KDL | Avenel and Eagles prepare for top-of-the-table clash

Both outfits enter the clash without a blemish to their name from eight rounds of action and whoever walks away on top is sure to be most pundits’ premiership favourite.

The top-of-the-table clash is arguably the biggest contest this season to date and all eyes will be on the round nine encounter.

Avenel playing coach Kasey Duncan said his group was excited about the challenge that lay ahead this weekend.

“It’s definitely a game we’ve been looking forward to for some time now,” Duncan said.

“They look like the benchmark team in the comp and you always want to test yourself against the best. This is the reason why you play, you want to play in these big games and I know all the boys are excited to give it our best crack.

“It’s going to be good fun.”

Duncan’s Shepparton East counterpart Rob Osborne agreed with that sentiment.

“The boys are freshened up after the bye and are looking forward to the challenge this weekend,” Osborne said.

“This is one of the biggest tests of the season for us. Two undefeated sides going at it after eight rounds, it certainly is a big game.

“Avenel are one of the best teams in the comp and they have been for a number of years now. They’ve earned that respect; they’ve been the benchmark for a while and we want to test ourselves.”

Shepparton East enters the clash off a 211-point drubbing of Rushworth in round eight.

Ryan Pfeiffer booted 10 majors, while on-baller Adam Fichera was a standout.

Justin Davies has been valuable for the Eagles, with the ex-AFL talent and former Shepparton East junior providing plenty of experience.

The Eagles, led superbly by their playing coach, have a truckload of Goulburn Valley League wisdom littered through the ranks.

The ladder-leaders can lean on the wealth of experience of Dwain Vidler, Matt Rendina, Tom Campbell and Brendan Scott.

Duncan highlighted the midfield battle as the key area in the contest and he backed in his on-ball brigade of Kyle Maynard, Tim Brook, Jack Myers and Braydon Avola.

“From all reports they are a well-drilled team. It’s a tough one because we’ve been relying on what other teams and other people are saying (about them),” Duncan said.

“They run hard and run fast. We’ll need to make sure that we stick with them and that we work hard.

“The midfield battle is going to shape up who wins the game, I reckon, because both sides have strong defensive ends and whoever can get their hands on the ball first around the clearances will go a long way.

“Big Tom McCluskey is performing well for them and the battle between him and Hayden (Heta) will be a close one. But most importantly, we need to make sure that we stick to our game plan and play for each other.”

Duncan expects his outfit will enter this weekend at full strength.

The Swans have welcomed back key cogs in recent matches, most noticeably Heta and multiple best-and-fairest winner Nick Goodwin, who returned from a leg injury sustained in round one.

“We’ll have quite a few boys back in this week, which is great,” Duncan said.

“It’s going to make selection very hard and whoever misses out will be stiff, but this is what you strive for at club level — you want competition for spots. It’s a testament to the club and it’s a credit to the reserves boys as well.”

In the remaining fixtures, Lancaster will eye off jumping back inside the competition’s top four when it travels to Stanhope.

The Wombats occupy fifth spot on the ladder and Stanhope is a game clear in fourth, but a loss could potentially have Tom Davies’ side slide to seventh.

The two sides below Lancaster on percentage, Violet Town and Merrigum, will fancy their chances against Rushworth and Longwood respectively.

Murchison-Toolamba will look to strengthen its spot with an away match to Tallygaroopna, while Dookie United is out to keep its season alive against Undera.

Girgarre is at home to Nagambie in another crucial contest between two sides aiming to sneak into finals.