Ground: Dock Lake Reserve, Saturday, 2.20pm.
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Umpires: Wimmera Football League Umpires Group.
Last time they met: Round three, 2014. Natimuk United 15.11 (101) d Taylors Lake 7.14 (56).
FINALS are off the cards for Taylors Lake and Natimuk United, but the allure of being the ‘best of the rest’ is still strong for both clubs.
The Rams currently sit in sixth place on the ladder with five wins, and the Lakers sit seventh with four.
Both coaches said a win in Saturday's game would be a big result.“It’s a stepping stone when it comes to recruiting for next year,” Natimuk Untied’s Tim Friend said.
“If you show you can play some good footy, it makes it easier to recruit good players.
“You also don’t want to throw all your hard work away just because you can’t play finals.”
Taylors Lake coach Deek Roberts said his team would be taking the game seriously as well.
“It’s massive for us, because it’s virtually for the place as best of the bottom pack,” he said.
“Finishing sixth is now realistically the best we can do, so that’s our aim now.”
Roberts said his side would be near full strength, with Dylan Carroll, Jimmy Stewart and Lachie Marks set to return.
He said Dean Harberger would also have more run in his legs after returning to the line-up at the weekend.
Natimuk United will keep getting experience into its younger players according to Friend.
Jedd Ombega is in line to play his second ever senior game, and Kym Wilkinson is also up for selection.
Alex Ridsdale should get another chance after impressing at the weekend.
Friend said his side needed to be wary of leading Taylors Lake performers such as Roberts, Pat Purcell, Jayson Thompson and Nathan Koenig.