Umpires: P. Clough and A. Hallam.

Last time they met: Round 16, 2013. Noradjuha-Quantong 8.11 (59) d Natimuk United 4.4 (28).

NORADJUHA-QUANTONG will host Natimuk United on Saturday in what promises to be a hard-fought contest.

Occuppying the sixth and seventh ladder positions respectively, the Bombers and Rams each need a win to keep themselves within reach of a finals spot.

Both matches between the sides last season were tightly-contested affairs.

The Rams broke away in the second half of their round seven meeting to win by 21 points, but the Bombers responded in round 16 with a 31-point victory.

Both coaches said they expected more of the same tomorrow.

Natimuk United coach Tim Friend said it was a must-win game.

“If we’re going to have any chance of playing finals, we’ve got to win our next three matches and then try to scrap one or two against the top five sides,” he said.

“I think we matched up against them well last year with a bit of size through the midfield, and missing coach Jarred Combe will be a big loss for them.

“We’re pretty evenly matched sides, so it will come down to who wants it more.”

Combe said the Bombers needed to be mentally prepared to fight until the final siren. 

“We see it as being a pretty even contest, and we know it’s going to be tight and tough against Natimuk,” he said.

“Both teams need to get the four points on the board, and I think we need a full four-quarter effort.

“In our games this season we’ve played good quarters and then slacked off, so we need to start building some consistency.”

The Bombers will need to find other avenues to goal if forward Brian Harrison is unable to play tomorrow.

Combe described him as a less than 50-50 proposition with a sore hamstring.

If Harrison is not selected, other players such as youngster McCallum Sanders and star recruit Heath Watson will need to make up the difference.

Natimuk United is also looking to give game time to youngsters such as Alex Ridsdale and Kym Wilkinson, who have impressed at under-17 level.