GNFL round 14 preview: Rovers call for reinforcements in clash against league leaders

Rovers will try to build some form in the run-up to finals with a tough assignment against Brigades this weekend.

After being comfortably in third spot all season the Demons are now teetering on falling to fourth and will need to win one of their last three games to make sure they get into finals.

After a strong start to the season, injuries, COVID and general player unavailability have often left them starved on their full squad with multiple players doubling up from colts games.

It has seen a familiar pattern form in their play over that period — competitive for the first halves of games before tired legs began to show.

Over the weekend they battled hard in tough conditions but could not hit the scoreboard in a 28-point defeat.

Northampton are now level with them on points and with the Rams taking on the lowly Towns will need a win to stay in that fourth position.

Coach Ian Comben is aware of the dogfight they now find themselves in.

“It’s a pretty important game for us, we’ve gone from looking pretty comfortable to now be teetering with the possibility of falling out of finals,” he said.

“We’ve played good in patches but just haven’t been able to sustain that for long enough.”

Comben does however believe they have turned a corner with their availability issues and is hopeful of having close to a full-strength squad this weekend.

“I think we’ll make a good account of ourselves this weekend and with a few players back I’m confident we can take the challenge to them,” he said.

“I do hope to see a few more boys down at training as that will definitely help us.”

Brigades have looked the best team in the competition since the bye, with Railways faltering, to take the top spot in the league.

With Railways having a bye it’s a great opportunity for them to go a game clear at the top and will be confident after their win over the charging Chapman Valley.

Last time these sides met a first-quarter blitz was enough for the Hawks to take victory, but the Rovers fought back hard in that match and if they can just get a four-quarter effort from their squad it should be a close game.

Chapman Valley have their season on the line against Mullewa. Sitting a game and over 30 per cent outside the four the Royals will probably have to win all their remaining games to get there.

But they will go in as favourites this weekend and should they win it will set up a tantalising clash against the Rams the following week.

Rams have the toughest draw out of three teams battling for finals and will want to stick the boot in against Towns on Saturday to give themselves every advantage.