The Group 20 finals series will get underway this weekend, and for the Leeton Greens first grade side, that will see them take on Darlington Point Colembally in the qualifying semi-final on Sunday at Leeton No 1 Oval.
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The Greens occupied the top spot on the first-grade ladder from round one until last weekend when the Black and Whites were able to pounce and take the minor premiership with a better for and against.
This does present the Leeton side with an opportunity because it would have been a fortnight in between games had they finished in first after they had the bye in the final round of the regular season.
"With having that bye in the last round two weeks off could have hurt going into finals," Leeton coach Hayden Philp said.
"We had a goal of top three anyway, so finishing second phases, any of the boys there are just a couple that are injured who will miss out this weekend."
The Greens will be without playmaker Shannon Bradbrook as well as Jayke Stevenson and James Fisher.
While these players have been first-grade regulars all season, Philp has confidence the club's depth will work in their favour.
Facing off with the Roosters on their home ground is a familiar feeling for the Greens as they were knocked out by the DPC side in the elimination final in 2019.
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Philp knows his side will be in for a tough test come Sunday afternoon.
"Point will be a challenge, but our goal is to get over the top and play some structured footy, and no doubt we will have a good crack at home this weekend," he said.
"It is always ideal to play finals at home. We didn't get much of an opportunity last time. We played Point and got knocked out by them. The boys are excited to get out and play in front of a good crowd."
The Greens coach knows the game will come down to who is able to control the ball better.
"We both play a very similar style of footy, so it will just come down to who will keep hold of the ball more, and in finals, it comes down to who wants it more," he said.
The qualifying final action will get underway at 10am, with the first grade kicking off at around 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon.
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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
