Both coaches may be playing it down, but tomorrow's blockbuster between Moyston/Willaura and Tatyoon has all the hallmarks of a classic showdown and could be a sign of things to come as the Mininera and District Football League finals' series looms.
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Anyway you look at this match, it is appetising...
Traditional rivals. Mininera powerhouses. First versus second.
While the ladder leaders have looked almost unstoppable throughout season 2014, there is one team that has managed to halt the Pumas' juggernaut and Tatyoon coach Jarrod Blandford said the Hawks will look to take the same attitude into this weekend's clash as they had during the win in round four.
"Just knowing in the back of our minds that we can beat them is certainly a little edge to take into the game," he said.
"It was quite a long time ago now though and they are obviously playing very good football, particularly in the last couple of weeks knocking off Hawkesdale and Bolac."
Stopping Moyston/Willaura's potent forward line will be top of Tatyoon's list of priorities tomorrow afternoon, with Daniel Guinane, Aaron McKinnis, Lachie Hamilton and Hawk-turned-Puma Aidan Bell kicking 156 goals between them this year.
Blandford said he had full confidence in his backline led by Damian Cameron and Arthur Armstrong to negate the Pumas' attack, while midfielders Andy Maconachie, Matthew Williams and Brodie Mines will offer assistance.
"We'll try and win the ball out of the centre as much as we can and just put pressure on their ball carrier when they are looking to move it into their forward line to help our back six out," he said.
"In saying that, I do have full faith in our defenders. I think we have one of the strongest back six in the competition and I back them in to get the job done."
The Hawks won't be short of confidence heading into this September preview on the back of thumping the Ararat Eagles by more than 200 points.
The match allowed plenty of Tatyoon's players to find some touch, while the form of Kye Chapple (10 goals) and Steven Butler (nine) continued.
"You definitely need goal kickers on your team and to have those two big blokes that are mobile and good targets in the air, but also are not afraid to get amongst it when the ball hits the ground is a really big asset for our side," Blandford said.
“The boys are starting to play good team footy and to come off a 32-goal victory where we were able to share the ball around amongst everyone in the side was good.
“Mitch Cronin has been very consistent over the last month, he and young John Butler together have both been performing each week.
“I’ll be looking to those two again to take another step this weekend.”
Blandford said the Hawks would have a full list to choose from, while Moyston/Willaura should also welcome back some important players including Lynden Brewis and McKinnis.
With finals football just a month away both the Pumas and Hawks will be looking forward to testing themselves against quality opposition, so expect this contest to be highly skilled and hard going.
“Every game from here on in is a game that you have got to win to keep that momentum going with only three home and away games to go before finals,” Blandford said.
“In saying that, if we were to drop this one we will just have to get our heads back together and concentrate on the week after.
“I do have full faith though that if we turn up ready to play we can get the job done on Saturday.”
SM&W Rovers won’t have any trouble notching up its seventh victory in a row when the Bulldogs host a winless Woorndoo/Mortlake.
Joe Carmody and his team must be ruing their start to the year, which saw them produce mixed form that has led to the side languishing in eighth position, even after a winning run that has spanned the last month and a half.
Carmody is leading from the front and has the Bulldogs playing exciting football, while he has good support coming from Andrew Toan, Jonathon Box and Rhys Cahir.
Hayden McCrow and Derek Stephens are a good chance to add to their goal kicking tallies tomorrow, with the Tigers’ defence full of holes.
With the sixth ranked Lismore/Derrinallum facing a tough task against Hawkesdale/Macarthur, Wickliffe/Lake Bolac has an opportunity to consolidate its position in the top five when it comes up against Glenthompson/Dunkeld.
The Magpies were gallant against the Pumas last Saturday, matching it with the competition’s benchmark for the first half before the undermanned team fell away to go down by 35 points.
Brad Keilar continues to be reliable in the ruck and always gives his onballers first use, however one question remains — Do the Magpies have enough fire power up forward to challenge the top teams?
Only two of its players have kicked more than 20 goals this season, with William Slattery (26) and Danniel Smith (21) requiring more support.
Nic Willox will be hoping for a healthy list of players to choose from, with the reigning premiers needing to get a consistent side on the park before finals.
Great Western should find its round 14 match-up with Penshurst too tough.
The Lions were unable to match it last week with Glenthompson/Dunkeld, which sits just above them in ninth position, so the prospect of facing a top four team in the Bombers will be a daunting one.
After starting the year in blistering form, Lachie Malloy had tapered off a touch in recent weeks, but in a positive sign for Great Western the midfielder hit his straps against the Rams and will be out to continue that momentum.
Ruckman Rayne Salmon has been in the Lions’ top six performers for the past six weeks and if he can manage to maintain this purple patch for the remaining three matches the club’s best and fairest award could await.
The Ararat Eagles are in desperate need of a face saving performance against Caramut after being humiliated last weekend by Tatyoon.
The 204-point defeat was one of the Eagles’ biggest since entering the Mininera and it would be safe to say morale is low at Alexandra Oval.
Coach Nathan Wemyss has been a very positive and realistic coach this season and he won’t be concentrating so much on the score line, but on the effort of his young charges.
Ash Leggett, Dan O’Connell and Naish McRoberts all continue to impress and will look to lead the way once more tomorrow when they face the Swans.
Umpire appointments
Tatyoon v Moyston/Willaura (at Tat) - Paul Spriggs and David Reynolds
Wickliffe/Bolac v Glenthompson/Dunkeld (at LB) - Ballarat Umpires
Ararat v Caramut (at Alex Oval) - Brett Schmidt and Michael Batson