After battling through a tough opening month to the season ― The Road have hit their groove in recent weeks ― reeling off four consecutive wins, including a stunning upset triumph over Tongala last weekend, to catapult themselves into sixth spot.
Numurkah on the other hand has crashed back down to Earth after a bright start to the season ― with three straight losses, which included a 155-point belting at the hands of Cobram in round seven ― having them fall out of the top six with a lowly percentage of 80.48.
But, while the past three weeks haven’t gone to plan for the Blues, coach Sean Harrap believed a change of fortune was right around the corner as they gear up for a critical clash at Congupna Recreation Reserve.
“We are really looking forward to this challenge, Congupna are obviously in some pretty good form after beating Tonny last week and have been in some pretty good form over the past month,” Harrap said.
“We’ve been a bit up and down with our form as of late, over the last couple of weeks we have been trying to find that consistent effort over four quarters and, last week, even though we lost, I thought we were much better against Mulwala.
“Overall I think we are tracking better than say a fortnight ago, so hopefully that crucial win is just around the corner.”
The second meeting between the two teams this season, a slow start would cost Numurkah in its round one contest with The Road, coughing up the first seven goals to fall by 35 points at the showgrounds.
Harrap said his team took a lot out of that experience and would be better placed to combat Congupna’s strengths this time around.
“We took a fair bit from that game, you walk away having won the last three quarters, so it is pleasing to know that we can fight back and compete with them for long periods,” he said.
“Even though the game was a couple of months ago now, we will look back at the areas we thought we lost the match and are confident we can rectify them in what is a crucial match.
“The big thing for us will be executing our skills and bringing high pressure for a sustained period of time, if we can do that we’ll give ourselves a chance.”
The Blues are set to be bolstered by some big inclusions for this pivotal clash, with Nathan Hicks, Josh Evans and Rhys Cason on track to return from injury.
Around the grounds, Tongala will be desperate to bounce back from a pair of losses as it makes the trip to Nathalia to take on the five-time reigning premier.
Currently sitting in fourth spot, a loss at the weekend would put the Blues’ hopes of a top-two finish in serious jeopardy.
Mulwala will be eyeing off a 10th straight wins as it welcomes a struggling Rumbalara to Lonsdale Oval.
Cross-river rivals Barooga and Cobram meet for the second time this season, with the Tigers crossing the border keen to continue their scintillating run of form.
Deniliquin will be eyeing a much-needed return to the winners’ list at it makes the trip to Finley to take on the Cats.
While Echuca United and Moama collide in a battle of the twin towns, with the Magpies keen to solidify their position in third spot on the table.
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