The last round of Haisman Shield is here and with finals just around the corner the ladder is far from set with four of the top-six clubs playing each other in an action-packed round 13.
One of the weekend’s highlights will be the Cricket Shepparton match between third-placed Nagambie and sixth-placed Katandra.
While the Eagles are coming off a disappointing 13-run loss to Numurkah, Nagambie is full of confidence after securing an outright victory over Shepparton United in a dominant display.
However, the most intriguing battle will be between Central Park-St Brendan’s (fifth place) and Numurkah (fourth).
The match appears evenly poised and the outcome will determine who secures the all-important home final.
The Tigers are coming off a rough weekend, having lost to Tatura in round 12, while also losing the A and B-grade one-day grand finals.
But Central Park coach Tyler Larkin isn’t concerned about the past, as he believes all the team should focus on is the present.
“We just have to go out there and be positive, I think,’’ he said.
‘’We had a couple of tough games recently, but never a better time than now to make it all happen.’’
And, while Larkin backs his team to get the job done, he knows how important securing a home final is against a side like Numurkah.
“I think they (Numurkah) are a pretty well-rounded team, to be honest,” he said.
“A lot of their players, one through to seven, can both bat and bowl.
“I think we have got to focus more on ourselves in the next two weeks and then leading into finals.
“Jarrod Wakeling, I think he has taken something like (29) wickets for the season. He is an outstanding red-ball bowler and we are probably going to lean on him for hopefully a good performance this week.”
On the flip side, Blues captain Tim Arnel is filled with confidence in his side after hitting a solid patch of form in the new year, winning four from four matches.
“We have been really disciplined after Christmas,” he said.
“We are not going to change anything just because we want to (secure) a home final.
“We’ll back our brand in and, hopefully, we can get the job done against a quality team.
“Ramadan Yze and Dwain Vidler are probably the keys to their team, so if we can nullify what they do, I think we have a really good chance of getting the job done against them.”
Arnel is coming off an impressive 2023-24 season to date, having scored 380 runs with a top score of 102.
But the talented top-order batter believes it has been an even spread of contributors that have led to Numurkah’s impressive run of form.
“It’s funny, every game we have played there have been different challenges, so whether it be a spinning pitch where our spinners have stepped up or a fast pitch where our seamers have stepped up like Matty Cline and Timmy Braybon,” he said.
“I know it’s a cliché, but we really have stepped up and there has been no standout for us.
“It’s been a really even contribution between the 11-13 players who have played in our squad in the past five or six weeks. Whatever challenge presents itself this week, we know we have the personnel required to step up.”
In other Haisman Shield matches, Kyabram will be looking to put some pressure on the top six when it takes on last-placed Karramomus.
Ladder leader Waaia will be looking to carry its form into finals when it takes on Shepparton United at Princess Park.
Euroa will be hoping to make it two wins in a row when it takes on Tatura and Mooroopna will be hoping to cement its spot in second place with a win over Northerners.