Top-four slot at stake
Showdown between form sides
FOURTH spot will be on the line when Eastern Park goes head-to-head with Lara tomorrow.
Both teams are fresh off wins and will set themselves for a final-like showdown that will give the winner the major boost towards a top-four finish.
Lara dismantled Victoria last week at home, and skipper Travis Kelly admitted the changes last week worked in their favour.
“We selected Leigh Butcher to skip, he has had the experience in the role in past years and that meant Anthony Briggs could slot back three for me,” Kelly said.
“He settled into that role well with less stress.”
Butcher went well and won the rink 33-15, Kelly added.
Both sides carry a bit of form into the match, and for Lara it will be about adapting to the grass greens at Eastern Park.
“We are ready for the challenge playing on grass,” Kelly said. “They are equally the best grass greens in Geelong, so good players should be able to perform.”
Bareena will hit the road to take on Sebastopol in Ballarat.
The top side lowered its colours last week against Eastern Park and skipper Brannon Shelton is hoping for a quick rebound.
“For a side that punches above its weight in this division and have done so since we reached this level, we are going to have times where we succumb to sides with more resources and stability amongst their rinks,” Shelton said, adding that his side was quick to move on.
Leading Bareena skipper Ben Wilding will miss the clash, giving Jackson Mahoney the opportunity to step into the role.
Ocean Grove will be keen to consolidate second spot when it takes on Webbcona at home. Queenscliff, at home, should be too strong for Buninyong when that match starts at 3.30pm on Saturday in a twilight fixture.
Victoria and Highton will clash on the Victoria St greens in the final match of Round 16.