An in-form Stawell side and “competition benchmarks” Southern Mallee Giants will face off in a hugely important Wimmera Football League match on Saturday.
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Stawell has scored more than 100 points in each of its last three outings, winning to keep its finals hopes alive.
Only percentage is keeping the Warriors outside of the top five but they will have to be at their best to take care of the second-placed Giants.
The Warriors have lost just one match at home so far this season, making Central Park a fortress for visiting teams.
“They are the benchmark of the league but we have hit some form at the right time so we go in with plenty of confidence,” Stawell co-coach Damian Joiner said.
“Whoever gets their game plan in place early will be in the best position since we play a similar brand of footy.
“Obviously our game style is perfectly suited to Central Park. Playing at home is always a big advantage for us.”
Southern Mallee is coming off the bye but defeated some big names such as Ararat and Horsham before the break. Giants coach Coleman Schache said he is looking forward to another big challenge.
“We have followed them recently and they are in some good form. Playing them on their home ground will also be a bit of a challenge,” he said.
“It is exciting to take on another strong side. I think our week off came at a good time but it is important we are mentally switched on from the first bounce.”
The Giants had the better of Stawell when they last met in round six, coming away with a 71-point win. Both Schache and Joiner said they expect a closer contest.
“We’re expecting a tougher match for sure. They have some good forwards and a strong midfield that is much-improved from when we last played,” Schache said.
“We only really played a quarter and a half of footy in that game. I think if we can stick with them for four quarters we have what it takes to beat them,” Joiner said.
...we have hit some form at the right time so we go in with plenty of confidence
- Damian Joiner
More than just four points are on the line this weekend, with $5000 going to the winner as well as the inaugural Grampians Excavations Cup.
“Obviously our focus is on the four points but it is a different feeling having something else on the line too,” Joiner said.
“Hopefully this can be the start of a good friendly rivalry between the two clubs.”
The Warriors will start a crucial final month of the season at the weekend, with their finals hopes hanging in the balance.
Finals contenders Warrack Eagles and Minyip-Murtoa await Stawell with ladder leaders Horsham in the final game of the season.
Jack Fisher and Jason Turnbull are potential inclusions for the Giants while young Ben Davis is in doubt for Stawell after sustaining a head knock last weekend.
