TO the victor will go the spoils when the Cohuna Kangas host Tyntynder, with the winner almost certain to claim fifth spot by the time final whistle blows on Saturday afternoon.
Just two points separate the Kangas (fifth) and Bulldogs (seventh), and with both clubs having already played out a five-goal thriller in round 1, another classic encounter is expected.
Cohuna returned to the winners’ list last Saturday with a 21-goal win over Koondrook-Barham, but the Kangas will face a much tougher opposition with Tyntynder having also
returned to form with a come-from-behind two-goal win over a much-improved Kerang.
For Georgia Anderson, the focus will be solely on her team producing a solid four-quarter effort, with the Cohuna coach confident her team’s best will be good enough to get the four points.
“We played (Tyntynder) in round 1 and it was a really good game, we led for most of the first half and even though we didn’t get the win, it was still a really good start to our season,” Anderson said.
“We’ll start with our normal line-up and how the game plays out will (determine) how we structure our team up.
“If we start getting behind, we don’t wait to make changes now, we’ll just make them straight away, whether it’s throwing Ebony Black or Carly Geary into attack or defence, we have options.
“When we play to our potential, we can be so good, but the challenge is bringing that every week and playing consistently for the full game.
“When we’re on, we’re really good and I know we can beat them because we our first-round match was really impressive.”
The Bulldogs will be equally desperate for a win, however, with coach Kelsey Rowe looking to her attacking end to step up their game, especially in the absence of regular goal shooter Bridget Dedini.
“There’s lots of importance on this game for us,” Rowe told The Guardian this week
“We’re all very aware that we need this win and if all the other games go according to script, then we should hopefully be sitting back in the five.
“Our whole attacking end will need to be ruthless in attacking the ball and scoring off turnovers and conversions.
“We can win as much ball as we want, but if we’re not scoring off it, then it’s not going to help us.
“Basically, anyone in that attacking end and midcourt will need to have a big day for us to win.
“We’re hoping we’ve had some improvement since round 1, but I’m sure Cohuna have improved too, it will be a tough game nonetheless, but we’re hoping we can carry on from last week and get the job done.
“I think we just have to match their physicality. They are a physical side and if we’re not able to match that, then we’ll be coming off second best with loose balls.
“We have to match their drive and energy over the ball and hopefully a few go our way.”
Rowe herself looms as a key player for Tyntynder at goal attack, with Carly Geary or Marli Easton likely to get the first shot at trying to limit the Bulldogs coach’s impact.
For the Kangas, their midcourt combination of Taylor Hird, Skye Perry and Lilly Guerin will be the key players, according to Anderson.
“We’ll need to try and apply pressure in the mid-third and not allow the ball to get down to their goalers with ease,” Anderson said.
“Our defensive end has been really good, we have quite a few defenders that we can throw down there if we need which helps.
“But we’re really hoping our girls bring a high level of intensity, because that’s what gets us over the line when we play well.”
With much at stake and very little separating both teams, it’s almost impossible to tip a winner, with the edge going to the side that will be closest to full strength.
Tip – Cohuna to win by one goal.
