In-form Parkers in for blockbuster battle

EASTERN Park coach Nathan Bush has labelled tomorrow’s blockbuster against Bareena as the biggest clash in his side’s recent history.

As we enter round 15 of the final season of the GeelongBallarat Premier Division, Eastern Park has, for the first time in the club’s history, found itself in the top four.

After collecting three rounds of match points over the past three weeks, the Parkers will battle the competition’s top side, Bareena.

“Last week’s win has provided a buzz around the club and also instilled a confidence in the playing group that we belong and we can be a contender,” Eastern Park coach Nathan Bush said.

Playing at Bareena is one of the toughest challenges on the competition calendar and it would take the Parkers’ best performance of the season to topple the ladder-leader.

“It’s clearly our biggest home-and-away game we have played in recent years,” Bush said.

“Bareena away is as tough as it gets, but our form suggests we have momentum and confidence which can continue.”

Bush himself will step on the green for the match of the round on the back of re-signing for three more years as the coach of the Parkers.

“It shows the club and I share the same vision of continuing to be a competitive and professional club,” he added.

While the challenger will bring form, Bareena cannot be questioned.

Leading the pack, Bareena skipper Brannon Shelton said his side was ready to step up a gear.

“We have a great preparation coming into the finals playing sides that are all contenders for the top four, so we definitely need to step up a gear to compete and it starts this week with Eastern Park,” Shelton said.

Queenscliff heads to Ballarat to take on Webbcona, which last week surprised the com- petition with a 22-shot win against Sebastopol.

Webbcona stalwart Wayne Pattie said the Sebastopol green played into his team’s hands.

“I think the green may have been a little slick for them,” Pattie said. “We were in a position where all the pressure was on them, not us.”

Pattie played second for Matt Blackburn and also said the highlight came as early as the third end when they were able to card the full count of eight.