The Bushies will look to end their campaign in style when they host Sandringham Dragons at Wangaratta Showgrounds on Sunday.
After eight games in 2021, the Bushrangers get a chance to win their third match when they take on an 11th-ranked Dragons.
And they will have plenty of firepower to help.
Fresh off dominant performances for Vic Country at the national championships, Shepparton United's Aurora Smith and Benalla product Keeley Skepper will return to spearhead the squad.
Fellow Benalla talent Maddy Gray is slated to return after donning the Vic Country jumper, while United's Kate Adams is touch and go due to VFLW commitments.
“Selection will be difficult this week because for the first time this season we will be at full-strength,” Bushrangers’ assistant coach Mario de Santa-ana said.
“The past couple of weeks have been a bit disjointed with byes and the national championships being on, but we have trained right through.
“The entire playing group is really positive and pumped to put in a big performance this weekend.”
Sitting in 10th spot, the Bushrangers enter this match the higher-ranked side.
But de Santa-ana understands his side will need to be on its toes.
“Like all metro NAB League outfits, we are expecting a really tough game,” he said.
“They will look to play quick and they won't hesitate to play on. We need to be switched on defensively and stop their runners.
“I think we are evenly placed on the ladder, so it's a good chance for us to finish the year on a high.”
Looking back on the season, de Santa-ana pointed out the continued development of the young playing group as a high point of the season.
Which was evident in the win over Geelong Falcons earlier this month.
The assistant coach said although the season comes to an end on Sunday, the foundations for next season looked promising.
“We started off pretty slow, but each week we saw development in the squad and that's what we set out to achieve,” he said.
“Over the season we had multiple players aged 14 and 15 play, which I don't think many other clubs would have done. So we are really excited for those players who have got that early experience going forward.
“We will already have an eye on next year with the (Shepparton District Junior Football League) Youth Girls competition starting this weekend.”
● The game on Sunday will begin at 1pm at Wangaratta Showgrounds.
More local sport
AFL exports | Scans on injured knee confirm the worst for Foley
GVL football start times tweaked
NAB League | ‘Great learning curve': Bushies coach finds positives in narrow loss
19°C