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Reigning Premiers out to seal finals berth Print E-mail
North Gippsland FLReigning premiers HEYFIELD will test their credentials over the next two weeks with clashes against BOISDALE and Gormandale.

Their season ledger sits at 10 wins and five loses after 17 rounds, the Roos inflicting Gormandale with their only lose of the season by 10 points.

The stakes are high particularly for Heyfield, the Roos have occupied fifth position for the majority of the season with a spot in the final five all but guaranteed however Rosedale is tapping at their feet.

Although the equation doesn’t sit in the Blues favour Rosedale remains a threat to derail Heyfield’s premiership defence.

Their poor start to the season may haunt Heyfield if they were to drop the final three games of the season.

The Blues are still to sit out their second bye of the season, but could sneak into the five if Heyfield was to drop the next two with the points needing to go the way of Rosedale in their remaining matches.

Stringing together a winning streak through the later part of the season the Roos have won five of their last six. 

Coach Rod Tatterson admitting Heyfield’s season is in the balance the side holding their finals chances in their hands, “It is up to us, if we don’t win two of the next three then we don’t deserve to play finals, it is simple as that.

“It will be a tough game against Boisdale, they’re one of the big improvers this season and one of the best sides running around,” he said.

Making a number of on field changes Tatterson said his chargers have adapted well to the new dynamics.

“We have adjusted a few things over the last month and the players have responded well to the changes,” he said.

“The side has been a lot more settled over the last five to six weeks with a number of players returning from injury.”

While the closeness of the competition has been the topic of much conversation this season, no one is in any doubt that fifth could have every bit as much chance of winning this year's premiership as third has.

The man at the helm of the premiers is looking forward to the coming month, “I’m looking forward to the next month.  The side is coming good at the right end of the season and we have seen throughout the season that anyone can beat anyone.

“Whoever plays well on any given day can come away with the points and I don’t think that it is going to change now not at this stage.”

Going down to the line in their round seven meeting the Bombers claimed the honours by two points after trailing for the majority of the clash.

While the two side’s defensive structure and play is similarly aligned, Heyfield boasts superior forward options which the Bombers defence will need to close down.

The Roos finishing with four multiple goal kickers last week, Andrew Stevens and Lyell Berry the pick with five a piece while Mark Stevens was kept to one after a nine goal haul the week prior.

The four points and a chance to lock away a finals place will be a telling motivator for Heyfield who looks good enough to knock over the second placed Bombers.

Bottom side WOODSIDE will go in search of a rare victory when they host TTU.

Beaten by 10 goals in their previous meeting, they will come up against tough competition the Bombers brushing aside an improved Stratford outfit last Saturday.

A win would be great experience for the Wildcats younger players in their first season, their only victory to date some five weeks ago against Stratford.

It will be a tough ask with Woodside’s experienced tier of players needing to rise to the challenge to get the side over the line.

GORMANDALE has tightened its already short quote to win the 2008 flag after dominating performances against potential grand finalists, Boisdale and Glengarry.

With minor premiership honors guaranteed the Tigers will host COWWARR in their second last home game.

Winning two of their last three the Saints matched it with Boisdale last week before falling away in the final term.

Claiming the one win to date against a higher ranked opponent the Saints are carrying some solid form into this weeks clash and will be aiming for a competitive showing against the ladder leaders.

Cowwarr knows that they can match it with the competitions front runner.  The Saints matched the Tigers earlier in the season the two sides battling out a tight second half.

However the damage was done early on that day, Gormandale scoring nine goals to one by half time damaging any chances of a Saints victory.

GLENGARRY faces a danger game against ROSEDALE, the Blues coming away with the win in their early encounter by seven points.

The Magpies put up a mighty fight against the competitions premier side Gormandale last Sunday.

Glengarry demonstrating that they are in the ball park and aren’t miles off the competitions front runner.

The Magpies can ill afford to drop the points against Rosedale, a loss who deal the Magpies top three chances a huge blow.

Glengarry sit level on points with Churchill (44) both sides one game clear of Heyfield, with the race on to secure the sought after double chance.

A win to Rosedale would keep the finals door ajar.

While their form over the last six weeks has been indifferent against the competitions front runners the Blues have been close.

The Blues dropping the points to Gormandale by eight, while their round 16 clash against Churchill saw Rosedale rally in the second half to go down by five while Heyfield had their measure winning by over seven goals.

There is no question that Rosedale has the ability to knock over Glengarry.  The Blues however can ill afford as they have done this season to give the Magpies a head start on the scoreboard in a season defying match.

STRATFORD will play host to CHURCHILL, with the Cougars looking to cement a double chance in the first week of finals.

After sitting pretty in the top half of the ladder for the majority of the season, Churchill has won five of their last six with a top three finish to be cemented with a win against the Swans.

The Cougars midfield is classy and up forward Nathan McDonald and Daniel Hawking are capable of kicking a bag.

With the return of Dale Paterson and the Sutherland brothers Jason and Ryan strengthening Churchill’s ranks, the improving Swans will need to be at their best to overcome the Cougars.

SALE CITY has the BYE   

YOUR TEAMS RUN HOME TOWARDS PREMIERSHIP GLORY

GORMANDALE – Heyfield, TTU
BOISDALE – TTU, Churchill
GLENGARRY- Cowwarr, BYE
CHURCHILL – Woodside, Boisdale
HEYFIELD – Gormandale, Cowwarr
ROSEDALE – BYE, Stratford

By Lauren Carey
 
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