Coming back: Scoresby's Beau Cosson is expected to return for the Magpies this Saturday. Picture: Ted Kloszynski
SCORESBY'S top-three hopes have reached a tipping point heading into their home clash against premiership fancy Balwyn this Saturday.
The Magpies beat Vermont at Vermont last weekend and sit in fourth place, hot on the heels of the Eagles on the Eastern Football League
division 1 ladder.
If the Magpies can beat the Tigers they close the season with matches against lowly South Croydon and Croydon so with three wins would, at the very least, finish third or higher.
But a loss could leave them stuck in fourth place and playing in an elimination semi come finals time, possibly against two-time premier Noble Park, who beat the Magpies in the past two grand finals.
Magpies coach Scott Whyte said the win over the Eagles was one of his club's best for the season but wouldn't amount to much if they couldn't also beat the Tigers.
"This game against Balwyn is vital," he said.
"We must do that or it undoes the good work done of this last win."
Whyte paid tribute to the pressure and intensity of his players against the Eagles and their determination to win despite being without key players Chris Hoegel and Beau Cosson.
"Chris had a slight calf strain and Beau was ill on game day so pulled out," Whyte said.
"We controlled the game all day and really pressured Vermont when they had the football.
"We didn't kick very straight at the start, kicking two goals seven behinds in the first term. If we had taken our opportunities we would lead by a much bigger margin."
Whyte said Cosson and Hoegel would return against the Tigers.
Ben Wilson, Brenton Legg and Wade McConnon were named best players against the Eagles with Kirby McConnon and Ben Broonsgeest kicking three goals each.
In other division 1 news, Knox Falcons have reappointed senior coach Jon Knight and reserves coach Rhys Marget for season 2013.
EFL division 1: Norwood 48 points, 130.44 per cent; Balwyn 44, 147.55; Vermont 44, 130.92; Scoresby 44, 129.67; Noble Park 44, 124.47; Lilydale 28, 101.29; East Burwood 28, 99.03; Knox 24, 85.39; East Ringwood 20, 87.38; Blackburn 20, 82.61; South Croydon 12, 69.33; Croydon 4, 64.58.