The man himself knows the task ahead will be arduous.
Speaking to the Riverine Herald after his unbelievable 25-goal haul last week, Harney admitted the opposition in the final two games of the season would make it tough for him to reach the magical 100.
“I never really thought I’d ever be in this sort of position,” he said.
“We face Deniliquin and Cobram, they’re two good sides, so it’ll be hard work, but you never know.”
The equation is simple for the high-flying forward.
Sitting on 91 goals with two games remaining, he needs nine majors to become immortalised as one of the great country footballers to have raised the century tally.
But what does his form against the Rams earlier this season say about his chances of another big bag?
Against Deni in round 12, Harney kicked just the one major as the Eagles fell by two goals.
He was matched up on by Brayden Hall, who Rams coach Ash Morris called the “best defender in the league”.
“I’m looking forward to watching the match-up between Hall and the best forward in the league in James Harney,” Morris told the Deniliquin Pastoral Times.
“Brayden kept him to one goal last time we met, Harney is coming in red hot form after kicking 25 goals against Rumbalara.”
There will no doubt be extra attention on the Eagles captain when the ball is bounced on Saturday, but his teammates will also surely look for him whenever they have ball in hand.
And while Harney is the main talking point, the win will remain of utmost importance to his side.
With a win, the Eagles will move to 6-11 for the season, drawing level with Deni on wins and possibly ahead on the ladder, depending on percentage. Six wins will also be double the amount of victories Echuca United notched last season, an important milestone for the side.
United coach Farran Priest has already stated the final two rounds are two of the biggest games his side has faced all year, with momentum heading into season 2024 an important factor in retaining players and keeping motivation high.
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