Orbost Snowy Rovers will head into the final phase of the East Gippsland Football Netball League competition dangerously placed in fifth position with plenty of work to do if they are to play finals in 2024.
The Blues finished fourth on the ladder in 2023, before bowing out to Stratford in the elimination final at Bairnsdale City Oval.
Orbost currently sits in fifth spot on 24 points after 11 rounds, eight points behind Stratford and 12 points ajar of Wy Yung, Lucknow and Boisdale Briagolong, with a significantly inferior percentage to the four sides above it.
The Blues would have benefitted from the rest the competition bye presented last week, with several key players missing from their 68-point defeat by Wy Yung in round 11.
Orbost will be hoping to welcome back players of the calibre of Ash Jonkers, Jordan Ross, Wes Russell, Clancy Bennett, Tommy Smith and Henry Vine.
Quality players like that missing would challenge the depth of most sides in the competition.
With six rounds remaining the Blues may need to win all six to ensure finals action, though five may well be enough, four unlikely with a low percentage, but even that isn’t forlorn.
Orbost will begin its quest with an away game against Paynesville, doing battle with former player now coach of Paynesville, Darren Vickery.
The Blues will go in as warm favourites and should get over the Gulls who have been playing catch-up since being depleted by injury and unavailability early in the season.
Paynesville’s best would test the Blues, but that hasn’t been seen for some time.
Orbost Snowy will then face games against Boisdale Briagolong (home), Lindenow (away), Stratford (home), Lakes Entrance (away) and Lucknow (home).
At this stage of the season, the only side the Blues have been able to conquer that is above them is Boisdale Briagolong, eclipsing the Bombers in a thrilling on the siren victory in round six, so coach Peter Seal and his troops will fancy their chances at home.
Stratford at home also looks a winnable game, though they did humble the Blues on the road early on in the season on the bigger ground.
In reality it could come down to final round, a showdown against Lucknow at Lochiel Park, but there’s plenty of water to go under the bridge before that match up whets the appetite.
IMAGE: Tom Smith will likely return to the Orbost Snowy Rovers line up this Saturday when the Blues take on Paynesville at AJ Freeman Reserve in round 12 of East Gippsland football. Every remaining game is must-win for the Blues if they are to guarantee a finals berth.
