ST ARNAUD will continue its quest for a top-two finish when it visits finals hopeful Birchip-Watchem on Saturday.
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The third-placed Saints are locked on points with second-place Charlton, although the Navy Blues have an extra game in hand.
They will face a Bulls side desperate for a win to enhance their chances of playing finals just a year after being the league’s wooden spooner.
After losing four of their first five games, the Bulls have since won five of their past six – including a six-point win over the Saints in June – to hold fourth place over Boort on percentage alone.
The Saints will carry winning form into the clash after defeating the fifth-placed Magpies, while the Bulls will look to bounce back from a 106-point loss to league leader Wedderburn.
On-baller Caleb Bloomer is enjoying a successful second half of the season for the Saints, while forward Daniel Needs and Bradly Palipuaminni both struck form at the weekend.
For the Bulls, recruit Daniel Castellano has been in brilliant form with bags of three, eight and five goals in his past three matches, taking him to third on the league’s goal-kicking table with 45 majors.
Charlton will look for its third consecutive win when it visits Boort.
The Navy Blues have won their two games against the Magpies this season comfortably, by a combined 91 points.
However the hosts, who have lost five of their past seven matches, know their finals hopes are on the line.
Wycheproof-Narraport will aim for a stronger performance when it hosts Wedderburn.
The Redbacks enjoyed a thumping 167-point win over the Demons in their round-nine encounter, with Sam Barnes and Brady Herdman combining for 15 of the side’s 28 goals.
However, the Demons have since been much more competitive, with strong showings against St Arnaud, Charlton, Boort and Birchip-Watchem in the past month.