Tom Hayes
WITH only four games in the North Gippsland Football-Netball League tomorrow, as opposed to the regular five, pundits can expect at least one of those to be a stand-out game in regards to importance.
Churchill hosts Heyfield to headline Round 14, in a game that would be considered a must-win game for either side.
The Cougars currently have an eight-point buffer over Yallourn Yallourn North in fourth, and will not want to get sucked into a potential play-off for third.
A win here against Heyfield, and a should-win game against Glengarry the following week before the bye could have Churchill in a decent position before they play two tough games ahead of finals.
As for the Kangaroos, they need the win to stop themselves from falling into the traps of Yarram in sixth position. As the Demons have the bye, it gives Heyfield the chance to move two games clear.
Heyfield has continually grown as the season has developed, which saw them turn their season around, becoming potential finals contenders again.
The Roos are on an upward trajectory, since losing their last game in Round 9 to premiership potential Woodside, they have defeated Yarram, Rosedale and Glengarry all convincingly.
Churchill will be a test no matter what.
The Cougars haven’t found things easy as of late, but have managed to get wins when they needed to, except for an outlier loss to Yarram in Round 12.
One thing you shouldn’t do is write off the Cougars at home, as they can clearly play their best footy at Gaskin Park.
With the amount of injuries on the Cougars’ list to some of their best players, Heyfield could be every chance to jag another win and put another twist in the finals race.
YYN need to put the pressure on.
The Jets got back on the winner’s list after easily disposing of Yarram last week, a team that was on the up.
Their upcoming game against Rosedale should be no different as they continue in their hunt to secure a double-chance.
Of course, they do need Churchill to slip up at least once more before they take them on in Round 17, which could ultimately see the tides shift in the final couple of rounds.
It’s not over until it’s over.
Rosedale managed to put up a small fight last weekend against the Cougars, but ran out of legs in the final quarter which saw them concede seven goals to nothing in the final term.
The Jets should remain confident if the same happens throughout their game, as they are recognised as one of the fittest teams in the competition.
WOODSIDE must finish strong.
The Wildcats visit the Boneyard this weekend, following their second loss of the season, once again at the hands of Traralgon Tyers United.
It now looks unlikely that they can capture top spot before the home and away season ends, but they still have every right to finish the season strong and cause havoc throughout August and early September.
With Gormandale, Cowwarr, Sale City and Yarram to play, Woodside really should win all of those games to stay second and play against the third-placed team, and no matter who it is, they have already beaten them this year.
It might be a long day for Gormandale in all aspects.
Every week that goes on makes it appear more and more likely that they will go a season without winning a game, but it makes it tough when a team so young is pretty much thrown in the deep end.
Hopefully things can start to swing their way in the near future.
COWWARR host Sale City in a game that may have no meaning when looking back at the end of the season.
Sale City sit two wins out of the top five, all while having played an extra game than Heyfield, so it could be more.
But their run home isn’t all promising, meaning finals does appear to be unlikely for the Bulldogs this season.
The Saints have only picked up two wins and a draw this season, the wins coming against last-placed Gormandale and the draw against Rosedale – a rung above them.
Anything can happen when you play at home, but Sale City should get the win here, and keep teams above them accountable.
THREE teams have the bye this week – Glengarry, Yarram and league-leaders TTU.
