Every point is precious for the Flames (5-4) over the remaining seven rounds of the McMahon Shield, the Kyabram side currently holding a finals place by quotient alone ahead of last season’s grand finalist Rochester.
Fire Brigade also has the advantage of having already taken its second bye for the season, effectively holding a game in hand over most of the competition, including Rochy.
With the top three of Moama, Bamawm-Lockington United and Echuca South looking pretty secure, two games clear of the Flames, it seems the local side is more likely to spend the back end of the season looking downward at the chasing group rather than upwards.
It begins on Saturday with the toughest test this year’s league has to offer, Fire Brigade set to battle the perfect 10-0 leader Moama at Moama Recreation Reserve.
Meanwhile, Tongala, while not out of the finals race yet, will need a significant uptick in form if its hopes to challenge for a top four berth.
The Blues (3-7) are only two wins out of the finals, but have scored two of their three victories over winless Nondies-Cohuna and have three of the top four still ahead on the schedule.
Tongala resumes its campaign on Saturday with a home fixture against a motivated Rochester outfit.
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