FOR the first time in 2016 the Ararat Eagles will have a chance to win consecutive games when they host Wickliffe-Lake Bolac on Saturday.
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The second-placed Magpies will head to Alexandra Oval for the clash.
Coach Brian Jenkins said the round 14 win against Great Western was important but there is another challenge in front of them on Saturday.
“The feeling is pretty good around the club after the win but there is no expectation this weekend,” he said
“We know where we have come from and where we are trying to get too.”
Jenkins said he wants his side to make life difficult for teams that will feature in finals in 2016.
“We just want to be competitive and make these top sides earn their wins late in the season,” he said.
“It’s all about effort and having a crack.
“It will be a hard task this week against Wickliffe-Lake Bolac.
“We understand it’s a pretty tough road, but we’re still not writing off another win this season.”
The Eagles are still hopeful of more positive results in 2016.
Jenkins said they have a clear plan to beat the Magpies on Saturday.
“We want to try and frustrate them a bit by maintaining possession and denying them the ball,” he said.
“We have to make them accountable by forcing kicks to contests.”
Wickliffe-Lake Bolac coach Joe Otto said he expects a fired up Eagles side on Saturday following their round 14 win.
"It's good to see them have a win, we definitely see them coming into the game pretty fired up,” he said.
"But we are not going to change anything, we will just play our own game.
"We've started off pretty well most weeks, the first quarter is one of our better areas.
“So hopefully we can continue that and put together a four quarter effort.”
Otto said the tough conditions made it hard for the Magpies’ forwards in their round 14 match against Woorndoo-Mortlake but it was still an area where he wants improvement.
“It was pretty hard for forwards in general last week, but it’s still something we are working on leading into finals,” he said.
"But the back line over the past month has been pretty solid.”
Jenkins said there were a few players missing from training due to the flu but the club expected them to take their place in the side.
“I’d guess a few clubs have players that are feeling a bit sick with the current weather conditions but they still have a few days before the game,” he said.
“I’d be confident they should be ok for Saturday.”
