Plummeting back down to earth with a tough loss to Kyabram in round 10, East Shepparton cannot afford anything but a win this weekend as it plays host to Stanhope in Allan Matheson Shield action.
Coming out of the Christmas break locked to the bottom of the Goulburn Valley Playing Area weekend pennant division one table, the Eagles were a changed team to begin 2022, knocking off premiership fancy Tallygaroopna in a Friday night boilover before easily accounting for Euroa the following week.
Now sitting in sixth spot, East Shepparton finds itself one win and 12 points out of that coveted fourth position, making this clash a must-win if it wants to keep its finals hopes alive.
Speaking on the After the Jack podcast, Eagles young gun Jacob Brighton said the team believed it was as a good a chance as any to pinch a spot in the finals.
“The win (at Tallygaroopna) was really good and a very close match with the last five ends being neck and neck, but we ended up getting the win which was great because we needed it,” Brighton said.
“We are close now (to the four), we are not bottom any more, so we will just have to keep winning and we will be a chance.”
Stanhope on the other hand will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins after escaping the clutches of the bottom of the ladder with a tight 16-94 to 2-87 win over Euroa last week.
Tallygaroopna will be desperate to bounce back from its close loss to Shepparton Golf last week as it welcomes Tatura-Hill Top to town.
Similar to their round three clash with the Golfers, the Redlegs were competitive for the entirety of the contest, but found themselves unable to overcome the class of the reigning premier, falling 16-91 to 2-78.
Coming in to this clash as firm favourites, it is imperative Mark Ryan and company don’t overlook the Bulldogs, who have had a knack of taking it right up to the competition’s top sides this season.
This included a stunning upset triumph over Kyabram a fortnight ago, as well as an inspired effort against Golf in round eight where they fell 16-91 to 2-88 in a thrilling encounter.
Ladder-leader Shepparton Golf will make the trip to Euroa this weekend in the hope of chalking up its 10th win of the season.
The six-time reigning premier has been as clinical as ever this season, warding off all comers to be sitting three games clear on top of the ladder.
That’s not to say it hasn’t had its struggles of late, with tight wins against Tatura-Hill Top and Tallygaroopna in recent weeks showing it can be beaten.
The Magpies will just be looking to put up a competitive performance on the park, as they hope to fight their way off the bottom of the ladder in the coming weeks.