Revenge will be on the menu for Shepparton Golf this weekend when it faces off with Tallygaroopna in an Allan Matheson Shield grand final rematch.
Headlining round seven Goulburn Valley Playing Area Weekend Pennant division one action, the repeat of last season’s decider is sure to generate plenty of excitement.
Currently sitting on top of the ladder, Golf will be hoping to increase its buffer over second-placed Tallygaroopna and coach Brett Foley is hoping his side can play some more consistent bowls.
“We’ve improved over the first three or four games, there was a bit of a poor performance in the second half last week where we started a bit scratchy,” Foley said.
“So we’re going to need to be playing well for all 100 ends on Saturday if we’re going to win."
With a number of players coming off a run in the Victorian Open, Foley hoped his charges could click into gear after an interrupted pre-season.
“Obviously playing against the team that beat us in the grand final we’re going to be keen to get the job done, but they’ve got some good players and we’re going to have to play well to beat them,” he said.
While Golf will enter Saturday’s clash with the same line-up as last week, its opponent will have a number of new faces in its squad.
Tallygaroopna chairman of selectors Mark Ryan said with the game pencilled in to be played on Friday night - until a late change - a number of Redlegs had made alternate plans.
“We’re looking forward to playing off in a grand final rematch,” Ryan said.
“I’m not really worried about winning or losing, we just want to make sure it’s a good contest.”
Joining the Redlegs’ line-up will be Brandon Baldwin, Terry Lea-Whyte and Tom Goodwin, with the trio ready to step up to the top division.
“We’ll be motivated no doubt, but we’ll bring in some new faces and give them opportunities that probably weren’t possibly there before, so it’s really exciting for us as a club,” Ryan said.
“I’m not sure what to expect, at the end of the day whatever they throw at us it will be decent, so we’ll just prepare for them to be on the jack and we’ll counterpunch them from there.
“It should be exciting.”
Saturday’s grand final rematch will begin at 1pm at Tallygaroopna Bowls Club.
Elsewhere this weekend Kyabram will welcome world-renowned bowler Alex Marshall as it plays host to East Shepparton.
Set to take place in the 6pm Friday timeslot, Marshall’s inclusion will boost an already strong Bombers line-up, with a win crucial for the side to stay in contention for first position on the ladder.
On Saturday afternoon, Shepparton Park will be aiming to rejoin the winners’ list as it hosts Tatura-Hill Top, while Mooroopna will play host to Stanhope in a must-win game.