Hanwood FC will head to Cootamundra this weekend, looking to push their winning streak to nine games when they take on the Strikers on Sunday afternoon.
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Cootamundra finds themselves in the opposite position to the ladder leading Hanwood side as they are looking for their first win of the season.
Despite the circumstances on the ladder, Hanwood coach Brian Bertolin knows it could be a banana skin game if they don't go in with the right mentality.
"Coota haven't been travelling that well, but it is one of those games that if you don't go in with the right mindset, you can get your pants pulled down," he said.
"In a funny sort of away, the fact that we have got a few blokes out it probably throws a few challenges out to the group and some of the younger boys to maybe step up.
"I'm probably looking at Christopher Zappala this week to really step up in that midfield role and be looking for Daniel (Rogato) and Chaise (Donetto) to continue what they have been doing most weeks."
The task will be made more difficult with three key players missing through injury or suspension.
"We are a bit down on troops this weekend," he said.
"Joey (Schirripa) has got a little bit of a hamstring twinge which he is going to rest this week, Nicholas Zappala has a pretty nasty chest infection which was why he came off on the weekend, and Sevi Tropea has three yellow suspension, so I am down a few and ressies are a bit the same way."
The younger members of the side, like Zappala, Donetto and Rogato, have enjoyed a strong start to the season, but Bertolin knows they will need to be managed to avoid burnout.
"For them, with it being their first full season in first grade, it is about managing them a little bit," he said.
"There will be sometime during the year where they could get a bit flat because it is a bit more depending than some of the juniors, especially Chaise, who has only really ever played juniors.
"It just about managing them, but at this stage, they have really added some excitement to the group, and it has been good to have them."
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This weekend sees the Hanwood side facing a bit of the unknown with Cootamundra returning to the first grade competition this year, but Bertolin has nothing but respect for coach Mick Godbier.
"I had a bit to do with him in the juniors a few years ago," he said.
"From what I understand, he has some younger boys in there as well, and they only lost to Leeton 5-0 last week.
"That is a pretty good effort because Leeton is a good side."
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