It was heartache for the finals hopes of Lancefield and Sunbury Kangaroos in the Riddell District Football League.
The two sides entered the final round of the season, along with Wallan, all fighting for that sixth and last finals spot.
But Wallan clinched the finals’ berth.
All were equal on points, with percentage only separating them, so results and margins were important.
The Magpies had the easiest match on paper, facing winless Rockbank. But they also had the lowest percentage entering the match.
The Magpies were ruthless en route to their 49.28 (322)-4.8 (32) win against the hapless Rams.
This saw their percentage jump nearly 24 per cent, pushing them above the Kangaroos, which had pulled off the upset of the season.
Facing undefeated ladder-leader Diggers Rest, the Kangaroos had the hardest task of all three clubs.
And they rose to the occasion, defeating the Burras, only to eventually miss out on finals anyway on percentage.
The Kangaroos led at every break and held on to win 10.7 (67)-7.9 (51).
Matt Welsh and Ryan Pretty kicked two goals a piece for the ‘Roos, with Mitch Streiff named best on ground.
The Kangaroos were left rueing the loss of both points and percentage from their round one victory against Romsey. This had been stripped from the club after it fielded an ineligible player.
If the club had kept this win, it would have played finals instead of Wallan.
Lancefield had a disappointing final round to the season. It entered the round with the highest percentage of all three clubs and needed to beat Romsey to have any chance of sealing a spot.
Instead their arch rival got one over them, with the Redbacks winning 13.6 (84)-11.4 (70).
Redbacks’ Nathan Rayment kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance.
While three sides fought it out for sixth spot, Broadford won the battle for third over Riddell.
The Kangaroos proved too good for Melton Centrals, to record their 12th win of the year and moved above Riddell, which slipped to fourth after a second successive loss.
They will now face Rupertswood, which won on Saturday for the second week in a row.
The sides will do battle in an elimination final this weekend.
Broadford will play Wallan in the other elimination final, while Diggers Rest and Macedon will face off in the qualifying final.
