Although we are yet to hit the Christmas break of the 2022-23 Goulburn Valley Playing Area Matheson Shield campaign, for Tatura-Hill Top the fate of its season comes down to this weekend’s clash against Tallygaroopna.
Currently sitting in seventh spot on the division one weekend pennant ladder, the Bulldogs have recorded only one victory from their six starts.
But that 1-5 record does not tell the full story, as they have fought valiantly in the past three weeks to fall to top three sides Shepparton Golf, Kyabram and Tallygaroopna by a combined 32 shots.
Now faced with the unique position of a return bout with the Redlegs, this time on their home green, the Bulldogs will be desperate to convert this string of competitive performances into a victory.
Understanding that his squad is around the mark of those benchmark teams, Tatura-Hill Top coach Brendon Boyd said this weekend’s match was a “must-win’’.
“This is a massive game for us, we probably let ourselves slip in a couple of games we were expected to do better in, so we’re certainly behind the eight-ball,” Boyd said.
“So for us now this is our last chance, we need to win this one to have a hope of playing in the finals, so the whole squad is up for the challenge that presents.”
Travelling to Tallygaroopna last weekend, the Bulldogs were impressive in their efforts despite falling 10 shots short of an upset victory.
Now returning home to face the same team, Boyd said his players took a lot out of last week’s match that it would be looking to take into this clash.
“Last week shows we aren’t far away, so we’re going into this game not scared of the situation and ready to put together a good performance that will hopefully produce a win,” he said.
“We know Tally is a quality side, so the goal for us to be really consistent across the 25 ends, that probably cost us in the finish last time out, so heading into this week we are very clear on what we need to do.”
For Tallygaroopna on the other hand, this clash offers a great opportunity to solidify itself in third spot ahead of the break.
But after surviving a major scare against these same Bulldogs last week, Redlegs chairman of selectors Mark Ryan said he understood the trip to Tatura would be a tough challenge.
“We’re just excited to have another opportunity to come against them and hopefully we can improve from the game last week,” Ryan said.
“Trying to get a good result over on their surface will be a big challenge for us, they’ve been going okay over the past few weeks and really pushed the top sides, so we definitely don’t take them lightly at all.”
Ryan explained the mindset of coming up against a team for two consecutive weeks.
“It’s certainly different, it’s not like the way you’d normally face a team after just having a win against them,” he said.
“We’ve got a few chinks we’ve got to iron out and I’m sure they will be the same, so we’ve just gotta attack this game with a fresh attitude and hopefully that will help us get the win.”
The Redlegs will be buoyed by the addition of Adrian Pantling, who makes his debut for the club after crossing over from Wangaratta.
Elsewhere, Kyabram will be looking to keep its scintillating patch of form rolling as it travels to Shepparton Park.
Coming up against the Parkers at home last week, the Bombers were far too good, winning by 31 shots in what was a statement performance.
Continuing to pile pressure on ladder-leader Shepparton Golf, it is imperative they do what they have to this weekend and ride into the break on the back of five straight wins.
Stanhope will be desperate to make amends for a poor performance last week as it welcomes a rejuvenated East Shepparton to its home deck.
While Mooroopna will be hoping for a similarly competitive performance to the one it produced last week as it makes the daunting trip to Shepparton Golf.