Could this year’s finish be even tighter than last?

It seems hard to believe, but just 3.46 points separates third-placed Tallangatta and Belvoir, in seventh.

Lavington and Wodonga are finals certainties, with the Panthers ahead by less than half a point.

Lavington made finals last year with just three balls left, tipping out St Patrick’s by 0.02 points.

In the final two rounds, just two games will have no bearing on finals.

The finals contenders are Lavington 84.47, Wodonga 84.06, Tallangatta 67.42, East Albury 67.00, North Albury 66.79, New City 65.22, Belvoir 63.96.

SO CLOSE

St Patrick’s Luke Restall came within one run of breaking a four-year century drought against East Albury.

Restall ran out of partners on 99 in the loss to the in-form Crows.

“I’ve seen him make a heap of big scores, it was unlucky for him, he probably deserved a century and kept them in the game pretty deep,” East Albury coach Dylan Weeding said.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nathan Brown’s double against Belvoir will take some topping.

He destroyed the Eagles with 6-16 and backed it up with 76, including 14 boundaries and a six.

“He’s put a game together that a lot of blokes dream of really,” Panthers’ captain Sam Harris said.

Brown and North Albury’s Greg Daniel are battling for the Cricketer of the Year award.

Brown sits second on the run-scoring with 480 at 43.46 and third with 25 wickets.

Daniel has 361 runs and 30 scalps.

HITTING FORM

Daniel claimed 6-27 over two innings in the win over Tallangatta.

And in another ominous sign, Brendan Simmons has hit three half-centuries in his last five innings.

“That’s what we need, any side that’s around the mark, you need your good players in good form because, come finals time, invariably they’re the ones that stand up,” coach Matt Kirkwood said.

If the association’s leading run-scorer Ash Borella (481) and Ash Hulme can regain form after flying starts to the season, North is a genuine contender.

MR VERSATILE

A number of the association’s veterans have starred with the ball in recent times and they were joined by one of the more underrated bowlers.

Aaron Hoskin claimed 4-58 in the upset against New City.

“He’s 37 years of age and he bowled 25 overs of medium-pace and spin,” Albury captain Kade Brown said.

“He’s the ideal player for a captain because he just does what you ask.

“And Liam Hocking is the perfect type of bowler to go into the breeze, he bowled 13 overs for 18 runs.”

FINALS VENUE?

Wodonga captain Jack Craig is a huge wrap on Wodonga Raiders’ facilities.

“The wicket’s come a long way,” he said.

“Raiders are working on all the little things and that’s pushing them in the right direction.

“The wicket and the outfield’s exceptional, to a finals standard actually.”

Raiders are still winless, but their ‘grand final’ will be against Albury in the final round.

Albury had just the one victory, against Raiders, but that win over New City should provide momentum.