North Ballarat would be disappointed with its 67-point win drubbing at the hands of Williamstown, a side it had beaten only a month ago.
Now all the hard work in the second half of the year comes down to one game. Lose and it’s curtains.
But there's still time for redemption. The Roosters welcome back four of their AFL contingent; Daniel Pratt and Aaron Mullett in defence, Cruize Garlett through the middle and Aaron Black up forward.
Black could well prove the three-time reigning premiers' most important addition. Fresh from an impressive debut in the royal blue and white, he's sure to have plenty of confidence.
Having completed its final training session on Friday, North Ballarat will take solace in the fact it defeated the Bullants convincingly when the teams last met, and there could also be a psychological edge after claiming the past two Grand Finals against them.
Werribee has been one of the most improved sides in 2011, but its real test is now against Casey in a must-win clash.
Jamie Macmillan is back with the Kangaroos' season now over and will slot nicely into defence.
In attack Ben McKinley, Majak Daw and Ben Warren will be pivotal to the Tigers' chances, as will the in-form Ben Ross pumping the ball inside 50.
Only a fortnight ago the Tigers were humbled to the tune of 44-points in enemy territory, with Brendan Fevola booting six. The former Carlton forward has kicked 49 goals in his past seven matches, and with Robbie Tarrant ruled out through injury, Fev could will be a handful again.
Both matches will be televised live on ABC TV with kangaroos.com.au providing updates via its Facebook and Twitter pages, and full match reports following the games.
1st Semi Final
Casey Scorpions vs. Werribee Tigers (ABC TV)
Saturday 10th September
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 2:10 PM
Casey Scorpions
B: Bail Warnock Stockdale
HB: McDonald Mohr Lees
C: McGough Nicholson McNamara
HF: Bate Dunn J. Wall
F: Nicholls Fevola Gawn
R: Campbell Matthews Collins
Int: Bolton Davis Newton McShane Fitzpatrick Petropoulos Panozza Lindsay* Lawrence
Werribee Tigers
B: Ross Hartigan O'Dwyer
HB: Chisholm Wormald Harding
C: Urquhart Tuck Macmillan
HF: Mather Daw Martiniello
F: Warren McKinley Castello
R: Tighe Sharp Gleeson
Int: Still Prismall Ruggles* Rockefeller Sullivan Mangan Saker Dickson Laracy
2nd Semi Final
North Ballarat vs. Northern Bullants (ABC TV)
Sunday 11th September
TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne at 2:10 PM
North Ballarat
B: White Sharkey Lynch
HB: Mullett Tyler Pratt
C: Norris Sewell Couch
HF: Black George O'Brien*
F: Driscoll Darmody Micallef
R: Stephenson Garlett Peters
Int: Towers Evans Linke McKenzie Brayshaw Keeble Hughes Giampaolo Dare
Northern Bullants
B: Davies White Iacobucci
HB: Tuohy Bower Russell
C: Lucas Carrazzo Curnow
HF: Robinson Austin Waite
F: Saad Hampson McLean
R: Meese McCorkell Ellard
Int: Kerr O'Keefe Casboult Lincoln Marcon* A. Gianfagna Watson Bransgrove Arrowsmith Gale Lambert Dare Cachi
