream 8, 71.45; Whitehorse Pioneers 8, 42.42.