Hanwood will head to Cootamundra this weekend to play their round nine catch up game against the Strikers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Hanwood was able to return to winning ways after dropping points to Wagga United with a convincing win over South Wagga and will be looking to continue that momentum when they take on the bottom of the table Cootamundra side.
Despite the difficulty the Strikers are facing this season, Hanwood coach Brian Bertolin knows his side can't afford to be complacent.
"From what I hear, they are building from the ground up again," he said. "We aren't going to be complacent, obviously they have struggled a bit with results this year, but we are still going to go over there and do it.
"Just look at the Wagga United game. We didn't dominate that day, but we didn't score, and Nick Zappala didn't touch the ball with his hands, and then come the second half, they scored and all of a sudden, we were down 1-0 15 minutes into the second half. You just can't take anything for granted."
This weekend will see a new-look forward line with Daniel Johnson and Daniel Rogato missing while midfielder Dem Torino nursing an injury while Anthony Agresta will be out with an Achilles injury.
RELATED
This will give Bertolin the chance to assess some of his options in a worst-case scenario.
"It's an opportunity for someone else to step up, and you never know what could happen in a finals series with injuries, suspensions or whatever you might have to call on people," he said
"These types of games are a good chance to see what the backup is and how we can play when we are a bit down on numbers."
This week saw Football Wagga announce they would be extending their season until October 17 due to the washed-out rounds, three weeks past the original finishing date.
Bertolin felt this was the fairest way to structure the season.
"Whilst I'd have loved the season to finish when it was supposed to finish, I think the way they have structured it now is the fairest way they could," he said.
"I would have been disappointed if finals had of been compromised with a 1v4 and 2v3 format. There is going to be a couple of byes for Pascoe Cup teams, but I don't think byes are the worst thing. It gives you a chance to refresh a bit."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.areanews.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News