For the first time in more than two years Tongala is vulnerable and Congupna is now looking to take advantage.
The Road are one of the hottest teams in Murray Football League at the moment, reeling off three straight victories to catapult themselves into the top six.
But with those past three wins coming against lowly Rumbalara, Echuca United and Barooga, Congupna is still chasing that valuable top six scalp to announce itself as a genuine contender.
Facing a Blues outfit coming off its first loss since the 2019 grand final, Congupna coach Kevin O’Donoghue said his team was excited about the challenge.
“We come into this clash with a bit of confidence after a few good wins, but in saying that, we understand that this week we come up against a very good Tongala side desperate to bounce back,” O’Donoghue said.
“It certainly won’t be easy, but if we play our best footy for long enough I definitely think we are a chance.”
The second meeting between the two teams this season, Congupna was gallant in its round four loss to the Blues, challenging them from start-to-finish to fall by 23 points.
O’Donoghue said it take a lot of confidence out of that performance, but also understands it will be a much tougher proposition on the road.
“We took a lot out of that game (in round four) because it showed we were able to compete with and match one of the best sides in the competition for a long period,” he said.
“Being able to sustain the level for the whole four quarters was probably where they got us in the end, with the bigger bodies of the Tongala boys really coming to the fore.
“Although it will be a lot harder this time around being away, we come into this game with no fear.”
While a lot can change between now and Saturday with the constant threat of illness wreaking havoc on the league, The Road will come into this game at full strength, with the ever-reliable Lachie Sidebottom set to return.
With the race for sixth spot beginning to heat up, O’Donoghue said a win this weekend would be critical for The Road’s season.
“This weekend is really important for us and if we were to win it’d just give the team a lot more confidence in believing they are top contender,” he said.
“So far this season we have competed well against the top sides, but have been unable to get across the lines, so this serves as a great opportunity for us.”
Around the grounds, Cobram will be looking to take down another of the league’s top contenders as it makes the trip to Deniliquin for a heavyweight bout with the fifth-placed Rams.
After a disappointing fortnight, the task doesn’t get any easier for Numurkah as it welcomes an undefeated Mulwala to the showgrounds.
Echuca United will sense an opportunity to lift itself off the bottom of the table as it faces 10th-placed Finley on its Echuca South Recreation Reserve home deck.
Moama will be hoping for a nice percentage boost as it faces a winless Rumbalara.
While Barooga rounds out the weekend’s action with an intriguing clash against struggling five-time reigning premier Nathalia.