There’s an old saying that says that timing is everything in sport and Pines has timed its run to perfection to book a place in Sunday’s MPNFL Division One Qualifying Final against Mt Eliza at Mornington.

Coach Paddy Swayn has been telling us all season that the Pythons will peak at the right time of year, and his crystal-balling has proved correct after the Pythons crushed Bonbeach by 59 points in round 18 on Saturday.

The Pythons leapfrogged Edi-Asp into third place after the Eagles lost a dour arm-wrestle against Sorrento.

Scores were locked at three-quarter time but the Sharks kicked 3.4 to 2.0 in the final term to claim this year’s minor premiership – and a crucial week’s rest.

The Eagles loss sets up a high-quality elimination final against four-time reigning champion Frankston YCW, who proved it will be competitive once again after a thrilling draw with Mt Eliza.

Unfortunately, the seasons of Frankston, Bonbeach, Mornington, Rosebud, and Seaford have come to an end, with the Tigers to be relegated to division two.

Congratulations to Aaron Edwards from Pines, Michael Chaplin from Frankston YCW and Koby Villis from Frankston on winning the seniors, reserves and under-19 goal-kicking respectively.

The stage is also set for a thrilling netball finals series, with Edi-Asp looking to claim its fifth title on the trot over the coming weeks.

Despite losing to Sorrento in round 18, the Eagles finished top of the table and will take favouritism into this year’s finals series.

Edi-Asp and Sorrento will collide once again in the second semi-final on court one at Mornington on Sunday, while Seaford and Rosebud will look to keep their season’s alive in the elimination final on court two.

       MPNFL DIVISION ONE FINALS – WEEK 1

FOOTBALL

ELIMINATION FINAL (4 v 5) – Saturday 25 August at Chelsea

Seniors                 Edi-Asp                v             Frankston YCW                 2.00pm

Reserves              Frankston YCW   v             Sorrento                             11.40am

Under 19s            Frankston             v             Mornington                           9.45am

QUALIFYING FINAL (2 v 3) – Sunday 26 August at Mornington

Seniors                 Mt Eliza                v             Pines                                    2.00pm

Reserves              Seaford                v             Edi-Asp                                11.40am

Under 19s            Edi-Asp                v             Frankston YCW                     9.45am

NETBALL

Sunday 26 August at Mornington

SECOND SEMI-FINALS (1 v 2) – Court 1

A Grade               Edi-Asp v Sorrento                          1.45pm

B Grade               Edi-Asp v Mt Eliza                           12.25pm

C Grade               Edi-Asp v Mt Eliza                           11.05am

D Grade               YCW v Edi-Asp                                10.00am

FIRST SEMI-FINALS (3 v 4) – Court 2

A Grade               Seaford v Rosebud                          1.45pm

B Grade               Seaford v YCW                                12.25pm

C Grade               Mornington v YCW                           11.05am

D Grade               Mornington v Sorrento                     10.00am