It is shaping up to be another enthralling weekend of Picola District Football League action, with a Strathmerton and Katamatite showdown set to entertain.
The third-versus-fifth clash at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve could go either way, however, with the Tigers currently in the middle of an injury crisis, the Bulldogs will be in the box seat to take it out.
Strathmerton picked up an impressive 80-point win over Picola United last weekend and has gone on an eye-catching run up the table, while Katamatite was humbled by Waaia.
Bulldogs coach Tim Bramich said it had been an up-and-down start to the season for the side.
“Probably the last two or three weeks we’ve been getting back to playing our best footy, so hopefully we do that again on Saturday,” Bramich said.
“They (Katamatite) are always a tough opponent, so it’ll be a pretty good game, I think last year’s was close for most of the game, so it should be good.
“It’s just another week, hopefully we can do what we’ve got to do.”
Bramich said the Bulldogs would be looking to spread the load this weekend, with the side struggling to do that earlier this season.
For Katamatite, things are a little different, with 11 of the side’s starting 22 currently on the sidelines.
Coach Jedd Wright said injuries were the main cause of absence, with sickness also playing a role.
“It will be a pretty similar team to last week (on Saturday) and hopefully in the next couple of weeks we’ll start to get some players back,” Wright said.
Katamatite was without Wright last week, with Nichol Clurey, Luke Riordan, Sam Wright and Ben Bray among a raft of outs joining the coach on the sideline.
“At the moment we’re just hoping for an improved effort this week,” Wright said.
“I’m certainly not sitting around thinking it’s just because of injuries we’re getting smacked, you know we obviously need to improve across the board.”
The round 10 clash will not just be significant on the field for the Bulldogs, with co-coach Bramich at the helm for his 200th senior game.
Bramich, who first started coaching in 2011, not only coaches senior football, but runs Strathmerton’s Auskick and coaches the fifth football side.
Awarded a life membership of the club last year, Bramich said it was good to reach the milestone.
“More so being around the club for 200 games with a really good group,” Bramich said.
“I’ve had some blokes that have been there the whole time, so it’s just been good to spend time with good people, that’s how we put it.”
Wright also acknowledged the achievement, with Wright on the cusp of reaching 200 games himself.
“Anytime anyone gets to 200 games whether it’s playing or coaching it’s a really good effort,” Wright said.
“Two hundred games in any circumstance is a fantastic effort.”
Saturday’s game at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve will begin at 2.05pm.
In other round 10 games, Waaia will face a tricky away trip to Berrigan and Blighty will host Mathoura.
Jerilderie will welcome the league-leading Tungamah, Katunga will host Tocumwal and Rennie and Deniliquin Rovers will do battle at Memorial Park.
Katandra will have a week off.