Charles Sturt University will host one of their most important home games in well over a decade on Saturday when the Bushpigs take on Coleambally in a sudden-death showdown for fifth.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It's the equivalent of an early final, with the winner at Peter Hastie Oval to progress to next week's elimination final, and the loser to pack up and plan for next year.
Despite losing by 10 goals when they met at Coleambally, CSU will roll in with confidence after two big wins, while the Blues, who haven't won a game in Wagga for almost three years, are coming off a 90-point loss at Marrar.
"Just our pressure is the biggest thing. If we can get that right up and bring what we've brought the last couple of weeks, I think we'll be right," CSU's Lachy Moore said.
"It'll definitely be a tough match but we've got a good side now and we've gelled the last couple of weeks so I think it'll be a good game to watch.
"They're fairly tall but I think we're a bit younger, a bit smaller and a bit quicker and hopefully we can outlast their guys."
Last year, the Bushpigs made finals for only the second time in 16 seasons. The opportunity to earn their return at home sets the scene for a massive occasion.
Moore, 22, has plenty of finals experience including three senior premierships with Collingullie-Glenfield Park, and says there's nothing secret about the key ingredient.
"To play four quarters of footy, to have momentum and carry it all the way through to the end, just don't let off at all," he said.
Fellow midfielder Sam Barrow is also in his first season at Pig Park but has played half-a-dozen finals matches in the last two years at Colac in Victoria, and a couple of senior grand finals in recent years.
The 24-year-old forward has moved to a starting midfield role in the latter stages of the season, as CSU shook up their team, including throwing midfielder-forward Louis Miller to a back flank and key defender Jack Thompson up forward.
It's working but Barrow backs up Moore's summation that they need to start with intensity and apply pressure throughout. He says the environment is ripe for that at the end of what has been a tough season at times.
After almost upsetting Marrar at Langtry Oval three weeks ago, CSU have climbed from eighth to sixth, booting 16 goals to beat The Rock-Yerong Creek and then 19 goals against the Northern Jets.
"Blokes are getting around each other, they know each other's game, I think there's a real sense of belief and they're just having fun playing footy," Barrow said.
"Like Lachy said, our pressure has been leading that and it's got everyone up and about. Whether it's a big tackle, or harassing to turn the ball over, that's been the biggest thing the last three weeks."
Adding to the atmosphere, the club is hosting its annual past players day, including reunions for five netball premierships won in 2009 and 2010, as well as the reserve grade football flags both years.
"I've heard a lot of stories from the Old Boars so it's going to be a massive day for the club," Barrow said.
"To be playing on our home ground especially for such a big game, there can't be any better finish to the season. It's what you want. It's what you play for - finals - and we get a taste of it one week early."
Former ruckman Paul Weedon played in CSU's reserve grade success in 2009 (but missed the 2010 decider after a shattering knee injury in the second semi-final).
"2009-2010 were a great couple of years for the club," Weedon said.
"Coming off two very lean years to winning back-to-back ressies and the netball was a real highlight. Those wins really gave everyone a much-needed boost and set us up for years to come."
If the current crop can come from nowhere to finish fifth, they can stake their own claim in helping the club take another step forward into a new decade.
"I've enjoyed seeing the new players develop from fresh-faced uni kids to fine young intelligent adults who then go out into the world to make a difference," Weedon said.
"My favourite moments would be watching first grade walk up the hill after a win at Pig Park with cheers from the crowd and smiles on the boys' faces."
Weedon, a CSU graduate, former committee member and weekly volunteer, says it's a unique environment at the Bushpigs and Bushsows.
"Being part of a club that continuously changes, has a great core group of volunteers and always makes everyone feel welcome are some of its great strengths," he said.
"It is not just about the football and netball but about the friendships and a feeling of belonging."
READ MORE:
