Tatyoon has gotten used to playing to keep its season alive and it will have to do so once more this weekend.
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The Hawks play Glenthompson-Dunkeld at Derrinallum on Sunday in an elimination semi-final, with the loser’s season coming to an end and the winner advancing to the preliminary final.
The Hawks are flying high having defeated last year’s premiers Lismore-Derrinallum last weekend in a nail-biting do or die contest.
Conditions were far from ideal for the clash, with the hard slog leaving Hawks players sore in the wash up.
“It is just general soreness after a very tough game in difficult conditions,” Tatyoon coach Simon Brearley said.
“We had a very light night on Tuesday. It was mostly a bit of recovery to get the legs going again and start to freshen up.”
The Rams and Hawks played out two great contests during the season, with the Rams coming out on the winning end both times.
They won by 14 points back in round three and held on by seven points in round 16.
“Both times we met our side was depleted by injury but this weekend we take one of our stronger teams in against them,” Brearley said.
“We go in believing we can and should win.”
Read more: A Grade Hawks full of self-belief
The Hawks have a few players up for selection this weekend, with Matt Pell and Sean McDougall potential inclusions.
“We will give those guys until the last minute before we make a call,” Brearley said.
“If they are about there we will roll the dice I think. It is do or die and those guys could make a big impact in keeping our season alive.”
The Hawks had a shocking run of form into finals but have had an impressive two weeks, with wins over SMW Rovers in the final round of the season before beating the Demons last weekend.
Brearley said his side has not played at its best but he is pleased they are still finding results.
“We have just been finding ways to win. To come from behind in tough conditions last week was great,” he said.
“In two matches we have not played our best footy but have still found a way. Our form has been building and we have been getting some belief back after a few tough weeks.”
Lachie Marr was a standout for the Hawks on the Demons’ best player Michael Lockyer last weekend and will be crucial for Tatyoon again on Sunday.
The Rams go into the clash against Tatyoon off the back of the big qualifying final loss to Penshurst last weekend.
The senior football contest will begin at 2.15pm at Derrinallum on Sunday.
The winner of Sunday’s clash will take on the loser of the qualifying semi-final between Wickliffe-Lake Bolac and Penshurst.
