Bendigo Bank Cats coach Leigh Tudor believes Saturday’s blockbuster against North Ballarat at Austar Arena will be the perfect test of the Cats’ top four credentials as they enter the run home to the finals.
With the Roosters tentatively placed in fourth position and needing a victory to secure the vital finals double chance, Tudor said the match loomed as one of the side’s toughest road assignments of the year.
“They are definitely (a tough assignment at home),” he said.
“The North Ballarat boys have been really good with their captain Shaune Moloney, who’s a strong leader, so we expect them to come out firing on the weekend.
“The intensity we showed last week was very good for four quarters, so that’s what we’ll be aiming for again.
“We will be looking to have a four-quarter effort, full of intensity and quality ball use.”
Tudor confirmed last night exciting rookie Liam Bedford would make his long-awaited return from a quad injury this week after spending eight weeks on the sidelines.
First year draftee Simon Hogan is also poised to return this week after missing last week’s victory over Coburg with a virus.
Tudor conceded midfielder Kane Tenace, who tore his hamstring last week, will miss at least two matches and would be lucky to return before the VFL finals in three week’s time.
Ryan Gamble and Jason Davenport both pulled up sore last week and will be given until the last minute to prove their fitness, but Tudor is confident both will be right by the weekend.“Jason’s fine from the knock (sustained in the first quarter), he pulled up a bit sore after it, but he should be right,” he said.
The Roosters have emerged as formidable opposition this year, displaying a consistent and exciting brand of football that has at times been irresistible.
After enduring a patch of rough form and consequently slumping outside the eight after round nine, they have surged into the top four after six wins from their last seven matches.
Tom Roach and Michael Searl have formed the backbone of the side’s dominance this season, while Rob Gregg has caused headaches up forward with 35 goals.
The Roosters, who are the third highest scoring side in the competition, boast an abundance of attacking options, with nine players having kicked 10 or more goals this season.
In what has been the Cats’ most dynamic attribute this season, the match pits two of the most freewheeling and attacking VFL sides head to head.
The Cats epitomise the blueprint of a perfect football team.
They are the undisputed kings of attacking football and rank number one for attack (avg. 115 points for), while they also rank number one as the most miserly defence (avg. 80 points against).
When the two sides last met, the Cats cruised to a comfortable 60-point victory at Skilled Stadium in round four this season. Todd Grima kicked five goals and Kane Tenace was best on ground.
The two sides are playing for the United Way Cup.
The action gets underway from 1.10pm. The match will be televised live into Victoria on ABC TV from 1pm.
