K Rock Football | On one of the craziest final days in any football competition, Bannockburn has booked a berth in next week’s GDFNL elimination final with a 59-point win over Bell Post Hill at Victoria Park.

Heading into Round 18, the Tigers were one of three live chances to claim fifth spot and a meeting with Thomson, which was locked into fourth position no matter the result of its clash with Werribee Centrals.

However, it is fair to say that Bannockburn was second favourite behind reigning premier Inverleigh among the trio fighting for the last spot in the finals.

The Hawks, who faced a tricky trip to Anakie, held a two-point advantage on the Tigers and North Geelong, which hosted second-placed Belmont Lions at Keith Barclay Oval.

The first result to fall was out at Anakie, where the Roos – driven by the memory of club icon James Mapapalangi – overcame a slow start to hold off Inverleigh for a one-point win, 8.11 (59) to 8.10 (58).

The Hawks, who became the first reigning premier since the Lions in 2008 to miss finals the following year, knew their season was over due to the margin Bannockburn held over Bell Post Hill when the final siren sounded at DeMotts Road.

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