Turf tweaks as teams tilt to top table

IN A replica of the Premier division match of the round, top two sides and Division 1 benchmarks will go head-tohead on the turf at Drysdale.

City of Geelong, undefeated to date, takes on second-placed Drysdale after it conceded its first loss of the year to Torquay last week.

City of Geelong stalwart Craig Elliott said his side was ready.

“It will be a great challenge for us to play a very good team on their surface and especially since they are coming off a loss makes them more hungry and determined to bounce back,” Elliott said.

City of Geelong will go into the match with the same players but a couple of minor tweaks have been made to the rinks.

“We have a great opportunity to set up a decent buffer at the head of the table, it will take a concerted effort and focus from all 16 players to achieve the win,” Elliott said.

Drysdale coach Cal Inderberg said the game was crucial in the context of the season after last week’s disappointing loss to Torquay.

“It’s all about pressure at the front end, when they are on it’s a massive advantage for us,” he said.

“We are striving to improve each week and last week we were disappointed with how we went about it.

“I hope that adds fuel this week and makes us more dangerous.”

The rink draw may play an important part in the match, Elliott and Inderberg former teammates pitted against each other would sure be one to watch.

Bell Post Hill stood up when it mattered most last week when it was undermanned in its battle with Highton 2.

Registering its third win of the Division 1 competition, Ian Price said it was a big result for his club last week.

“It was great to get the win, we are still short of two players but most are back in this week, home green against Geelong Cement will give us the confidence we can get the win”.

Its opponent comes off a loss at home against Ocean Grove 2 and skipper Glenn Slattery said this week could be season defining for his side.

“If we win we can take huge confidence from an away win, if we lose than all of a sudden we are back in the relegation zone so everything is on the line for us,” Slattery said.

While the division’s top four sides go head-to-head this week, the win in this match so important.

Third-placed Ocean Grove opens the doors to Torquay, while Belmont takes on Leopold.

St Leonards will need to find its form very quickly and should be able to get the majority of the points against Highton 2.