NORADJUHA-QUANTONG goes into Saturday’s clash against the Saints knowing a loss will severely dent its chances at a finals spot.
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The Bombers sit in seventh on 24 points, equal with Laharum and Rupanyup, two points behind Natimuk United in sixth spot.
With the Rams likely to get a win against Taylors Lake at the weekend, the Bombers will need to beat Edenhope-Apsley to stay in a pack of teams chasing finals. The Bombers will head into the game as underdogs with the Saints having recently beaten two top-six sides in the Rams and the Storm.
Edenhope-Apsley coach Chris Oliver said the Bombers were a tough side to match-up against.
“It should be a tough contest with them pushing for a finals spot, so we will have a fight on our hands,” he said.
“We don’t have any new injuries from the weekend and hoping to have a couple guys coming in, but we will have to wait and see.”
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Oliver said the Bombers play a high-pressure game.
“They play the inside ball really well and they hit the contest hard,” he said.
“I think we have to be first to the football and be cleaner around those stoppages. That’s all we can do really.
“The form we have been in the last couple of weeks has been really good. Fitness was a bit of an issue for us in the middle of the season but we are starting to iron that out now. If we can keep finishing off games well we should be good.”
Bombers coach Gareth Hose said every game from here on in was a big one.
“It’s another mini final for us if we want to keep fighting for that sixth position,” he said. “We have to win basically and if we don’t it becomes harder and harder for us. We were disappointed after the loss to Rupanyup, just like we were when we lost to Jeparit-Rainbow by three points.
“We are learning and need to take our opportunities when they present. We need to play for a bit longer and more consistently.”
Hose said Edenhope-Apsley usually moves the ball around cleanly.
“Last time we played them we started off really well but they ran over us in the second half,” he said. “They are a good side when they get the ball in their hands. We need to try and limit that and apply a lot of pressure when they have the football.
“Hopefully we can win that football first and get the ball into our forward 50.”
The Bombers will be aided by the inclusion of tall forward Austin Smith.
“He will help us with our forward structure alongside Jordan Huff, and they haven’t played too many games together this season,” Hose said.
