Rochester makes the journey out to Tatura this Saturday for round 14 of the Goulburn Valley League, hoping to notch its second win over the Bulldogs this season.
The Tigers were 11-point victors back in round five and will be confident in their ability to pick up a fourth victory of the season after winning two of their last three games.
But they will need to do it without star Joe Atley, who was handed a one-week suspension for striking after starring in last week’s clash against Shepparton Bears.
Atley will be a key out against the Bulldogs, whose sublime season to date has seen him touted as a Morrison Medal fancy.
The Tigers will be hopeful of carrying on their late-season revival without Atley, instead hoping to utilise the drive out of the back six that has been pivotal in recent victories.
The services of Hamish Hooppell and Blake Evans have been pivotal, such was the case in last week's one-point win over Shepparton Bears.
Hooppell showed every bit of his 180-game experience, driving Rochester forward with 14 rebound-50s, 17 disposals, and four intercept marks, moving the ball at 82 per cent efficiency.
Evans also carried on a productive season with 21 disposals and seven intercept disposals against the Bears. The Rochy flanker is ranked elite in the GVL averages for disposals (23.6) and intercept possessions (4.2).
Hooppell is also highly-rated in the intercept stakes with 4.8 per game, and the duo will once again have a key role to play against Tatura this weekend.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 33-point loss to Mansfield and will be keen to perform well on their home ground. And if the last clash between the two is anything to go by, fans could be in for another thriller.