IF THERE is one sporting positive to come from a weekend of no action, it’s the grandstand finish Goulburn Murray Cricket is set for.
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All cricket was called off due to Victoria entering a snap five-day lockdown to stop the spread of a COVID-19 outbreak.
This Saturday is the final round of the home-and-away season and any of Echuca, Rochester, Kyabram Fire Brigade or Moama can still finish on top of the ladder.
With the top four already locked away, just six points separates the four teams.
And the Saturday’s games will be even juicier by the fact all four sides play teams in the bottom four with recent results suggesting anything is possible.
Echuca remains in prime position to bring home the minor premiership but know it can’t get ahead of itself against Cooma.
Despite sitting last on the ladder, it remains possible for Cooma to avoid the wooden spoon.
And it’s a scenario Echuca head coach Jon Varcoe is well aware of.
“We’ve both got absolutely everything to play for,” he said.
“Everyone is going to have to find a way to prepare for the game as best they can give the current five-day lockdown Victoria finds itself in.
“We’re going to focus on everything we can control and won’t be getting too far ahead of ourselves.
“Our goal has continued to be taking it one week at a time and that’s what we will continue to do.”
Despite the chasing pack breathing down its neck, Varcoe insisted there wasn’t any added pressure on his side.
“Everyone knows how even the competition has been this season,” he said.
“You need to be at your best every week if you want to win matches. We’re always going to be confident in our own ability against whoever we face.
“Winning the last game of the home-and-away season would give us a home final which would be a nice little advantage to have.”
Moama will be hoping Echuca does slip up so it could potentially host a semi-final.
But standing in its way is Bamawm Lockington United which will be desperate to take maximum points to avoid finishing on the bottom of the ladder.
“Anyone can beat another team on their side as we've seen all season,” Moama president Kirk Teasdale said.
“All it takes is for one guy to get away and make a big score. Everyone will want to be finishing the home-and-away season on a high and we are no different.
“Hopefully we are able to do that.”
Games will continue to be played as one-dayers for the finals series and Varcoe has enjoyed the format of the season.
“I think playing one-dayers had to be done given the situation,” Varcoe said.
“You just need to look at the past weekend’s scenario because it hasn’t had too much of an impact.
“I think the general consensus is we’d like to see two-day games make a comeback because there is a greater opportunity for players to bat and bowl.”
In other matches, Kyabram Fire Brigade will take on Echuca South at home while Rochester will welcome at Tongala.
The fixture currently has the grand final slated for Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday, March 6.
“We're very fortunate to have the opportunity to host the biggest game of the year,” Teasdale said.
“The club is very lucky to have great facilities which have only been improved by the new clubrooms. The curator and Murray River Council do a great job to always present the ground in a fantastic manner.
“It would be even better for us if we're playing on the day.”
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