Shepp News |
Shepparton United will have to achieve something coach Marc Quarrell has never done if it is to maintain its unblemished record.
The Demons have never beaten the Bulldogs at Tatura Park in four previous games in his tenure — a draw two years ago being the closest — but they will have a fifth attempt this weekend.
‘‘We would have had wins there by now if I knew (what the problem was),’’ Quarrell said.
‘‘I really don’t know what it is, but we haven’t even spoken about that and it won’t even get mentioned.
‘‘Tatura over at Tatura is a very tough contest, so we need to make sure we bring our A-game and not worry about the past — only the present.’’
United is yet to reach great heights this season, other than against Shepparton Swans in round three, but sits atop the Goulburn Valley Football League ladder as the sole undefeated side.
Quarrell was keen to produce a good performance tomorrow.
‘‘To be 5-0 and not playing our best footy is pretty good and I’m much happier playing Tatura at 5-0 than being 2-3 or something like that,’’ he said.
‘‘I’m a coach that wants to win every week and this is just as important as any game, but I’m not going to take any gloss off it — I really want to win it.
‘‘We’re 5-0, so it’s not a do-or-die situation, but I will be disappointed if we don’t win.
‘‘You always want to be able to beat quality opposition and that does give your side more confidence and there’s no bigger challenge than Tat.’’
The Demons regain Ryan Butler (quadriceps), but lose Mick Looby (knee), while Ben Waite (calf) is a likely inclusion for Scott Grigg’s Bulldogs.
Teenager Elliot Cavallaro will make his senior United debut.
‘‘They’ve got a lot of strong bodies, some pretty wise heads and they use the ball well,’’ Grigg said.
‘‘Their efficiency offensively is very good, so we’ve just got to make sure we restrict their impact.
‘‘Our defensive pressure (needs to be high), but, more importantly, if we use the ball well and make team-oriented decisions, it’s going to restrict their opportunities to have the ball.’’
Grigg said the Demons match-up would not determine Tatura’s season, but could ‘‘shape it’’.
‘‘We’re still evolving as a team, but now is an opportunity to reward ourselves,’’ he said.
‘‘We need to make sure we reward ourselves with efficiency, decision-making and skill execution, just on some of the key stats and figures we’ve been getting.
‘‘We’re going to be in a great position going forward if we win it, but if we lose we need to make sure we knuckle down and keep working on these areas we need to get better at.’’
