Play your cards right and you’re just two matches away from raising the premiership cup – that’s the situation facing Wangaratta Rovers this Saturday at the Showgrounds.
The minor premiers sat on the sidelines during the opening round of finals, assured a ticket to the second week of proceedings, but now they’re back in action against Myrtleford.
It’s an illustrious prize awaiting the winner of Saturday’s match, nothing less than a spot on the biggest stage in country footy – the Ovens and Murray grand final.
Rovers football operations manager Barry Sullivan said the team was eager to return to competition, with a golden ticket dangling in front of them.
“It was a good opportunity for the boys to freshen up, and it was also an opportunity for some boys on the injury list like Stu Booth and Lockey McCartney to get some extra rehab in, they’re coming along well,” he said.
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“The most important thing is for them to prepare themselves as well as they can to play finals footy.
“We played four finals last year including a big loss to Yarra and how we responded to that, but the guys know there’s a bit more expectation this year than there probably was last year, and we’ve got to be able to deal with that.
“You just focus on the next game, and you’re always trying to put your best foot forward.
“You want to be playing well at this end of the year, especially with a full list to choose from – everyone wants to do well this weekend, win, and also maintain a high level of performance from each individual.”
The Saints are wily customers, which the Rovers found out on King’s Birthday weekend when Myrtleford handed the reigning premiers a 44-point loss.
While the Rovers returned the favour back in round 17, Myrtleford’s form has been impressive, including recent gritty wins against fellow finalists Lavington and North Albury.
“I think it’s great to see Myrtleford at the pointy end of the season, Craig [Millar, Myrtleford coach] has got them up and about,” Sullivan said.
“It’s not just been the last month, it’s been a few months where they’ve been playing some really good footy.
“We were fortunate enough to get them at home, but they’ll be really stiff competition on Saturday.
“They’ll have done their homework based on the last match we had, Craig is a good coach like Sam [Murray, Rovers coach] is, they’ll be looking at their structures and the best match-ups, and how to negate their forward thrusts and capitalise on our offence as well.”
The Rovers and Saints meet on the neutral ground of the Wangaratta Showgrounds on Saturday, with the winner through to the 2025 O&M grand final.
Elsewhere, the showground’s regular tenants, Wangaratta Magpies, are in action on Sunday at Albury Sportsground against a dangerous Lavington outfit in senior footy.
The Panthers have triumphed in both of their previous encounters with Wangaratta, but with their season hanging by a thread, the ‘Pies will be eager to respond, hit hard and strike early.
Lavington will be eager to put a narrow loss last weekend behind them, and continue their stranglehold of the Magpies.
The winner will progress to next week’s preliminary final, set to face either Rovers or Saints, while for the loser, it’s season over.
Senior matches begin from 2pm on both days.
Locals in action
Saturday, 6 September, Wangaratta Showgrounds
Thirds football – Wangaratta Rovers vs Wangaratta, 9.30am
17 & under netball – Wodonga Raiders vs Wangaratta Rovers, 10am
C grade netball – Myrtleford vs Wangaratta, 11.30am
Reserve football – Lavington vs Wangaratta Rovers, 11.45am
Senior football – Wangaratta Rovers vs Myrtleford, 2pm
B grade netball – Wangaratta vs Yarrawonga, 2.30pm
Sunday, 7 September, Albury Sportsground
17 & under netball – Myrtleford vs Wangaratta, 10am
C grade netball – Wangaratta Rovers vs Wodonga Raiders, 11.20am
Senior football – Lavington vs Wangaratta, 2pm
OAK FM Player of the Year
Winner was Tim Broomhead (North Albury) with 35 votes.
Sam Murray and Lochie O'Brien topped the vote-getters at the Rovers with 22 votes each, while Jackson Clarke (23 votes) and Alex Federico (22 votes) were the leading vote-getters at Magpies.
