Sport
Allan Matheson Shield | ‘Do-or-die for us’: Eagles prepare for home match against Park
In the lead-up to round seven, East Shepparton coach Brent Reiner described his outfit as one of the “luckiest bottom sides” in the history of the Allan Matheson Shield.
That is because the Eagles — despite sitting in eighth spot — are only 14 points and a win from finals contention.
Reiner hopes his outfit, which is preparing for a home match against arch nemesis Shepparton Park, can keep its season alive on Saturday.
“This weekend is do-or-die for us. It’s a massive game,” the Eagles’ coach said.
“We are only 14 points off from fourth spot, I can’t remember that being the case for the bottom side on the eve of the Christmas break. We have to be one of the luckiest bottom sides.
“I reckon we are still a chance (to play finals). Anyone can win on any given day this year, we’ve seen that happen a few times already.”
The Eagles’ position on the Goulburn Valley Playing Area weekend pennant table says more about the closeness of the competition than the performance of Reiner’s charges.
Losses to Kyabram and Tatura-Hill Top in this campaign could have easily been the other way around.
Kyabram, who sat on top of the table when the two sides met, was made to work hard against East and prevailed by 10 shots.
Last week, East managed to outperform Tatura-Hill Top after the middle stages of the match.
Reiner identified his side’s sluggish starts as the reason it had one win to its name from the opening six rounds.
“Our starts are killing us,” he said.
“We finish off very strongly but we just give sides too big of a head start.
“Last week we were down by 31 at the break and then lost by 10. Against Stanhope we were down by 18 and then we won by 21.
“We have kept the faith in our players and the rinks because we know that we have the ability. We just need to stick at it and hopefully things change this weekend.”