Altona will go into the final round of the Bowls Victoria metro premier division on a wing and a prayer.
The A’s have only a faint heartbeat and will flatline if even the most intricate details fail to go in their favour on Saturday.
They need to beat Mentone in the 18th and last round of the season and have to do so with a clean sweep of the rinks.
Nothing less than 18-0 is likely to suffice if the A’s are to jump from sixth into the top four.
If they can achieve that, then things get complicated, with fourth-placed Melbourne meeting fifth-placed Essendon.
According to the calculations of A’s skip Brett Dodd, the most favourable outcome for his side would be a 14-4 win by Essendon.
But at least there’s a glimmer of hope.
“We’ve probably left it a bit late, but we can still make it, believe it or not,” Dodd said.
“If Essendon win 14-4 and we win 18-0, we’re in.
“You’re relying on other results and it’s not what you want.
“We’re definitely capable of getting all 18 points … all we can do is get the 18 and see what happens.”
The A’s’ lifeline came after Saturday’s 106-64 mauling of Burwood District.
Brenton Coad (38-14), Brett Foley (26-13) and Matthew Rennex (26-20) recorded solid wins.
David Zitter lost by a shot on the last agonising end.
It was one of the rare times this season that the A’s maintained a high standard from start to finish.
“We’re usually playing good for halves in games and then having flat spots,” Dodd said. “It’s hard to put your finger on why. The talent is there for sure.”
