The arrival of the new year means the return of the 2021/22 Hoggies Wines Barber Shield and the players will be back in the pyjamas this Saturday.
The one-day format also comes back to the front of minds as teams look to gain the high ground in what shapes up to be an exciting five-round run into finals.
Penola sits at the top of the tree with only one blemish in a near-perfect record.
The Eagles showed strong form winning the opening two one-day games of the season in convincing style where the top order went big with the bat.
The side led by Mark Smith boasts many match winners led by the captain’s high-scoring season, while his versatile bowling attack has conceded the least amount of runs so far.
Smith will eye success in this weekend’s home game against South Gambier – a side winless since round 2.
Some Demons bowlers may still be hurting from George Kidman’s match-winning ton when the rivals last faced off in a two-day fixture in round 4.
The last match up in the one-day arena also went the Eagles’ way where Smith was the only batter to find a way to a big score in bowler friendly conditions at McCorquindale Park.
With the game being played at the same venue and teams shaking off the festive season fun, expect the rematch to follow a similar trajectory.
East Gambier, West Gambier, Mil Lel and North Sportsman’s are locked in a fierce fight for a finals berth and a win this weekend would be more than welcome.
The Tigers will arrive at Malseed Park to face the Roos in a hungry frame of mind after an under-par start to their title defence.
North looked a shadow of its past success losing three of its first four games, but entered the Christmas break with an extra spring in its step after overcoming an inform Bulldogs outfit.
Captain Nick McInerney produced an inspirational all-round performance at the perfect time and will be one to watch leading a side renowned for stepping up in the second half of the season.
However, Roos’ skipper Richard Crute also has many reasons to be confident of success.
His team has been a consistent force in 2021/22, fighting hard week in week out to sit third on the ladder, but one win away from jumping towards the top.
West has also enjoyed strong recent success against the Tigers.
A Connor Prior century overwhelmed the yellow and black in round 4, while West humiliated North in the previous One-Day contest knocking over the eventual premiers for 42 thanks to Crute’s Scott Boland like figures of 4/5.
Form and conditions suggest the Roos start with their noses in front, but North cannot be discounted.
Before East Gambier travelled to Frew Park to meet Mil Lel in the penultimate round before Christmas, Alex Hentschke’s men were the bees’ knees of the competition.
The Bulldogs were on top after three important wins to open the season, but their assault was derailed by two special individual efforts from the home side, who were searching for their first victory in 708 days.
Josh Smith’s breathtaking century took the game away from East before Logan Gibbs’ special six-for finished the Dogs off.
The breakthrough win kickstarted Mil Lel’s surge into the top four which has been led by the batters.
Rampaging opener Will Rowland is the only man to break the 200-run barrier this summer and will look to blast the shine off the new ball from the opening over.
The opening spells of Mil Lel’s innings will be must-watch viewing with the best performing batter in the comp facing off against the leading wicket takers.
New-ball duo Hentschke and Liam Turley have been devastating taking 14 wickets each, two more than anyone else.
The battle between the pacey pair and Rowland could decide the contest.
Despite East’s disappointing entry into the Christmas break, the side will be confident of a return to form in its preferred format.
The Bulldogs were unbeatable in the three One-Day games to open the season, while Mil Lel did not record a single win in the coloured clothing.
East’s dominant attributes in the limited overs world may be enough to overwhelm the Jack Miller’s men.
