Griffith Swans will return from the bye to take a tough road trip when they take on second-placed Mangoplah CUE on Saturday.
Coach Adrian Pavese is confident his side are in a good position heading into the clash.
“Going off the win against Tigers which hasn’t happened too often in the recent years is great for us,” he said.
“Any niggles we were able to take care of with the bye.
“We started this week with a strong training run, and everyone is ready to go.”
Pavese is happy with the run his side into the final and believes it will put his team in a good position heading into the business end of the season.
“It’s a really good draw,” he said.
“Mango, who knocked over Gullie, in Mango this week will be a good test and then Turvey Park at home.
“This tough finish the season should see us prepared for the finals.”
In the meeting between the two sides earlier in the year in Griffith saw the Goannas come away with a 31-point win over the Swans.
With a shot at a top three place not out of the question the Swans will be buoyed by the return of four key players.
“We should have Richard Malone, Daniel Peruzzi, Heath Northey and Jacob Conlan back after they missed the game against Wagga,” he said.
“We will be without Jack Rowston and Riley Irvin who have a pretty big school came coming up.
“But compared to this time last year when we were struggling with injuries we are in a much better position especially with reserves having four players coming back as well.”
The Swans will need to win their last two games and hope that the Crows lose to Coolamon this weekend as they have the bye in the final round.
When looking back at the stats from this time last year, the improvement from the Swans is clear, and Pavese believes the club is in a great position.
“We did some numbers to compare round 16 this year to last,” he said.
“We are 65 points better off in defence this year which is great for us.
“We also have three sides who are going to play in the finals series which hasn’t happened in over 10 years, so we are really well placed.”
We are 65 points better off in defence this year which is great for us.
- Coach Adrian Pavese
The game between the two sides will get underway a 2.10pm at Mangoplah Sportsground.
Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
