The Goulburn Valley Playing Area unleashes its main event this weekend, headlined by the weekend pennant’s two biggest drawcards.
Shepparton Golf and Tallygaroopna have qualified for the big dance once more ― in the end, at least.
While Tallygaroopna's path was hardly ever in doubt from the festive break onwards, currently riding a 10-game winning streak, Golf had to take the roundabout route.
The two heavyweights have met three times in season 2023-24, with the Redlegs claiming victory in the past two, including a semi-final victory two weekends ago that forced Golf to go the long way around.
Tallygaroopna’s run of 10 wins on the spin began with five victories ― granted, at an enormous average margin of more than 45 shots ― against sides that observers expected it to knock over.
In conquering Kyabram and Golf back-to-back, the credentials of David Daws’ side became genuinely undeniable and it hasn’t looked back since.
“I think (the wins over Golf) are going to give us confidence in ourselves, but Golf’s going to come to play; that was reflected in their game against Park,” Daws said.
“They’re going to come out very strong and, regardless of our wins against them or over the last 10 weeks, if we don’t bring our best we’ll fall at the final hurdle.
“It was a cracking start yesterday with how (midweek division two) played and hopefully that success leads into another couple of wins on Saturday.”
At press time, a current forecast of 38°C for Saturday could invoke the GVPA’s extreme heat protocols and move games to a 9.30am start, as the Murray finals have already decided to do.
There’s reason to be wary with an already congested fixture list for some top bowlers.
“Anyone can be affected bowling in that heat, regardless of how old or young you are,” Daws said.
“It’ll be what it’ll be. Whether we’re playing in the morning or the heat of the day, we’ll carry the same mentality forward and hopefully get a win.”
The Golfers’ hiccups were well-documented after a rampaging 7-0 start to the season; many had pencilled in their opponents’ fate ahead of time by that stage.
Euroa upset the applecart first in memorable fashion, but many were willing to write it off as an aberration at the time.
Consecutive setbacks against the Bombers and Redlegs led to many alarm bells ringing, but Golf made a gigantic statement in last weekend’s preliminary final thumping of Shepparton Park.
Off that result, which Brad Orr described as his side’s “most complete performance of the season”, there’s plenty to like about the Golfers’ form.
“The group’s saving its best performances for late in the year, which is what you want,’’ Orr said.
“We want to treat these weeks as normal as possible, but the atmosphere was great at the club after the midweek success.
“We’re really looking forward to it. There are a lot of people who back up and play Saturday who were successful in the midweek.
“I don’t think the feeling could get any better.”
Indeed, after Golf triumphed over Seymour to secure the Edna Harling Shield on Tuesday, a potential trifecta could come the Golfers’ way by Saturday evening.
Alternatively, it could be settled much earlier, subject to the league’s extreme heat decision.
With any decisions on the weather being out of Golf’s hands, Orr has no plans to sweat the time change if grand final bowls get added to Saturday’s breakfast menu.
However, the prospect of a double-header sweep on the day is front of mind ― though the two sides will plan and achieve separately.
“Division one has its group chat at Thursday training and division two will chat on Saturday morning,” Orr said.
“We’ve just got to control what we can control and if we play our best it should be good enough.
“Tally’s a quality side, as are we, so we’re expecting a tight and close battle throughout.’’