Rochester will be hoping to take a step closer to punching its ticket to the Goulburn Valley League finals when they take on the Shepparton Swans on Saturday afternoon at Princess Park.
With two rounds left to play, the race for the GVL top six is coming down to the wire. Four teams are fighting it out for the last three spots, with Rochy in the thick of things.
Sitting in fifth spot on the ladder, the Tigers are in good shape to reach the post-season, but their finals future is not yet guaranteed.
Their destiny is in their own hands – if Rochester can beat the Swans and Shepparton Bears in its last two games, two sides below them on the ladder, the Tiges will finish in the top six for the third season in a row.
But a loss in either game could leave the Tigers on the outside of the top six looking in, with Mooroopna, Kyabram and Seymour also vying for a finals berth.
Despite currently being in fourth and sixth on the ladder, the Cats and Bombers are both at risk of falling out of the finals race.
Ky will face Mansfield (second) and the Swans (eighth) in their final two games, while the Cats will have two tough challenges in Euroa (third) and Echuca (first).
Seymour are outside the top six four now, but with games coming up against Tatura (10th) and Shepparton United (12th), the Lions stand a good chance of climbing up the ladder.
The Tigers will be full of confidence heading into Saturday’s clash at Princess Park after three wins on the trot, including a 186-point demolition of Shepparton United last round – the biggest win the league this season.
On top of that, Rochester already boasts a victory over the Swans this season, having topped them by 38 points in round six.
Mitch Cricelli and Steven Stroobants were Rochy’s key targets up front, booting four goals and three goals respectively, while Shaun Atley led the way with 35 disposals and 12 clearances.
Midfielder BJ Squire had 33 touches and Quade Johnstone kicked two goals for the Swans.
Elsewhere, Echuca will take on Shepparton United at Vic Park as the Murray Bombers look to claim their 16th win of the season.