It’s now or never for Bairnsdale.
The Redlegs’ fight for an elusive Gippsland League finals berth has reached tipping point – two rounds remain, they sit in seventh position, four points outside the top five, need to overcome a poor percentage and hope other results fall their way just to be a chance.
And if that sounds like a mountainous task, Bairnsdale faces three-time reigning premier and current ladder leader, Leongatha, this Saturday at Bairnsdale City Oval, fresh from a week’s rest.
It doesn’t get much bigger. If outgoing coach Logan Austin and his Redlegs teammates are really a finals fancy, this weekend will be the true test – they beat Leongatha and the sky’s the limit, they lose and planning for 2025 gets into full swing.
Both teams will be eager to put their best foot forward after the bye. Leongatha lost for the third time this season, the second to Morwell, a fortnight ago, a result which doesn’t help Bairnsdale’s cause.
The Redlegs are coming off their worst performance of the season, downed on the road by a surging Wonthaggi by 79 points. The Power leapfrogged them into fifth place and now look poised for a finals tilt.
Bairnsdale’s reserves have locked in a finals spot and could secure the finals double chance with victory over the ladder leading Parrots.
Bairnsdale’s thirds are out of the finals race while the fourths are gearing up for an elimination final in two weeks time.
The Redlegs’ netballers aldo have plenty to play for.
The “A” graders are six points outside the top five and are still a mathematical chance to win through to the finals with clashes against Leongatha and Sale, who are both placed below them on the ladder, over the next fortnight.
The under 17 Redlegs have an opportunity to seal a finals double chance with victory this Saturday while the under 15s can secure the minor premiership.
Bairnsdale’s under 13s are sixth and must win their final two games to be any chance of September action, but even then other results need to fall their way.
