The tenth round of Horsham District action for 2021 promises to be yet another exciting batch of games.
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However all eyes will be on the clash at Harrow between premiership hopefuls Harrow-Balmoral and Kalkee.
The game is a "must win" for the Southern Roos, according to coach Nick Pekin.
"We've been eyeing off this game against Kalkee for a good while," he said.
"We've been trying to work and build towards it, knowing that they're sitting third and we're sitting fifth.
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"For us, as a group, we're treating this as a must win game... it's been on the cards for a little while."
It is a game that will be won in the midfield, Pekin said, adding that Kalkee had a lot of talent with their running ability.
"They've got a pretty good midfield... the likes of Simon Hobbs, he's a standout player and then you throw in Deek Roberts along with those guys... whoever gets the most clearances will win the day."
"We'll match it with them no doubt. That's where the game will be won and lost, and then it'll be whoever has their kicking boots on that day,"
Harrow-Balmoral will be bolstered by four possible changes.
It'll be whoever has their kicking boots on that day.
- Nick Pekin
Depending on fitness, Will Burbury, James Staude, Ed Ferguson and Scott Heath may all be available to return for the Southern Roos.
"They add a fair bit... Jimmy Staude up at full-forward will just straighten things right out. Will Burberry will add that extra bit of midfield depth, and allow us to be able to rotate a bit heavier and be fresh for the last quarter."
Pekin said the availability of returning players was causing headaches to team selection, however it is a problem many clubs would love to have.
Elsewhere, the Rams will have their mettle tested, and their finals aspirations put under the microscope, when they host Swifts.
The Swifts may have arrested a brief form slump with a 102-point win over the Saints, but they will face a challenge at Natimuk.
Ladder-leaders Noradjuha-Quantong will be looking to avoid an upset of epic proportions when the Tigers pay them a visit.
The Tigers will be pushing to continue the improvement the side has shown over the last few rounds, and hold off a Bombers team that has discovered its scoring power.
The Cougars will be searching for their first win under new coaches Dylan Collis and Beau Harris, as Taylors Lake make the trek west to Kaniva.
The Lakers will hope to replicate the form that helped them get their maiden win of the season over Pimpinio in round eight, and will be eager to redeem themselves after a 100-point thumping from the Bombers in round nine.
"We've been eyeing off this game against Kalkee for a good while."
- Nick Pekin
The Mountain Men will be fish out of water at Rainbow, where the red-hot Storm will be on a quest to sure up a finals spot and continue their momentum into the last half of the season.
In the netball, Noradjuha-Quantong will press on with the momentum from their win over fellow flag contenders Kaniva-Leeor in round eight when they host the Tigers.
Meanwhile the Storm face their toughest assignment yet when the rampaging, undefeated Demons head north to face them.
Natimuk host the Swifts in what could be a season defining game for both sides, while the Panthers travel to Edenhope to taken on the Saints.
Lastly, but certainly not least, Harrow-Balmoral will seek to reassert themselves after their round nine loss to Laharum, when they host the Kees, who are still fighting for a spot in the finals.
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