Griffith Blacks will be looking to secure a finals berth when they host second-last side Tumut Bulls on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Blacks sit eight points ahead of fifth-placed Wagga City with two rounds to go and Griffith coach Craig Morriss believes the side needs to play their final two matches without a safety net.
"If we don't win both games we could be out of the top four altogether," Morriss said.
"It's essentially a grand final every week for Griffith."
A victory over the Bulls would ensure the Blacks finish in the top four after missing the mark last season.
But their opponents will be keen to spoil the occasion, with Tumut aiming to break a four match losing streak with a win over the Blacks.
Griffith will be boosted by the return of centre Tikiko Koroivoutu for the clash, with the Blacks' player returning to the side after sitting last round out to serve an automatic suspension.
READ MORE
Morriss said the game against Tumut is a great opportunity to make third place their own.
"Hopefully it will all come to plan and we can take them on and get a win," Morriss said.
"But it will be a hard game, Tumut have a massive pack of forwards and can roll up the field."
Griffith have shown strong form in recent weeks to keep themselves in the top four, with the side picking up four wins across their last five matches, including a 53-26 win against the league-leading Wagga Waratahs.
However, the side's 31-22 loss to Wagga Ag College two rounds ago stuttered the side's streak, all but cutting the side off from a chance of pushing into the top two.
The Blacks sit nine points behind the Aggies on the ladder and could mathematically overtake the side with a pair of bonus point victories, but Griffith would need Albury-Wodonga Steamers and CSU Reddies to claim big wins over the Aggies in the final two rounds.
The first-grade clash will get underway at 3:20pm at Exies Oval on Saturday.
***
While you're with us, did you know that you can now receive sporting updates straight to your inbox every Friday at 6am from The Area News? To make sure you're up to date with all the Griffith and MIA news you can sign up here.
