TRAFALGAR was indebted to centurion Todd Mann on day one and will again turn to the pace spearhead to run through Moe in good time to maximise the chance of extra points in round 13.
Mann, Jackson Noonan, Daniel Heathcote and David Bremner will target the wicket of Moe captain Andrew Philip; the home side is yet to post a score of 200 plus when Philip has been dismissed for 30 or less.
Moe needs to provide better support for the skipper, with Aaron Walshe and Sean Spiteri the side’s next most experienced bats.
The Lions need to solidify partnerships and bat out the whole day to give their side a chance of chasing 290.
WITH 106 runs required for victory and seven wickets left in the bank, Mirboo North is favourite.
Should the Tigers win it would end Yallourn North’s finals hopes if Trafalgar defeats Moe, as looks likely.
The Bombers desperately need early wickets from pace bowlers Lucas Fry, Rowan Kelly and Glenn Sheekey, and their task will not be any easier in the absence of left-arm spinner Jeremy Butler.
Mirboo North needs a good result to bounce back from consecutive defeats and with key batsmen Adam Mates and Rob Phoenix at the crease could build a massive stand.
The Tigers have the option to put the Bombers back in to bat and chase an outright and spot in the top two.
JEERALANG-Boolarra is in dire straits still 94 runs shy of making Latrobe bat again with 85 overs to go in its second innings.
Simply forcing the Sharks openers to pad up again could be the goal for the visitors as they try to recover from the Tyron Gamage and Jamie Brierley demolition job.
Big things are needed from the Heath brothers as well as captain Stan Urbanic, but it is also time for out of form batsmen like Ossy Brennan, Craig Blackberry and Ben Duffy to stand up and be counted.
Latrobe will again rely on Gamage and Brierley, but with 85 overs remaining may look to get overs into Brendan Evans, Ash Halkett and part-timers Matt Brewer, Steven Freshwater and Anthony Bloomfield, who may be called upon in finals.
