With six rounds to go in the Gippsland League, Bairnsdale is in a brutal fight for a finals berth.
The Redlegs have already won six games this season, surpassing last year’s effort of five, but will probably need to win 10 in total if they are to sure up a finals berth.
Despite losing four games this season by 10 points or less, Bairnsdale is well and truly in the hunt.
Bairnsdale currently sits in sixth place on ladder, on equal points with the seventh-ranked Wonthaggi, who have emerged from the lower pack in recent weeks.
The Redlegs are two games behind third placed Moe, one game ajar of fourth Sale, and half a game behind Morwell, who currently occupy fifth.
In the next six weeks the Redlegs will play Maffra (away), Moe (home), Warragul (home), Wonthaggi (away), Leongatha (home) and Sale (away).
Bairnsdale football manager Greg McCarrey expects Maffra to be a worthy opponent.
“There are no easy games in the competition, they (Maffra) have found some form in recent weeks and we haven’t won down there for years,” McCarrey said.
After a torrid match at Drouin 10 days ago, where the Redlegs escaped with a narrow victory, it’s been a quiet time on the training track for the Redlegs.
“The conditions at Drouin were horrendous, the bye couldn’t have come at a better time, the boys had a week away from the club doing other activities,” McCarrey said.
Bairnsdale coach, Logan Austin, expects a close and competitive game, with both sides close to full strength.
“It’s a must-win game for us. With no Gippsland Power they will have close to their best team and with Xavier (Richards) coming in, we will be close to our best,” Austin said.
Richards is likely to replace Matt Corbett, who has found some decent form in recent weeks, but copped a heavy knock against Drouin, and will miss for precautionary reasons.
The Redlegs erred on the side of caution with Richards, resisting the temptation to play him in the bog at Drouin.
“We kept him back, he will be a welcome addition to our forward set up. If we play our best football, we should be able to beat Maffra,” Austin said.
IMAGE: Bairnsdale ball magnet Will Mitchell has had an outstanding season for the Redlegs as they push towards a Gippsland League finals berth. Mitchell leads the league in contested possessions, is second for clearances, third for disposals and eighth for tackles. Bairnsdale takes on Maffra at Maffra this weekend with both sides effectively at full strength.
