The 2022 Steeline Bendigo Bank Limestone Coast Football Association season is flying by and teams are bracing themselves for the final third of the home and away rounds.
But before then they will have to navigate their way through this weekend’s round 10 where teams will be hoping to carry some momentum into the bye.
Around the grounds the most competitive contest is likely to take place at MGA Park where Gambier Centrals host Blue Lake.
The senior men’s battle will be a tough one for the visitors as they enter the Lions den needing to regain some confidence having dropped behind fellow finals hopeful Naracoorte.
But the biggest challenge will arrive from their opposition Centrals, which is on a roll having just sealed top spot with victory away from home against International.
The likes of Jake Blackwell, Cam Saint and James Davey have all stepped up when called upon for sidelined coach Brodey Koop.
They should prove too strong for the Rangers outfit, but the senior women’s game could be a different story.
The lady Lions have been depleted in recent weeks due to injury and unavailability and are at risk of dropping out of the top four.
But there is still plenty of quality on the pitch with Olivia Gwilym and Kiah Connelly remaining dangerous prospects.
Blue Lake has a firm grip on second spot, but wants to get a string of wins together to make a charge towards the back end of the year.
The Rangers will be backing up one week after a hard fought draw with Apollo, but will be confident of success after a Aimee Brooks hat-trick put the Lions to the sword in their previous match-up.
Apollo has its sights set on McLaughlin Park and will look to make the road trip to Millicent a winner.
With the blue and white expected to score a comfortable win in the senior men’s match, all eyes will be on the women.
The pair sit third and fifth on the ladder, but the big difference is Apollo’s superior defence which has conceded 16 less goals in 2022.
James Stephenson’s team has played the better soccer throughout the season, but Millicent will be buoyed by the previous contest which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
International enjoys a second successive home fixture and its senior teams should be able to scoop up some wins come Sunday.
The black and blue women’s team is sailing along serenely and is yet to drop a game, enjoying an impressive goal difference of 36.
The biggest headache on the young Naracoorte team’s mind will be finding a way to slow Ella Doody, who is buzzing after a crazy five-goal haul against Centrals.
She also struck four times in the previous battle with Naracoorte, but the yellow and black will mainly be focused on the little wins much like Hayley Fulton’s kick into the back of the net in round 5.
Matt Bueti and the International men should face a tougher test from their Naracoorte counterparts, but will use the fixture as a chance to rediscover their pride.
The team was hurt from the 3-2 defeat to Centrals and they will come out swinging to assert their dominance early against a Naracoorte team which can make life difficult.
The Limestone Coast Football Association will hold a “State of the Game” dinner at The Commodore Motel on Saturday, August 6 from 6:30pm.
It will be a grand occasion with two guest speakers including Football SA chief executivee Michael Carter, who returns after visiting the region in May this year.
The other guest speaker is Limestone Coast LGA and Sporting Academy Coordinator Tony Elletson.
The highlight of the night will be the release of the Limestone Coast Football Association’s strategic plan, which will address the short term future of the sport in the region between 2023 to 2025
Tickets are $50 per person and a three-course meal is included.
