The Blues line up against the 11th-placed Echuca United, hoping to retain second spot on the ladder, but despite a renewed invigoration in the Blues’ camp following a mid-season dip in form, their coach is encouraging his charges to stay frosty in the run home.
Northern Territory legend Cameron Ilett will miss this week’s clash after starring in Tongala’s 35-point win over fellow top six side Deniliquin last week, but the Blues have retained prolific sharpshooter Darren Ewing.
Ewing will loom large in the contest after booting 13 goals against the Eagles in round one, and he will look to light it up again with 31 goals to his name from four appearances in 2022.
Meanwhile, United are coming off a 109-point loss to finals aspirant Congupna after notching their first win of the season against Numurkah before the bye.
Tongala mentor Jordan Souter said United’s form-line doesn’t suggest they should be taken lightly.
“Obviously, they didn’t have their best week last week, but their results in the last four or five weeks show they’ve improved as the season’s gone on,” Souter said.
“It’s a little bit of a rivalry between United; they’re the closest town to us and we always try to get ourselves up for them.
“We’ll prepare like we’re coming up against a Cobram.”
At South Reserve, the Eagles have been dealt a blow with experienced campaigner Dane Leyden under an injury cloud with an ankle concern sustained against Congupna.
Leyden recently returned to the Eagles’ squad after a month layoff throughout June owing to a hamstring issue, and will be a sharp loss as he has featured in United’s best in six out of the eight games he has played.
“Dane Leyden hurt his ankle last weekend, which hurts because he’s only just returned,” Priest said.
“There could be some changes but we’re not sure what those will be until late.”
Priest admitted his side was disappointed at the standard presented against the Road in round 13.
“We’re coming off a pretty disappointing game on the weekend,” Priest said.
“We built that game up to be really competitive and from the offset we were quite the opposite, we didn’t have any drive.
“We have three pretty tough games coming up in Tonny, Cobram and Mulwala. We want to continue to build and finish the year off really well.”
United’s run home includes match-ups against top four sides Tongala (2nd), Cobram (1st), and Mulwala (4th) in the next three rounds, before facing the winless Rumbalara and then Barooga (10th) to finish their season.
The Blues final five games include Echuca United, Moama (3rd), Rumbalara (12th), a highly anticipated rematch with Cobram (1st) and Finley (9th).
Tongala and Echuca United face off at Echuca South Recreation Reserve on Saturday, July 16 from 2pm.
