North Gippsland Football Netball League will get an appetizing taste of what’s to come two weeks out from finals action when sixth placed SALE CITY host GORMANDALE.Both sides September ambitions hinge on Saturdays result, with the victor nearly all but guaranteed a berth in the elimination final.
The Tigers have occupied fifth position for the past three weeks, and appear in the box seat.
But it has been the form of a number of sides sitting below them on the ladder including City who sit outside the five by a mere two percent that are cause for concern for Tigers coach Shane Hamilton.
Hamilton says the Tigers are excited by the challenge of confronting the in form Sale City and will treat the match as a “mini final” in what will be a true test of character for his side.
“It is a huge match for the guys, we don’t want to be pinning our hopes on round 20 so we need to play well against Sale City and get the points so that we don’t have to think too much about the week following.
“Obviously there is plenty riding on the match, we’re trying not to mention finals too much, but the guys know that the end result is a lot more important then any other game.
“They know what is on the line, we don’t need to stress that rather focus on consolidating a place in the five,” said Hamilton.
City’s early season form was outstanding the Dogs sitting a top of the ladder standings before the side fell away at the midway mark.
Coming back into some solid form, the Dogs pushed Heyfield last week and should test the Tigers.
“We still have a few out, we have missed the presence of Shayne Simpson who is at long odds to return and Dylan Spence has been another that we would love to get back,” said Hamilton.
“Sale City’s early season form was outstanding and they are really beginning to come back into that, Schuback, Hider and Downes have been leading the charge and will take a bit of work from our guys to contain them.
“We have a few options on who we can play on the trio and we will back them all day to do the job, but we won’t be changing out set up too much rather focusing on the best combination to get us over the line.”
Whether the Sale City trio play on the ball or up forward they will certainly cause headaches for the Tigers coaching staff, but Gormandale knows that they too boast an impressive forward line structure.
“To have Paul ‘Stixs’ Richards back in the side at near full fitness has been a great pick up for us in past weeks.
“He had a day out at Glengarry booting eight, we certainly have the fire power up forward, we just have to get it into them to ensure that we have the best chance of coming away with the win,” said Hamilton.
COWWARR hasn’t beaten HEYFIELD since round 10 of their premiership season in 2006.
Although the two sides sit at the opposite ends of the premiership ladder standings, this weeks clash is priming to be another classic tussle between the fierce rivals.
When Cowwarr and Heyfield last met in round eight, the Kangaroos were sitting in top spot, and were tested by the bottom placed Saints in the opening half before Cowwarr fell away going down by over 10 goals.
On that occasion Kangaroo coach Stuart Anderson was judged best on ground with Dave Kelly and Sean Humphries standouts.
While the season is nearly done and dusted for the Saints, the Kangaroos are still becoming the hunted side of the league. Heyfield tested last week by City who was desperately seeking the competitions big scalp.
The question remains does the Saints have enough to claim the scalp of Heyfield? The Saints will be hoping so with former club champions who will gather for Cowwarr’s Past Players Day sure to spur the side on.
ROSEDALE came within points of knocking over WOODSIDE in their previous meeting.
Getting out of jail after a solid second half the Wildcats can ill afford to be complacent against the Blues.
Suffering injuries to a number of their key players among them the Staley brothers Clint and Justin and coach Travis Ronaldson, the Wildcats have done well to fill the void.
But they may be stretched this week by Rosedale who look to have the right combination to come away with the win.
It wasn’t pretty football last round but it was enough for BOISDALE to scrap over the line, and ensure that their top three ambitions remain in check.
The win seeing the Bombers draw level on points with third place Woodside.
With plenty riding on the results of the final two rounds, Boisdale knows that a loss would see the side relegated to a berth in the knock out final.
While this may sit in the minds of many, the side will need to focus on the match against a depleted GLENGARRY outfit.
Up to 14 players were omitted from the sides starting 22 last week, but in a promising sign for the club a number of thirds eligible players continue to evolve each week in the senior side.
While injuries will make it hard to come away with the points, the Magpies can take heart that Boisdale’s home turf has been a happy hunting ground for away sides.
TTU will be keen like their opponent STRATFORD to claim another win before seasons end.
The Bombers claimed the points in their round eight encounter, Wayne Carmody, Tom Lambert and David Smith among the best in the side’s comfortable 21 point victory.
Both sides’ seasons have been one of mixed fortunes with both sides claiming a big scalp, but have struggled against sides similarly ranked.
The Swans have been disappointing in past weeks and will need to regain focus to put in a solid showing to beat the Bombers who appear to have the edge.
CHURCHILL has the BYE
By Lauren Carey
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