The last time Rochester and Tatura went head-to-head the game was decided in the final two minutes of the match and Bulldogs coach Paul Barnard expects a similar contest.
Rochester travels to Tatura Park for a chance to claim the double over the Bulldogs in 2023 and to also tick two rare feats off its season checklist.
The Tigers are yet to win on the road and have not won back-to-back games this campaign ― something their mentor Ash Watson hopes to rectify on Saturday in round 13 of Goulburn Valley League action.
“We haven’t won away from home yet and we haven’t won back-to-back games either, so hopefully we can do both,” Watson said.
But the Tigers will have to try and do so without one star talent.
Midfield star Joe Atley will miss the encounter after he was offered an early guilty plea of one match for intentionally striking an opponent in last week’s win over Shepparton.
Atley is the number one ranked player in the competition for contested possessions and is ranked second for clearances.
“We’ll miss him this weekend. He’s been awesome for us this year,” Watson said.
“He’s been huge; just feeding it out to the outside and winning the contested ball. It leaves a big hole for us, but it’s a chance for some of the other guys to have a run in that role.
Key stats
Contested possessions
Tatura: 12th
Rochester: 9th
Contested marking
Tatura: 9th
Rochester: 5th
Clearances
Tatura: 12th
Rochester: 7th
Defensive 50 exit efficiency
Tatura: 3rd
Rochester: 9th
Watson said Reid Gordon and Bailey Wileman would get a chance to see more midfield minutes, with the latter earning praise from the Rochy coach.
“Bailey has been terrific for us since coming back,” he said.
“He’s a real in-and-under type and he’s good in traffic.”
For the home side, it will welcome back three major ins for the clash.
Talented, but injury-prone, forward Chaz Sargeant is back after he spent one week in the twos, where he booted three goals in a starring role, while club stalwart Andrew Ciavarella and young gun Xavier Hutchison will return.
Barnard expected the game to be similar to the round five display, while he pointed out one one key match-up.
“We’ve worked hard on certain areas of our game and we know we still have a lot of improvement to come. We think we can improve on our last effort (against Rochy) and it should be a ripper game,” Barnard said.
“Last time out they took us to town in the second half ... we’re similar spots on the ladder and all metrics point to another close contest.
“Harley (McCarthy) will go to Mitch (Cricelli). We just didn’t have the right match-up for him last time and he got away from us. Harley’s had a real positive year and and he’s loving the challenges of taking on the best forwards.”