Yarraville Seddon Eagles have ticked the next box as they locked in a top three spot in the Western Football League division 1 competition.
The Eagles have continued to grow the past three years and have taken an extra step this season.
Coach Brad Julier said things had gone to plan so far for the side.
“It’s a great result to lock in the top three and we can now plan for finals,” he said. “We’ve given ourselves a double chance.
“Once we locked in finals, this was another tick for us. We’ve seen that improvement again from last year and we want to continue on to win a final now.”
For Eagles, finals came early on Saturday as they faced reigning premiers Hoppers Crossing.
Like the Eagles, the Warriors have been keen to lock in a double chance as well.
Julier said they approached the game with the Warriors like a final.
“It was going to be that type of intensity,” he said. “It was good to get the win.
“It was a seesawing contest in the first half and we were really happy.
“Hoppers come in the third and fourth quarters and we knew they would.”
The Eagles led at each of the breaks, but that meant for little when the Warriors levelled the scores in the last quarter.
After the Warriors kicked their third in the fourth quarter at the 14 minute mark, it was all the Eagles in the run home.
They had the last six scoring shots, including kicking four goals, to ensure they came away with a 13.10 (88)-8.14 (62) win.
“It was satisfying to see that fight when we were challenged,” Julier said. “They drew level and had the momentum.
“It was pleasing to finish with the momentum.”
Daniel Snell kicked five goals from the midfield in a best on ground performance for the Eagles.
Lachlan Green, who kicked three goals, Riley Anderson and Kobe Cikala were among the other standouts for the Eagles.
The Eagles, who are pretty much at full strength, will face Point Cook Centrals in the final round.
The Sharks sit bottom with two wins for the season.
Julier said they wanted to finish off the regular season in good form.
“We want to get the win there and start preparing for finals,” he said.
“They’ll be hoping to get another win and get off the bottom”
Meanwhile, Spotswood is set to play finals despite a loss Parkside on Saturday.
The Woodsmen led by one point heading into the final quarter before the Magpies came home strong.
The Woodsmen sit in fifth spot a game clear of Parkside and Albion but are nearly 24 ahead in percentage.
In other matches, Newport beat Altona.
Division 2 finals are locked in with Braybrook getting the final spot.
The Brookers beat the Suns to ensure they finished fifth, with the two sides to face off in an elimination final this weekend.
North Footscray will face West Footscray in the qualifying final with Wyndhamvale having the week off.
