Stuck between not quite having qualified for finals and still holding onto hopes of claiming the double chance, co-coach Ron Watt says St Joseph’s can only worry about what’s immediately in front of them.
After bringing forward their Round 20 meeting with Bell Park to late June when both teams had the bye, the fifth-placed Joeys only have two home-and-away matches remaining.
They face archrival and grand final conqueror St Mary’s for the second time this season on Saturday before a trip to Colac the following week.
“We would like to think we can finish in the top three if things went our way, but the chances of that are minimal,” Watt, who has confirmed he’ll continue into the role in 2027, said.
“We’ve just set ourselves to try and have a finals opportunity, and we’ve spoken about that briefly.
“But to be honest, we don’t spend a lot of time on that.
“There are many other things to talk about during the week, and you try not to get so far ahead that you lose sight of what’s happening this week.”
The Saints had the better of Joeys in a night clash in Round 5 by 65 points.
However, since that early May evening, St Joseph’s have suffered just two losses.
“They were very good that night, but I think we left a bit out there,” Watt said.
“We turned the ball over in pretty dangerous spots and didn’t defend it that well.
“I think that area of our game’s improved a lot over the last three months.
“I would expect that we will use the ball a little bit better than we did that night, and that will help us.
“They see an opportunity to attack, and they seize on it very quickly.
“We’ve got to make sure that our use of ball into some less dangerous spots is a lot better this week.”
St Joseph’s still can’t consider several key players, including playing co-coach James Gow (soreness), Geelong VFL midfielder James Hose (broken leg), Werribee-listed Jack Mullen (knee), Hunter Lewis (broken wrist) and Ollie Hanneysee (hamstring).
St Mary’s, which is almost certain to claim the minor premiership, will go into the clash without reigning Rookie of the Year Fletcher Hughes.
He’s been called up to make his debut with VFL club Port Melbourne, while veteran defender Ryan Pendlebury is on coaching duties with Geelong’s AFLW team.
Forbes Gilmore has been omitted.
Josh Sanders returns after missing the win over St Albans, with Jordi Robertson and Hamish Tana recalled from the reserves.
There was mixed news at selection for Newtown & Chilwell (3rd) as it looks to maintain its spot inside the top three with two rounds to play.
The Eagles, who face out-of-contention Leopold (7th, 8-8) at Jardon Oval, have made five changes.
Mitch Diamond (concussion), Connor Fopiani (illness) and Ben Pennisi (Geelong VFL) couldn’t be considered, while Hamish Codd and Tom Kiddle were omitted.
Noah Tullio is back again from Werribee, while co-captain Luke Maddock, Liam Nash and Blake Sutterby return.
Bailey Coville, brother of current Eagle Jesse, will make his debut and is described by coach Steve Johnson as a “real competitor”.
The Lions, who have announced former star Oli Tate as co-coach alongside current mentor Sam Hughes for next three years, get back premiership pair Daniel Pitcher and Kyle Bumpstead along with midfielder Darby Henderson.
They replace Xavier Hayter, Adam Enever and Archie Eichler.
St Albans (8th, 4-11) has made seven changes – five forced – as it prepares to host Colac (6th,8-7) at St Albans Reserve.
Co-captain Jacob Russell, Ethan Hobbs, Harry Cockerell, Declan Barbary and last week’s debutant Zac Cutropia are all sidelined, with Lachie Foster and Riley Sommers omitted following a 148-point hiding from South Barwon.
Junior product Luke Willcox has been named to make his debut.
Hunter Dickson, Tom Gunther, Noah Cockerell, Ben Wolfenden and Koby Harris return, with Tom Brooks promoted from the reserves.
South Barwon (2nd, 12-4) has the bye.
More to come
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