Thomson aims high
Battle for positions goes down to wire
THOMSON coach Adam Bliss is adamant there is plenty to play for in the final round of the GCA2 season with positions inside the top six far from locked away.
While the Tigers are assured of a finals berth, where they sit inside the six remains up in the air.
Bliss said it was crucial Thomson finished the season as high as possible. Achieving that starts with victory over Highton at home tomorrow.
“Who knows next week in finals?” he said
“We have seen in previous years that weather can come into play and your standing on the ladder determines (your finals future)
“I think it makes for competitive cricket.
“If all sides knew where they were finishing it wouldn’t make for an interesting final round . . . there are places up for grabs and that’s exciting.”
Highton sits second on the GCA2 ladder and cannot overtake table-topping Bell Park.
Bliss said the Heat’s depth with the bat had made it a very tough side to beat.
“They are a quality side, really strong side. They are a strong club all around, well drilled, well run and we think a lot of them,” he said.
“We like playing against good sides and it’s the perfect warm up for finals.
“Playing against a high quality side the round before finals is the perfect warm up.
“It’s going to bring a finalstype atmosphere.
“They have some quality batsmen. They are very even and they often have contributors.
Footscray Edgewater v Geelong
Geelong City v Murgheboluc; Lara v St Joseph’s; East Belmont v Leopold; Newtown & Chilwell v Bell Post Hill; St Peter’s v North Geelong; Grovedale v South Barwon
Thomson v Highton; Modewarre v Newcomb & District; Alexander Thomson v Geelong West; Bell Park v St Albans Breakwater; Marshall v Torquay; Guild-Saints v Manifold Heights
Waurn Ponds-Deakin v Bannockburn; Inverleigh v Teesdale; Lethbridge v Corio; Little River v Winchelsea
Jan Juc v Barrabool; Queenscliff v Collendina; Ocean Grove v Portarlington; Drysdale v Anglesea
“You may have them three or four down and a player like (Jacob) Smith comes in and that keeps you on your toes.”
Thomson is likely to go into the match unchanged following a comfortable victory over Guild Saints last week.
Bliss said his side’s ability to spread the load with the ball — shown in the win over Guild — made it a tough side to bat against.
“We took 18 wickets, and pretty much everyone took a wicket or a couple of wickets (against Guild),” he said.
“We don’t rely on any one bowler to get our wickets.
“None of our bowlers are wicket machines and if it’s someone’s day to be on the right end of a few wickets then so be it.
“We like to share the load so there is less reliance on one person to do it all.”