After an up-and-down season, Greenvale is hoping it is hitting its straps at the right time of the year in Essendon District Football League premier division.
The Jets needed a final-round win against West Coburg to seal their finals spot and they did that with ease, winning 19.19 (133)-9.12 (66) on Saturday.
Finishing third, they face a do-or-die semi-final against Pascoe Vale this weekend.
Jets coach Shannon Grant said Saturday’s performance was something of a continuation of the previous week, even if injuries had cost them a win on that occasion.
“We played really well the week before for three quarters,” he said.
“We went into the last quarter without a bench and ended up losing. We followed it up this week with a solid four-quarter performance and will take confidence into next week.”
Addam Maric and Nick Lower, who are among the Jets’ leaders, led the way on Saturday. Maric kicked five goals and Lower was best on ground.
Both have missed significant chunks of football this season, with Grant saying they were starting to find form and footy hardness.
In a bonus for the side, Jacob Thompson and Matthew Smith, who have also missed several matches through injury, returned to the side on Saturday, as did Chris Farchione.
Grant said the side could possibly have a few more inclusions for the game against Pascoe Vale.
“We’ve got a few guys who will need to get through this week before selecting them,” he said.
“I think we’ve been building … they’re playing the sort of footy we know they can play individually, while working well as a team. I’m sure they’ll take some confidence from Saturday on to the track this week.”
In the other final this coming weekend, Aberfeldie will play Keilor for a spot in the grand final.
Grant said Aberfeldie, the reigning premier, was the title favourite in what he thinks will be a tight finals series.
Keilor will take confidence into the game after a four-point win against Aberfeldie on Saturday.
Airport West will next season return to division 1 after going through the season winless and finishing on the bottom of the premier division ladder.
