Greensborough have secured fifth spot in order to book their place in the 2022 Melbourne Greyhounds Division 1 finals series after defeating Macleod by 24 points at De Winton Park.
In a tight contest, it was the Boro’s ability to capitalise on stoppages and attack the ground through the middle that kept the game in their hands long enough for a 14.14 (98) to 10.14 (74) victory.
It means we will have a 2019 grand final rematch in next week’s elimination final as Greensborough face West Preston-Lakeside while an up and down season from the Roos ended with them only six points away from the top five.
Efforts from Ben Pannam and Tom Bell in the midfield allowed for quick forward line opportunities that applied pressure to the scoreboard early, while the backline unit set the tone with Billy Bedford, Jack Johnston and Angus Seivers being named among the Boro’s best.
Performances from Jordan Corelli, Brad Leggett and Hayden Manuel stood out for Macleod with brothers Reid and Kobe Brandt providing blistering ball movement up the ground.
The Roos would be the first to kick a major, thanks to a running right foot snap from Sebastian Latina.
Greensborough then quickly turned the tables as Bell, Jackson Hasler and Thomas Phelan all converted shots on goal to give their side an early three-goal lead.
Luke Joyce would then strike true through the posts for a goal along with Jacob Walker that reduced a Boro lead set by Bell’s second goal to 10-points at quarter time.
It would be almost until halfway in the next quarter when Macleod would respond again through a quick passage of play that ended with Joyce’s second goal of the game.
In a quarter defined by inaccuracy, the Boro were able to eventually capitalise on their around the ground dominance thanks to goals from Harvey Daniher and Tristan Stead which made it a 23-point half time advantage.
The pressure from Macleod continued to fall, with the Boro’s Ethan Luke continuing the scoring with a goal on the run followed by Hasler’s second of the game and a major from Jordan Smith.
Down by 35-points, Macleod continued to put up a contest and were rewarded through a goal that dribbled through for Anthony Doherty.
Matthew Hynes propelled the Boro back to the scoring column through a 50-metre goal on the run, followed by Bell’s third goal of the day that marked a game high 41-point lead.
Greensborough would head into three quarter time 35 points to the good and a major from Daniher to open the final term again extended the margin.
The Roos quickly responded through Patrick Martin who brought the led back down to 32-points.
The back and fourth possession on the field continued to be reflected on the scoreboard, with Macleod’s Corelli kicking a goal from the centre of the ground before the Boro’s Lucas Aquilina kicked his own major whilst incredibly sitting on the ground.
A late push and extra effort from Macleod in the final minutes resulted in a goal each for James Condello and Kurt Manuel to reduce the lead to 18-points.
But a third goal from Hasler sealed Greensborough’s trip to yet another finals series.
