Orbost Snowy Rovers will welcome an in-form Lakes Entrance to Lochiel Park this Saturday for a crucial East Gippsland Football Netball League fixture.
The Seagulls will make the trip in top form, having beaten Lucknow, Paynesville and Stratford in their last three matches.
They currently sit fifth on the ladder with four wins, their last three victims sitting directly below them.
Their only win over a side above them was their upset victory over premiership favourite, Boisdale Briagolong in round three.
Clashes between these two sides tend to be tough and rugged, arch rivals regardless of their ladder placing at the time.
Orbost Snowy Rovers have also been victorious on four occasions, occupying
fourth place on the ladder, trumping the Seagulls by percentage.
The Blues have also beaten three sides below them; Stratford, Paynesville and Lakes Entrance the first time round by 29 points.
Their big scalp was Lindenow by 26 points in round six.
Orbost will be looking to bounce back after a terrible performance last round against Wy Yung at Bullumwaal Road, and their biggest advantage will be returning to their home ground, where they are always a difficult proposition.
After a disappointing loss to Lucknow in round one, then have been impressive winners in three subsequent fixtures.
Lakes Entrance are set to be at close to full strength for the match that ultimately could decide fourth spot on the ladder.
Coach Darren Martin will be required to make some tough calls at selection.
“James Beha, Josh Wykes, Will Addison, Tom Hudson, Sam Brown, and Tarkyn Nicol should all be right after missing recent games, some players who have been playing well maybe stiff to miss out,” Martin said.
Orbost still have players like Jordan Ross, Wes Russell, Max Welsh, Bryon Vickery and Charlie Mein on the sidelines, with their interaction expected to be gradual in the back half of the season.
The biggest hurdle for the home side will be the dominant centre square combination of Wykes and ball magnet, Mitch Banner, who orchestrate many of the Seagulls’ forays forward.
For the Blues, the man who could intercept a lot of those inside 50’s, Curtley Nettleton, again looms as the player to stop, it will be interesting to see what plan Martin has for the new competition intercept marking king.
Expecting with Heyfield having the bye, former skipper Hamish Nettleton may line up for the Blues, his first game of senior football for the season.
With the Roos having a strong senior forward set up, led by coach Daniel Bedggood, Hamish has cooled his heels in the reserves, in handy form but with no injuries, he has been made to wait patiently.
It’s an intriguing clash which neither side can afford to lose, it should be close, with the side who wants it more likely to get the four points.
