Eltham kept its finals chances alive with a 39-point victory over Greensborough at Eltham Central Park in Round 15.
The Panthers still remain a game outside the top five, despite a convincing 17.8 (110) to 10.11 (71) victory against a young Greensborough outfit.
Four-goal hauls to James Kroussoratis, Paul Currie and Brad Perry contributed to Eltham’s impressive performance with only a few minor hiccups in the first quarter.
Greensborough started the game in scintillating fashion with the first three goals of the day. With Tim Bongetti out of the line-up, Rhys Boyden was looking ominous up forward with two of the three goals early in the first quarter.
However things quickly changed as Eltham went on to kick 12 of the next 13 goals, leaving the Boro flat-footed and without an answer to the Panther onslaught.
With their season on the line, a response was needed from Greensborough at the start of the last quarter after poor second and third quarters.
Heading into the final quarter, the Panthers led by 31 points and seemed to have one foot in the door of victory. But after a goal to Greensborough forward Cameron Jordan a minute into the last quarter, the belief was all of a sudden evident amongst the Boro players.
An interesting five minutes followed with both sides lifting their intensity as the lead stood at 25 points in Eltham’s favour.
But just as quick as the Boro’s belief had been resurrected, the Panthers were able to regain control of the match. Kroussoratis kicked his third for the game followed by Currie’s fourth to put the result beyond any doubt.
Brad Perry worked effortlessly in the centre of the ground, kicking his four goals from stoppages in the Eltham forward 50m. His strength in the middle of the ground was almost as dominant as his teammate Josh Marchbank’s work in the ruck.
Marchbank gave the Panthers midfield first use of the ball, allowing for numerous quick breaks that set up a nine-goal unanswered run during the second and third quarters.
Kroussoratis continued to impress for the Panthers and now has 14 goals in the past four games. Meanwhile, brothers Tom and Lachie Richardson were able to take control of the game from the back half, seemingly running around as loose men.
There weren’t too many winners on a disappointing day for the Boro. Lachlan McQuilken and Jason Rogers did their best in the midfield, Alex Rintoul started well before fading out while John Pritchard, Josh Grubb and Drew Wilson played well in patches.
After its eighth consecutive loss, Greensborough’s finals chances are now gone with a win most likely needed from one of its last three games to save it from a close relegation battle. The Boro remain only a game and percentage ahead of Lower Plenty and Epping with three rounds remaining this season.
Next up for Eltham is Macleod at De Winton Park, with the Roos having now beaten Montmorency and Heidelberg in their past two games. The winner of that battle will fight it out with West Preston-Lakeside for the final spot in this year’s finals series.
Final score: Eltham 17.8 (110) def Greensborough 10.11 (71)
