OLD SCOTCH faces another test in East Coast after a strong display of local footy last week against Lilydale.
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With an ambulance bogged after the game, both sides helped the driver unstuck in what Scotch coach Brayley Coombes described as "country footy at its finest".
"As Col [Lockhart] said after the game, two sides pretty much going hammer and tong at it all day and to be able to gel together to do that and then get together for a beer afterwards, that's what footy should be," he said.
Describing this week as "another test going into finals", Coombes loses Lachie McFadzean (AC joint) and Aiden Jackman (hamstring).
East Coast has been one of only three sides to knock off the Thistles this year and come into the clash having won three of its past five games, losing to fellow top-five sides Lilydale and St Pats.
Ground condition and unavailability has forced the NTFA to cancel the Old Launcestonians and Lilydale clash this weekend.
The Examiner believes points will be split between the two sides, who sit first and third on the NTFA ladder.
With Invermay Park ruled out of action, the potential of playing on Lilydale's home ground was floated but unfortunately, the Demons' den was described as "underwater" and "destroyed" by Colin Lockhart.
Other grounds around the region including Prospect and Youngtown were also mentioned but unable to be used for various reasons.
"We were really looking forward to playing at Invermay Park, due to the fact that's where we believe the semi finals will be played and in the past we've played it very well - it's a fast deck, short and wide," Lockhart said.
Cleaver added: "It got to the point today where they called the game off unfortunately - so we won't be playing this weekend."
The cancellation marks a disrupted fortnight for the Blues, with four first-choice players stuck in isolation last weekend, who were all going to be available for the Lilydale game.
ST PATS leader Jake Lowe was happy with his side's work last week and is looking to take the momentum into its Perth clash.
Admitting the Saints "didn't see Perth's best" last time they played in a 93-point romping, Lowe isn't focusing on the past result.
"Leading up to finals, we need to make sure that we play some good footy and we are starting to get some players back on the park which is good.
"It's a game not that we are worried about but we are definitely going to take it very seriously and make sure we are on."
Perth coach Danny Bennett said his side was battered by injuries last week, left with only one rotation on the bench, but is hopeful of causing an upset.
"It's our last home game for the year so we are excited for that," he said.
"We've been talking about trying to knock off a top team and I guess this is our last opportunity.
"There's nothing to lose for us and we'll go out with a positive attitude and give it our best go."
MEANDER VALLEY managed to get its fourth win last weekend and gets rewarded this week with a trip to Bridport.
The Suns rocketed into seventh spot thanks to their "will to win" according to outgoing coach Damien Rhind.
"We are going in thinking that we've got a chance to take away some points from the weekend, we see it as an opportunity to get four points on the board," he said.
Both Rhind and Bridport coach Greg Latham admitted that their sides were struggling for numbers for various reasons, with the Seagulls looking forward to their last home game.
"I'm a bit anxious as to who we are going to have available still but it's the same old story, we put 22 out there and have a crack.
"We are certainly going to struggle with numbers again so we will give an opportunity to a younger bloke out of the reserves who has performed well."
EVANDALE will look to get its second victory of the year, taking on UTAS, the only side it has defeated this year.
The Eagles emerged 64-point victors the first time the pair met but have been unable to get another win on the board, coming within 16 points of Perth, who they face next week.
It's been another tough season at the helm for UTAS, yet to pick up a victory with its closest result being a 14-point loss to Meander Valley in round 11 after leading at half-time.
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
