Both clubs date back more than 50 years and each meeting between the Ibises and South brings plenty of noise from the local football community on which of the proud faction will have the last say.
This weekend is no different.
First-placed South is propped up one point above Tatura and secured bragging rights in the season opener as Rob Harmeston’s men ran out 3-1 winners.
However, with Tatura steadily gaining momentum and desperate to return serve in the away leg, coach Thomas Corso has every intention on singing the song on Saturday night.
“We’re buzzing about it to be honest, we’re so keen,” Corso said.
“We obviously didn’t get the job done last time, so I think we’ve got something to prove. Hopefully we put in a better performance, but I think we’re a little bit better prepared this time around.
“We’ve got to be confident, I think we’ve hit a good patch in the season at the moment; we’re not at our best yet, but I don’t really want that to come for another four or five weeks.
“I want us to hit our strides just before the end of the season to be honest, but we’ve got a lot of confidence in what we’re doing with a new structure that we’re playing.”
South may have a touch of rust to knock off having not played a competitive fixture in three weeks, but the side sports two premier marksmen in Nick Mori and Joel Aitken (14 goals each).
On the other hand, Tatura approaches the game in healthy form having toppled Shepparton United in a seven-goal thriller and spanking Spring Gully 3-0 in the cup.
Young defender Reece Reedy, who came across from Goulburn Valley Suns at the start of the year, has caught the eye of Corso and will have his work cut out trying to stifle the likes of Mori and Aitken.
“He's doing great, we’re probably playing him out of position a little bit just because we didn’t know exactly what he could offer,” Corso said.
“But it looks like he’s found himself more comfortable in a full back position.
“He’s in elite company that kid, he can definitely hold his own as such a young player and has been impressing us which is why he’s been in the starting XI nearly every week ― we’re excited about what he can do.”
For third-placed Shepparton United, a trip to Truscott Reserve awaits.
The Blues gave opponent Eaglehawk a 4-1 bath in the home fixture and, with a game in hand, Lewis Coyle’s side will look for a win to bunt either Tatura or South aside for a spot in the top two.
Division two men’s actions pits Shepparton against Golden City, while Shepparton Lushi meets La Trobe University Black.
Tatura’s division one women’s outfit is soaring after earning promotion last season, currently in third with a six-point gap to close on leader Colts United.
If the Ibises can fend off South, which possesses one of the league’s finest forwards in Rosemarene Legalo (seven goals), then they can create distance between fourth-ranked Shepparton United;.
Lastly, the Blues hold an even 3-3 ledger and go in search of flipping the record into the positive when taking on Eaglehawk in the 2pm timeslot.
