There is everything to play for in the Haisman Shield as the competition heads into the final round of the home and away season.
First place, finals berths, playoff seedings and bragging rights are all on the line, with six intriguing games set to close out the campaign.
Up the top of the table, Mooroopna will take on Numurkah as the Cats look to clinch the minor premiership and an automatic path through to the semi-finals thanks to the competition’s lucky loser finals format.
A loss could have Mooroopna fall as low as third, with Kyabram and Central Park-St Brendan’s a chance of leapfrogging the Cats should results fall their respective ways.
Mooroopna coach Luke Zanchetta said last year’s finals results highlighted the importance of finishing first.
Top side Waaia lost in the first round of the finals last season, meaning second-placed Central Park-St Brendan’s out of luck when it too was defeated was subsequently knocked out.
“Finishing on top this year does hold an advantage,” Zanchetta said.
“If you look at Central Park-St Brendan’s last year, they finished second and then their finals series was over with one bad innings. If you finish on top you totally negate any results not going your way.
“It is a massive thing for the club to get a minor premiership, so it is something we are all keen and looking forward to.
“We have our major raffle on Sunday, so it would be good to get a win for that as well.”
Despite what is on the line, Zanchetta downplayed the feeling of any added pressure.
“I don’t think there is any added pressure, no more than what we are already under,” he said.
“We are lucky through the season that we have got the job done and we have guaranteed ourselves a home final.”
Mooroopna’s opponent Numurkah has already guaranteed itself a top-six spot, with captain Dylan Grandell saying his side is hoping for a strong performance in the final round.
“We are just looking to take some some momentum into finals,” Grandell said.
“We are looking forward to the challenge. Obviously they are leading the way in the competition at the moment, so we know it will be a tough battle, but we are looking forward to heading down there and taking them on.
“I just want to see us play some good cricket.”
Meanwhile, Kyabram will be hoping Numurkah can cause an upset against the Cats.
A Mooroopna loss and a Redbacks victory over Euroa would have Kyabram move into first place.
Central Park-St Brendan’s also has a shot at the minor premiership, but it would need a win and Kyabram and Mooroopna to lose to jump from fourth to first.
Waaia’s finals destiny is in its own hands in the race for the sixth and final playoffs spot.
The sixth-placed Bombers are seven points ahead of seventh-placed Nagambie.
A Waaia win would end Nagambie’s season, but if the Bombers were to fall to Karramomus and Nagambie had a bonus-point victory over Old Students, their positions would be flipped.
In the last game of the round Shepparton United and Tatura will be looking to end the season on a positive note when they face off.
The two sides have three wins between them, but a win would at least provide a bright spot to what have been otherwise difficult campaigns.
What the other clubs had to say
Kyabram playing coach Jackson McLay
“It’s the last round of the year for Euroa, they aren’t in finals contention, but I am expecting them to come out and chance their arm, they have nothing to lose.
“It’s not a game we want to drop, we are playing for a top-two spot. It is quite an important game for us, so we won’t be taking the foot off the pedal at all.
“Through the first half of the season we probably lacked consistency with the bat and ball ... but the last three or four weeks our fielding, batting and bowling are all starting to click together at the right time of the year, which is exciting.”
Nagambie captain Mark Nolan
“We know we have got to show up with the right attitude on Saturday. We must win, get the bonus point and have the other result go our way to play finals.
“We’ll go out and give it everything and hopefully get the right result.
“We took plenty of positives out of last week. We probably should have won that, but let ourselves down with the ball. They (Mooroopna) are the benchmark and we really pushed them, so we know we’re not far off the benchmark teams.
“Old Students had a great win last week and they’ve got plenty of young talent. We’ll look to have an aggressive mindset to (to chase bonus point) and I think we are at our best when we do.”
Central Park-St Brendan’s playing coach Tyler Larkin
“Typically it’s a batting paradise up at Northerners, so I know the batters are pretty keen to get out there on Saturday.
“Northerners are such a dangerous team, especially up at their home deck that is never an easy game and we definitely aren’t going to be taking them lightly that’s for sure.
“It’s very important to bring winning form into the finals, last year we did the opposite and dropped a game in the final round that ended up curtailing our season, so it is vital we go up to Northerners and come away with a positive result.
“We’ll have one change with Connor Holland going out, but we are confident the squad we will have on the park can get it done.”
Haisman Shield round 14 tips
Karramomus v Waaia
Mooroopna v Numurkah
Northerners v Central Park-St Brendan’s
Shepparton United v Tatura
Kyabram v Euroa
Nagambie v Old Students
Aydin Payne (News sports editor)
Karramomus, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Tatura, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 2. Total: 48.
Tyler Maher (News editor)
Waaia, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Shepparton United, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 4. Total: 54.
Zac Standish (News sports reporter)
Waaia, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Shepparton United, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 2. Total: 55.
Bransen Gibson (News sports reporter)
Waaia, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Tatura, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 4. Total: 48.
James Kleeman (News reporter)
Karramomus, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Shepparton United, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 4. Total: 52.
Ron Anderson (News sports sub-editor)
Karramomus, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Shepparton United, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 3. Total: 54.
Michael Van Dorsser (Cricket Shepparton figure)
Waaia, Mooroopna, Central Park-St Brendan’s, Shepparton United, Kyabram, Nagambie.
Last week: 3. Total: 55.