All eyes will be on the Lucknow and Wy Yung senior football clash this week with only four rounds remaining in the East Gippsland Football Netball League, with both sides keen to make a play for a double berth.
A victory to the Magpies at home would see them go two games clear of the Tigers, while a Wy Yung win would see the two sides locked on 11 wins, either level with Boisdale Briagolong or a game behind.
The Tigers’ pace and ball movement worried Lucknow when the two sides clashed earlier in the season, Wy Yung running out easy 23-point winners.
The Magpies have a tall forward structure, which could be dangerous if the ball is kicked in fast and direct, however that doesn’t always happen.
That will challenge the accountability of the Tigers’ backs, players like Nate and Jobe Sommerville, who can play small or tall.
If they are forced to play tall, which nullifies their run and carry, it’s Lucknow’s best chance of scoring a win.
Both sides have good defensive units, so don’t expect a shoot out, which will suit the Magpies, who aren’t prolific but their mix of tall and medium defenders match up well on most sides.
Lakes Entrance will head to Stratford full of confidence after eclipsing Lindenow with a strong finish last week.
The Seagulls were far from impressive in the first three quarters against the persistent Cats, but showed what they are capable of in the final term, kicking six unanswered goals.
Both sides have plenty of players on the sidelines. The Swans are desperately in need of ruck talent with former league best and fairest winner Lincoln Toner, who played in the reserves last weekend, a chance to play in the coming weeks.
Although the Swans have several hard runners on the sidelines, including James Channing and Harry Langford, they still have the nucleus of greatness with Lachie Channing and Jack Bacon leading the way, quality players who hurt sides who don’t pay them.
Matt Duggan, Angus McKenzie and Liam Carroll will have their hands full as the Swans push on in search of the vital double chance.
Seagulls coach Ben Rotheram will be hoping his charges, can get off to a good start and frustrate the Swans with their endeavour and enthusiasm, and you never know, an upset could be possible.
Orbost Snowy Rovers will have no time to dwell on last Saturday’s defeat, needing to dust itself off quickly and go again if it is to continue to push for a finals spot in 2024.
It’s a hotly contested race for finals action, with Boisdale Briagolong, Lucknow and Wy Yung leading the race for ultimate glory, with Stratford nipping at their heels, Orbost hoping to make a late play.
A finalist in 2024, the Blues have been quelled by injury in recent weeks, but continue to hang in there, mathematically still with a chance, their campaign hanging by a thread.
The Blues will need to win their final four matches, starting with Lindenow on the road this week, which they will go in as warm
favourites.
The following week they will host Stratford, followed by Lakes Entrance and Lucknow away.
Make no mistake, Orbost Snowy will need to win all four and hope it can gain some valuable percentage against Lakes and Lindenow.
Neither will be as easy as it sounds with both showing plenty of fight in recent weeks.
They will also be reliant on Boisdale Briagolong beating the Swans, who should account for Lakes Entrance and Paynesville in their other two games.
But on their day both are capable of an upset, especially if the injury toll continues to mount at Stratford.
In the final match of the round Boisdale Briagolong is at home to Paynesville, who have struggled with unavailability, injury and form in recent weeks.
It would take a fair turn around for them to eclipse the Bombers who are travelling well at the top of the table.
