Glengarry will play host to Rosedale in a game that is expected to be a tough encounter.The Blues line up has won it past two matches against Cowwarr and TTU quite convincingly.
While Glengarry will be on the rebound from a disappointing showing in the wet conditions, which saw the Magpies suffer a massive loss to Heyfield.
The Magpies chances of consecutive finals campaigns all but dashed, the side’s loss last week seeing them slip from sixth place to ninth.
Hunger for the ball was always going to decide the Bombers and Blues showdown in the pouring rain last Saturday. A tenacious Rosedale emerged from the mud at the final siren with more than just a 51 point win.
The win ensuring that the Blues remain in close check to the top five. Rosedale sits outside the five by percentage, the Blues having plenty of incentive to win their trip to Glengarry.
But the chance to continue knocking on the door of the top five won’t be the Blues motivation to beat the Magpies.
Rather coach Damien Birss and his chargers are using an old football analogue ‘taking it one week at a time’.
The Blues aren’t getting too ahead of themselves, while the past two weeks has seen success and reward for the side’s efforts, the month prior was disappointing.
“We are not focusing on playing finals footy, we would love to play finals but we are being realistic.
“We have won two of the last six, after having lost four in a row. We pushed Heyfield, had Woodside on toast being six goals up at half time and then were thumped by Boisdale.
“The loss to Boisdale tested the resolve of the club. The boys could have dropped their heads and given up but they have stuck at it and seen the rewards for their continued hard work in past weeks,” said Birss.
A win this week would certainly aid the Blues chances of knocking Gormandale out of the five, while a loss would have the club looking towards next season.
“Finals will happen if we continue to win, were taking it one week at a time. If we don’t win this week finals will be beyond our reach.
“If we can continue to play a physical hard brand of footy as we have in past weeks it should serve us well. The focus is on hard aggressive footy being first at the ball and dictating play.
“I couldn’t complain about our efforts last weekend, we will need to bring our game to the table on Saturday and hopefully it will be enough for us to get the win.”
HEYFIELD were scintillating for the four terms last weekend, blowing the Magpies off the park playing strong, contested football.
In a worrying sign for rival clubs chasing this year's premiership, the Kangaroos are continuing to gain momentum at the pointy end of the season.
While the premiership race is still widely open, Heyfield is not flailing in their assault on the prized silverware with the Kangaroos to host the Tigers on Saturday.
GORMANDALE will be aiming to all but close the door on the North Gippsland Football Netball League top five come this Saturday.
After a commanding 76 point victory over Stratford at home last week the Tigers moved into fifth position ahead of Rosedale and TTU.
But closing the door on the remaining sides that are chapping at their heals will take the unthinkable, the Tigers needing to end the ladder leaders nine game winning streak.
Victory this week would see the Tigers depending on other results, move at least one game clear of the pack and make their move on September action.
The Tigers need to continue to take steps forward to be considered a genuine challenger at the end of the year. A win would boost the side’s confidence ahead of a potential elimination finals berth, and there is no bigger test then flag favorites Heyfield.
An eight goal second term last Saturday in heavy conditions demonstrated CHURCHILL’s versatility in the wet.
The Cougars will host TTU who knocked over the reigning premiers in one of the biggest upsets of the season, the Bombers winning by 57 points.
On that occasion, Nick Turnbull kicked four goals for the Bombers, with Chris Buckley and Michael Taplin among the best.
Cougars coach Leigh McDonald saying at the time the side “played terrible footy against TTU, we realised that we are far form the side that people think we are.”
Since that meeting the Cougars have continued to evolve and have come into some solid form in the past month.
While Churchill has hit their straps, TTU were disappointing against the Blues and will be looking to get back on the winners list to stay in touch with the five.
Disappointing last week, STRATFORD will be aiming to record another victory before seasons end.
Hosting the Bombers, Stratford will take comfort from their performance against the competitions fourth ranked side in round five.
The Swans mounting a late quarter challenge which saw the side pile on three unanswered goals, to come within 22 points of the Bombers.
It won’t be an easy task to knock over Boisdale who have an untarnished away record, the Bombers having won seven from seven.
BOISDALE sent a timely reminder it is a contender in this year's premiership race with an impressive win against another challenger Woodside on Saturday.
It is the second time this season the Bombers have had the better of the Wildcats, the win keeping alive the Bombers hopes of securing the double chance come finals.
The Bombers are fast becoming the side to be wary of, the Bombers having claimed the scalps of Heyfield, Churchill and Woodside all sides who sit above them on the standings.
WOODSIDE have won one of their past three matches, with the Wildcats dropping the points against potential finalists Heyfield and Boisdale.
Saturday will see SALE CITY travel down the South Gippsland Highway to take on the Wildcats.
The Wildcats will be keen to return to the winners list come Saturday while an upset win to City would keep the Dogs in reach of the five.
COWWARR has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
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