RIVALS Sale and Maffra will meet on Saturday, with the winner to progress directly to the grand final.
Maffra stunned Morwell in last week’s qualifying final and is keen to continue its winning form.
“Maffra/Sale is always big, hopefully we can get our first quarter going and put on a show for them” Eagles coach Hayden Burgiel said.
The Magpies are fresh from a week’s rest, and will line up against the only team in the competition that has beaten it this year.
“It would be good but either way, preliminary final or straight in… sometimes it’s just good to keep playing footy, keep getting touches. For Sale to have two games in a month it’s harder than playing all the way through,” Burgiel said.
Burgiel admitted his side would need to get off to a better start than it did against Morwell if it wants any chance against the reigning premier.
“I think our approach will be to try to come in in front at quarter-time.
“If you can get Sale on the back foot early and you don’t let them play the way they want to play then you are a chance… especially early on. (It) just means we have got to get to the ball, get the hands on first, spread really well (and) make them accountable,” Burgiel said.
“There might be a couple of changes but winning form is good form and it’s hard to change it when you’re winning.”
