The pair go head-to-head at Mininera this weekend and there is plenty on the line for both sides. 

If Wickliffe/Lake Bolac loses, it can almost kiss its finals’ hopes goodbye while for the Bulldogs, they can certainly replace Glenthompson/Dunkeld in the top five if the cards fall their way.

SM&W coach Joe Carmody is expecting a tight contest on Saturday. 

“Last time we played Wickliffe/Lake Bolac, we won by a point so we’re pretty well-matched all round,” he said. 

“This is the third or fourth time this year that we’ve had the opportunity to go into fifth spot, and they (Wickliffe/Lake Bolac) are in the same boat. They’ll be just as desperate as us to get the win.”

The Bulldogs will be concentrating on a maintaining a consistent four quarter effort. Even though they disposed of the Ararat Eagles by 138 points last weekend, Carmody’s men had lapses in play. 

It has been a common theme for the side this season. 

“At the weekend, we let a few easy goals through. That’s been happening over the whole season, where we’ve let teams get three top four goals in 10 minutes,” Carmody said. 

“We’ll need to cut out those lapses because if we make the finals, we just don’t want to be making up the numbers.”

Bulldogs captain Nick Byrne has been in good form and will be relied upon again this weekend, while Alex McCarthy looms as a dangerous defender after making successful return from injury. 

In a boost for the Bulldogs, Ben Nankervis and Tom Madden are set to return to the squad although Carmody himself is under an injury cloud after straining his groin last weekend. 

IN other Mininera matches this weekend, Tatyoon has a prime opportunity to snatch top spot on the ladder when it comes up against Lismore/Derrinallum, while Great Western is looking to redeem itself for last week’s heavy loss as it travels to play Woorndoo/Mortlake. 

Moyston/Willaura is playing host to Hawkesdale/Macarthur, Caramut at home to the Ararat Eagles and Glenthompson/Dunkeld takes on Penshurst at Glenthompson. 

Umpires: Woorndoo/Mortlake v Great Western - Mick Jennings/Tommy Cooper at Woorndoo; Tatyoon v Lismore/Derrinallum; Paul Spriggs, David Reynolds at Tatyoon; Moyston/Willaura v Hawkes/Mac - Adam Vermeend/Leo Mooney at Moyston.