There is a general consensus among the coaches of the top six sides of North Gippsland Football that on any given day any side at the pointy end of the premiership ladder can beat anyone. With that in mind, those same coaches are aware of just how high the stakes are when this weekend the top six face off in an enthralling season defining round of football.
Flexing their muscles YARRAM accounted for Heyfield for the second time this season and will be confident that they can again hold ROSEDALE at bay when fourth hosts the second placed Blues.
There are few coaches that haven’t prescribed to the fact that this season will be one of the tightest races to finals, and one man who knows just how important every win is Blues coach Ben Macreadie whose side comes into Saturday’s showdown on the back of a barnstorming 136 point thumping of cellar dweller Gormandale.
“It is a very big game for both sides, which will have a massive impact on ladder positions,” said Macreadie.
“This fortnight is huge for us and could really set us up to have a real crack come finals with a double chance.”
Describing the Demons as a physical opponent who left Rosedale somewhat battle weary Macreadie is confident that his sides continued improvement will serve them well.
“I’d like to think that we are better placed this time around as you would expect having played nearly three quarters of the season together.
“Last time we played them they were really physical with us and wore us down by the end of the game so we will be better for that and looking to use our strengths to worry them,” said Macreadie.
A four goal surge was the impetus for the Demons in posting a two goal victory as they rallied to come from a point down at the final change to account for the Blues in round five.
“We are definitely aware of their power forwards and will be looking to limit their impact. I have confidence in our backs, but also need pressure on the footy coming into them,” said Macreadie.
Completing the double against grand finalists of the past three seasons, Heyfield, the Demons are up and about. Rosedale will need to start strongly from the outset if they are to hold the Demons at bay something that the failed to do first time around.
With an opportunity to lay a claim on a prized top three berth and that much sought after double chance a classic contest awaits.
Coming into the contest on the back of a comprehensive 92 point win, TTU will be hungry to claim a top five scalp after narrowly dropping the points against Rosedale a fortnight ago.
The Bombers will be pitted against the reigning champs CHURCHILL who moved back into fifth position following a week on the outer. Despite a return to the top five Cougars coach Allan Chandler is fully aware that his side will need to lock away a finals berth in coming weeks if they are to defend their title.
“It is nice to be in the five, but we need to be there at the end of the season,” said Chandler.
“Knowing there is going to be a quality side missing out on finals is going to be tough on who ever that is, hopefully it is not us.”
Adding eight goals apiece to their season tally of 42 and 39 majors, Nic Campbell and Tim Darby, have caused opposition backlines headaches with the Bombers back six to be inflicted with further pain when the Cougars welcome the return of Brendan Holt and Hamish Towns.
Despite shaking a persistent Bomber outfit in round five Chandler is fully aware that his side can ill afford to be complacent ahead of the clash against the third placed Bombers or the cards might not fall their way come seasons end.
“It is a big match this week, another huge contest that can make a difference in where we are in the pack,” said Chandler.
“Not much can be taken out of the last game they were missing a couple of key players, we need to be on our game and play with high intensity for the full four quarters.”
Whilst the Bombers backline will be set a tough assignment, so too will the Cougars defence. Five of the competitions top six leading goal scorers will take to the field for TTU and Churchill this round. The small fleet footed forward trio of Brian Graham, Chase Saunders and Stephen Hawkins having booted 108 goals between them.
WOODSIDE will aim to rebound when they host COWWARR. The Saints taking to the road riding high following the season’s first draw which saw the competitions eighth placed side lock level with ladder leaders Sale City at the final siren.
Matching their higher ranked opponents in parts of the contest in round 13, both sides will need to refocus and take their chances if they are to return to the winners circle.
Sitting side by side on the premiership ladder standings in seventh and eighth place respectively, Woodside having registered four wins one more than this week’s opponent, plenty is at stake for both outfits.
Allowing the Wildcats to jump away to a barnstorming seven goal lead at the long change of their earlier encounter, Saints coach Luke Cooper will be well aware that his side will need to continue the form that served them well against the competitions top Dogs if they are to claim victory.
Meeting SALE CITY ahead of Rosedale and a final round clash against TTU, HEYFIELD’s difficult run to finals is ideal preparation for a side who will need to take all before them as they decide their fate.
In what can be best described as an eight point ball game, there is plenty at stake for the perennial finalists who find their end of seasons aspirations tethering following the sides loss to Yarram that left the Kangaroos one game behind the log jam.
Not holding back coach Damien Birss knows what’s ahead, “It is a big three weeks for the side that will decide our fate. We need to win, the boys know where we are at.
“We need to not just be competitive, we need to be winning games.”
With a number of changes likely at the selection table, the Kangaroos will benefit from the return of Jesse Bedggood, Matt Goodwin while Joel Dinsdale will return from injury.
Turning the football over all day against the Demons, the Kangaroos will need to resolve this shortcoming against the competitions number one ranked side if they are to make it two from two against the Dogs.
“We match up well against Sale City, I am expecting another good game against them,” said Birss.
“The guys will be up and about, ready to go, and we will see what the result is. We will be doing our best to be there come seasons end.”
On Sunday traditional North Gippsland rivals GORMANDALE and GLENGARRY will meet in the clash of the lowly ranked sides.
Enduring an indifferent season, the Tigers have posted the two wins to date, with victory over the Magpies in their earlier showdown while also inflicting the biggest upset of the season taking the points over Sale City.
While Glengarry will be out to exact revenge, history favours the Tigers who over the past 10 seasons have well and truly had their arch rival’s match. Gormandale claiming the honours in their last three meetings and will again prove to be a test for Glengarry’s resolve.
By Lauren Carey