North Gippsland Football Netball League will see numerous rivalries renewed in round 17 action.Boisdale and Heyfield will continue their rivalry of recent seasons while old foes Glengarry and Gormandale will take centre stage on Sunday.
Gormandale and Glengarry lead the pack with five sides vying for fifth position, with the competitions front runners Heyfield, Churchill, Boisdale and Woodside confirming their places in the top four.
Third placed BOISDALE will meet top placed HEYFIELD who sit two games clear of the Bombers.
The top of the table clash will confirm the victor’s premiership credentials with both sides set to meet their biggest test in the lead up to finals.
Heyfield has proven to be the benchmark of the competition, while Boisdale themselves have been far from sluggish.
The Bombers having claimed the honors twice this season against Woodside and in their only clash against the reigning premiers.
Boisdale have an opportunity to make a bold statement to the rest of the competition as they look to make it two from two against the Kangaroos.
In their earlier encounter Boisdale inflicted the Kangaroos with their only loss at home by 28 points.
Bomber coach Andrew Gieschen leading from the front in a best on ground performance which saw him kick five majors.
Heyfield’s Wayne Knight was instrumental in front of goals with four, with Joel Dinsdale and Matt Cassidy among the side’s best.
Although Boisdale got the better of the Kangaroos earlier in the season, the match is sure to be a close tussle with Heyfield favored to extend their winning streak to an eleventh win on the Bombers home turf.
ROSEDALE let their chances of a return to finals action for the first time in two seasons slip from their grasp with a disappointing showing against Glengarry.
While their end of season ambitions may be done and dusted for the year, the Blues can shake the top five with matches against the reigning premiers and Woodside to come.
This week the Blues host CHURCHILL, the Blues renowned for their ability to test the Cougars no matter where the two sides sit on the ladder, with numerous meetings going down to the wire over past seasons.
While Rosedale’s form has been up and down, many predict the match will promise plenty with past meetings results testament to the side’s evenness.
In their present form it is hard to tip against the Cougars, who have been in scintillating form over the past month, the side confirming their hold on second position as they appear poised to mount their premiership defence.
Rosedale however may prove to be the thorn in Churchill’s side as they aim to topple the Cougars.
Knocking over their more fancied opponent last Saturday, SALE CITY’s victory against Woodside ensured the Dogs remain in the finals hunt.
The Dogs will be under no illusions as to what it will take to snare fifth position, the side needing to win a number of their remaining matches while also hoping results in other clashes go their way.
Victory this week against STRATFORD is a must, the Dogs massive 12 goal victors in their earlier clash.
On that occasion Jake Schuback booted 10 of his sides 22 majors, with Kris Morrison another standout forward with five.
Stratford’s defence will be stretched as they keep check on the Dogs sharp shooters, with David Downes another set to draw plenty of attention.
The Swans will need to regroup following a disappointing couple of weeks, which has seen the omission of numerous key players sidelined through injury.
Sitting level on their best win loss result since returning to the league six seasons ago, Stratford will be aiming to cause an upset and seal their fifth win of the season.
Enjoying the weeks break COWWARR will meet the Wildcats who have enjoyed mixed fortunes over the past month.
Failing to have an impact over the last four weeks WOODSIDE have dropped their last two matches, a worrying sign for the Wildcats who may have extinguished their chances of the prized double chance.
Losing coach Travis Ronaldson for three terms last week didn’t help the Wildcats cause, the side pulling together a final quarter challenge led by Mark Collison to come within a kick at the finals siren.
The Wildcats can not afford to take the match lightly, with the Saints keen to snare a top five scalp before seasons end.
Rivalries will be renewed in Sunday’s blockbuster between old foes GLENGARRY and GORMANDALE.
The two sides sit side by side on the ladder standings, equal on six wins for the season with a mere seven percent separating the Magpies from the sixth placed Tigers.
Both teams have enjoyed mixed success this season and amazingly despite injuries and changes to their lists they remain in contention for a finals berth.
Something which appeared unlikely earlier in the season, when Gormandale had failed to record a win up until round six and Glengarry failed to record victory during the middle part of the fixture after a promising start.
It has all come together for the Magpies in recent times who have won three of their last four matches in a late run charge towards September, while the Tigers have claimed the scalp of Stratford over the past month.
Brushing aside another finals challenger in Rosedale last round the Magpies were impressive, while the Tigers kept Heyfield at bay.
In their round six meeting, Gormandale claimed the honours by 21 points the win opening the Tigers account 10.12 (72) d 7.9 (51).
Sam Marks was the pick of the goal kickers for the Tigers finishing the day with five, with Mark Adams named among the best.
Plenty is at stake with the match primed as a mini final with the loser set to bow out of finals contention.
TTU has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
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