The Murrumbateman Eagles will go head-to-head with the team that knocked them out at the Grand Final last year, the Molonglo Juggernauts, at Murrumbateman on Saturday.
They’ll then face Woden, then Coota Blues before heading into finals.
Brent Lello, President of the Eagles, said this was the team to beat.
“It was a big game. Each time we play, there’s a friendly competitive rivalry that goes on between our two clubs. We are absolutely looking forward to the challenge. We are really looking to make sure that we solidify a place towards the top end of the ladder and give ourselves the best chance as we go into the finals.
“In recent weeks, it’s been difficult, because the grounds have been closed, and we’ve taken the opportunity and with the support of some local Murrumbateman community businesses we were able to participate in the gym and do those sorts of sessions, but ultimately we haven’t been able to, just like other teams within ACT and within New South Wales region and Yass region, have not been able to train that many nights in the last month, so it makes it a bit difficult.
“Training this week is about getting us back on track, getting us a level set. We’ve missed out on two fundamental training days and a day of footy in the last week, so it is hard to get them back on top of the game.
“We have learnt the hard way not to be too optimistic. It’s a cliché, but this is a week at a time. We are on the top of the ladder presently, but there is only two games difference between us and fifth, so if that can change, if we drop our guard in any game and the other teams are good enough to capitalise, it won’t be good. We’re concentrating on giving ourselves the best position as we head into the finals to make the best finals campaign. Now, if that’s a minor premiership, then that’s one thing, but that’s not what we’re looking at. We’re making sure that we’re getting the right team hitting the ground at the right time with the right speed to give us the best chance.
“There’s a rivalry whenever you have two teams that play in the grand final in previous years; I think you’re going to have a natural course or a rivalry in the following season.
“We are friendly rivals, but we would say that we’re friendly rivals with every other team, so it’s no different, and we know that in the long run they will bring their competitive edge, and we look to round it out with ours.”
The Eagles play the Juggernauts at Murrumbateman Park on July 11 at 2:00 pm.
Jack Murray
