The Courier |
THE time is now for East Point.
If the Kangaroos are to prove themselves as genuine premiership contenders, they can no longer rely on simply defeating sides in the bottom half of the ladder.With a top-three spot on the line this week in a blockbuster clash against Redan, it will be the perfect time to do so.
With a tough draw awaiting East in the final six rounds before finals, the fourth-placed Roos will use Saturday’s match as a launching pad for an end-of-season charge.
They have not beaten a side above them on the ladder this year, but coach Dan Jordan said his side had to start proving itself, if it was to be considered a genuine premiership threat.
East lost to North Ballarat City by 109 points in its season opener and Redan by 55 points in round six, before going down to reigning premier Sunbury by 13 points the following week.
It sits delicately equal with the Lions in wins but behind on percentage in fourth spot, one win behind second-placed Sunbury and one win ahead of Darley in fourth.
“If we can’t match it against these sides, then we’re not good enough, it’s that simple,” Jordan said.
“We’ve only lost three games this year and it has been to the three sides above us. We know it’s something we have to change.”
Jordan said Saturday’s clash at Eastern Oval signalled the start of what was almost a season divided into three for the red, white and blue.
After a tough start in which East Point played the other five finalists from 2012 in its first seven rounds, it has played four out of the bottom six sides in the past month.
Now, in a challenging run home, it faces Redan, North City, and a road trip against the red-hot Darley among its remaining five matches.
“We don’t try and look past the next week but, looking at the draw, we know we can’t afford too many hiccups in the run home,” Jordan said.
“It’s not an easy draw for us, but it is what it is and we have to deal with that.”
The experienced Sam Kitchin is expected to return for his first senior game of 2013 on Saturday, with Chris Daniele the player most likely to make way.
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