With a crucial round eight contest ahead this weekend, Girgarre coach Damian Cupido is hopeful his side has fixed its consistency issues.
The Roos have quietly gone about things this Kyabram District League season and sit 10th on the ladder before Saturday’s cut-throat contest against fifth-placed Stanhope.
But the Roos’ ladder positioning does their on-field performances no justice.
That is because Cupido’s outfit has taken the fight right up to top-four teams Lancaster (27 points), Shepparton East (38), Murchison-Toolamba (20) and Avenel this campaign.
However, brief lapses during each respective contest have hurt the Roos.
It is an area that Cupido, a former AFL talent, is hopeful his side can rectify ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stanhope.
“It has been a frustrating start to the season because we have played good footy in patches, but the gap between our best and worst footy is far too big at the moment,” Cupido said.
“We have been able to play well against your Avenels, Shepparton Easts and Murchisons, but only for a couple of quarters before dropping off.
“It’s been a bit of a pattern for us. We know we have got to try and minimise the gap.
“And that just comes down to consistency and having the right mindset on the training track and on game day.’’
The Roos have been building and bolstering their roster in recent weeks.
Girgarre has welcomed young gun Petros Politis, who represented the Northern Territory last month against Tasmania.
Politis has bolstered an on-ball brigade that already boasts star midfielder Jarrod Kellock.
Rex Taylor and Talbot Varcoe have starred along with classy defender Corey Wanganeen.
And Cupido will need those talents, along with the entire squad, to stand up on Saturday against a quality Stanhope outfit.
“I saw Stanhope play Violet Town a few weeks back and I was impressed with their performance,” Cupido said.
“They were clinical and dominant in the midfield and they played some good footy. But we go over there with plenty of belief because we know if we play consistent and adhere to the team structure it will put us in a strong position.”
Meanwhile, Lancaster is preparing for an important clash against Murchison-Toolamba.
The contest has the Wombats (fourth) playing at home to the third-ranked Grasshoppers.
“It’s important to keep it up now, we can’t just drop away next week,” Lancaster playing coach Tom Davies said after last week’s win over Merrigum.
“We know the competition is really tight and we need to be in the top four.
“We’ve got Murch next week and they have been a tough side to read this year.
“They dropped one game, but other than that they’ve been very good and we’ll definitely find out where we are at. That’s one thing you look forward to when you take on the best sides, you get to challenge yourself and find out where you are at.”
Nagambie is at home to Undera, Merrigum welcomes Tallygaroopna and Shepparton East takes on Rushworth at Central Park.
Dookie United takes on Violet Town in another must-win game for the Thunder.
Lastly, Avenel plays host to Longwood in the sole Sunday fixture.