Bannockburn coach Ron Pilgrim isn’t shying away from how the Tigers will approach Saturday’s clash with Corio at Victoria Park.
Pilgrim, whose tenure as coach finishes when the club’s campaign ends, says his players will have a license to take the game on against the Devils.
Sitting in seventh spot on the ladder, Bannockburn can still snatch an elimination final berth.
However, the Tigers (10-7, 128.61%) need to beat Corio by around 10 goals and hope Bell Post Hill (10-7, 130.63%) beats Belmont Lions (11-6, 135.13%) by around five goals to make up the percentage difference.
“We’ve worked this week on trying to score freely,” Pilgrim said.
“But you can put as many plans in as you want… the opposition are coming off a bloody good win last week.
“You’re only going to be as good as they allow you to be.
“We’ll go all-out attack, and hopefully things go our way.”
Pilgrim admits that, like in 2024, when Bannockburn snuck into the top five in the final round by 0.85%, he will have someone monitoring the Lions-Panthers clash with a calculator in hand.
“We’ve got the maths already sorted, but Bell Post Hill obviously have to win the game, or we’re no chance,” he said
“So, we’ll definitely keep an eye on that.”
No matter the result, it will be the last time Pilgrim walks off Victoria Park after 517 appearances as a player or coach.
He says it has crossed his mind that a journey that started in 1984 will have its final steps this weekend.
“It’d be a fool to say you haven’t,” Pilgrim said. “It’s been a long time.
“I haven’t thought post-Saturday, but most definitely a long involvement.
“I don’t know, it’s not emotion. I think it’s just a bit of you look back on your time and think, “Geez, that’s been a long time!”.
“I haven’t put too much process into it, but (I’ve) definitely thought about it.”
Bannockburn will be boosted by the inclusion of gun midfielder Jack Brauman.
However, its firepower up forward will be diminished by the absence of leading goalkicker Henry Hawker, who is unavailable.
The Devils, who caused the upset of the season in beating second-placed Winchelsea last week, have lost Jack Green (quad) and Cooper Shoebridge (unavailable).
They’ve been replaced by Herschelle Carr and Nathan Smith.
Werribee Centrals (1st, 14-3) has four big inclusions as it looks to lock away its first minor premiership in 16 years with a win over fellow finalists East Geelong (4th, 11-6) at Symal Oval.
The Centurions, who sit a win and close to six per cent clear of Winchelsea, welcome back Paddy Daley, Kristian Adorno and Tate Camilleri, who were all managed out of last week’s win over Bell Post Hill.
Kur Kur returns after missing three weeks with an ankle/heel issue.
Blake Taylor is unavailable, while Josh Stone, Damian Williams and Ben Leonard have been omitted.
The Eagles have included Jayden Fanning in place of Jack Dickson.
Bell Post Hill (6th, 10-7) welcome back Josh Norman and have recalled Ethan Coffey for the clash with Belmont Lions (5th, 11-6).
The Panthers need to beat the Lions by around five goals, and hope Bannockburn’s win over Corio isn’t significant enough to overhaul their percentage to snatch fifth spot.
They will be without Banjo Hickey (AC joint), with Jordan Flaccavento returning to the reserves.
The Lions have lodged three changes.
Christian Farchione, Ollie Mayman and Brock Mahoney replace Jake Wood, who was suspended for three weeks by the AFL Barwon Tribunal during the week, as well as Mason Jolly and Will Pelham.
Jhye Kenna has joined Osca Riccardi in going out of the North Geelong (3rd) team for its clash with Inverleigh (8th, 9-8) at Keith Barclay Oval.
Kenna requires surgery on a broken finger suffered against Bell Post Hill a fortnight ago that he strapped up for last week’s loss to East Geelong.
Riccardi will be sidelined until at least semi-final weekend due to a hamstring issue.
The Magpies have also omitted John Fazio from the team that was kept to three goals by the Eagles.
They’ve been replaced by the returning Charlie Smith and recalled pair, Noah Penny and Harry Jones.
Winchelsea (2nd, 13-4) will welcome back Ryan Williams, Jack Terrill, Jude Coverdale and Reuben James for its meeting with Geelong West (12th, 0-17) at Eastern Reserve.
A big win for the Blues and a Werribee Centrals loss could see Ben Moloney’s claim the minor premiership that appeared to be theirs before last week’s shock loss to Corio.
Going out of the team are Noah Harvey, Joss Church, Zac Ross and Eamon Dempsey.
The Giants have included Nick Lloyd, Ethan Higgins and Kurt Bamford for injured pair Callum Roberts and Lachie Frawley, and the omitted Mitch Beattie.
More to come
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