Experienced key defender Cam Valentine looks set to be a headline inclusion as Echuca aims to shore up its position on the top of the Goulburn Valley league ladder.
Valentine returns after a foot injury sustained in round one, and with Cats’ spearhead and GVL goal-kicking leader Chris Nield (34 goals) looming in the upcoming match, it’s a timely addition.
Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said the final make-up of the squad would rest on Thursday night fitness tests and was tipping a ferocious Cats outfit to make the trip to Vic Park.
“At the moment our form is pretty good, but on any given day anyone can beat anyone,” Maddox said.
“Cam Valentine came back through the twos; he’ll play this week.
“We’re expecting a pretty fierce contest against Mooroopna.”
Echuca and Mooroopna have experienced varying fortunes in recent weeks.
The Murray Bomber’s 45-point win over Rochester in round eight handed them top spot, while Mooroopna’s 29-point loss to Mansfield saw them knocked off the perch.
After winning its first five games of the season, the Cat’s have lost two of their last three, while the Murray Bomber’s are yet to taste defeat on-field in 2022.
“The minute you get ahead of yourself, footy has a strange of coming back and biting you,” Maddox said.
Meanwhile on-court, Echuca has a top four tussle of their own with a second versus third clash against the Cats.
The Murray Bomber’s are sweating on a hand injury to star goaler Belinda Lees which saw her miss last round, but coach and star mid-courter Steph Vick is poised to return from illness.
Vick said she was expecting the Cats to fire as they seek a fifth-straight victory.
“(Mooroopna) obviously have strength right from the defensive end to the attacking end,” Vick said.
“They have got a good mix of experience through the court as well, so we’re expecting a big challenge.”
Echuca and Mooroopna face off in the top four clash at Victoria Park on Saturday, June 11 from 2:35pm, while the A-grade clash kicks off from 2:15pm.
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