AS the only team to have beaten ladder leaders Ultima this season, Hay will go in confident of another upset when they clash again on Saturday afternoon.
A seven-goal onslaught from the Lions in the second quarter proved the difference that day, with Declan Watson’s eight-goal haul leading his side to victory at home.
The ladder won’t change regardless of the result, but it looms as an ideal warm-up for the Lions ahead of next Saturday’s first semi-final against Macorna.
Senior coach Mick Cattanach was hopeful of another good showing against the competition yardstick.
“It’ll be a really good tune up for finals for us as I’m sure it’ll be a high-pressure game,” Cattanach said.
“We got over the top of Macorna at home last weekend and even though they are a very good side, for us to come up against Ultima at Ultima, it will be the perfect test of our structure and game style.
“They are well drilled, well coached and even across the ground.
“We really must make sure we win the contested footy when we get our opportunity and when we get it forward, we need to be efficient.
“I think that’s the key. They’ve got a strong back line and they move the ball well out of their back half, so if we get it forward, we have to make it count.”
The Lions will regain the services of Tom Spence, Will Clarke and Fergus Cattanach, while Ultima will be forced into a couple of changes with Jake Foster (calf) and Zac Cattlin (unavailable) out, replaced by Jacob Schaper and Jack Fletcher.
It will be important for Hay midfielders to get their hands on the ball first and keeping it inside to negate the Roos’ Mitch Seton-Stewart, Darcy Farrell and Makepeace brothers Tyler and Mitch.
The other issue to navigate will be Ultima’s spread of goalkickers, with Ryan Devereux, Kyle Symons, Bailey Codling and Sean O’Reilly all capable of winning a match off their own boot.
Macorna find themselves two games clear of Saturday’s opponent Wandella.
It’s been a season to forget for the Bombers, who will miss finals for the first time since 2015 after starting the year as one of the premiership favourites.
The Tigers will break an 11-year finals drought and would be keen to head into finals with a confidence-boosting win under their belts.
Chris Wilson will miss with injury, while Jack Featherby will return, while Matt Wilkinson should return for an understrength Wandella side.
Murrabit host Moulamein, with the home side to go in as underdogs in their final game of the year.
It will be the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with the Swans holding a 3-0 record and an average winning margin of just over 54 points.
Their round 7 encounter at Murrabit was a much closer affair, the visitors having to come from behind in the final quarter to win.
The Blues are a much better side at home and should be buoyed by the inclusions of Ryan Manning and Rhys Carmichael, while Kye McKerrow will play his first senior game. Daniel Aarsman is the only confirmed out for Moulamein.
