After Saturday’s results, and contrary to some popular opinions, the Premier Third’s finals race is wide open with the final four close to set but the top two still up for grabs and the fast finishing Collegians still a mathematical chance to grab fourth spot from the faltering Uni Blues.

Coming into Saturday’s game, OM’s were vulnerable. Sitting fourth on the ladder and scheduled to play Old Xavs (1st) on Saturday and De la (2nd) in Round 18, the form guide suggested OM’s could lose both and potentially their place in the finals.

The Menages knew they were in for tough one and the contest didn’t disappoint – it was a gripping struggle - tight and hard hitting from the first bounce until the final siren with OM’s proving a little too strong.

Apart from the final result, it was just the sort of hit out the Menages needed leading into the finals. After a couple of twenty goal victories in recent weeks, it once again proved that there is no substitute for a good old fashioned hard fought contest.  There is also no better way to prepare for finals than physical, contested footy.

Whilst the Menages certainly tried hard all day, the cold hard facts lie in the result.  We were beaten by a side who just wanted the win more, who were harder at the ball and who were prepared to break tackles and put their bodies on the line more often.  That’s something that the Ménages need to learn - and learn quickly - as there are no second chances in finals. The coach has put all players on notice that at all training sessions and for the last two matches leading up to the finals the sole concentration will be on contested footy.

There were some meritorious individual performances on Saturday and none better than Matt Roache who clearly won the Dimattina Restaurant Award for BOG. In his best performance for the year Roachey was fantastic taking some trademark big grabs as well as doing the hard stuff when it was his turn.

The skipper, Patty Purcell, again set the example and showed what contested footy is all about. Huw Davies and Jack Davies, both down from the twos, committed themselves to every contest and were very valuable inclusions whilst the cousins Meehan - Danny in the ruck and Johnno at full back  - were honest contributors all day.