Yes, Tallygaroopna has all but an iron-clad grip on first place, with only a gigantic swing potentially preventing the northerners from cementing that position.
Sure, Shepparton Park turned out to be, exactly as predicted, mathematically glued to third place heading into a Saturday encounter knowing its fate cannot change - mind you, it’s still a fairly important clash, as we’ll get to.
The true meat and bones of this weekend’s 14th and final round of weekend pennant bowls, though, lies out west.
Tuesday’s Edna Harling Shield contests saw a mini-elimination final involving Tatura-Hill Top, who took on Seymour with aspirations of snatching fourth spot and a finals berth from under the southern side’s nose.
Sure enough, fate repeated itself in setting up a similar situation taking place at Hill Top Bowling Club this weekend as fifth-placed Kyabram comes to town with just one point splitting the two.
This came after the Bombers, who gave a perfectly fine account of themselves in a defeat to Tallygaroopna last weekend despite splitting the four rinks, were able to benefit from Tatura-Hill Top’s surprising draw away at Euroa to stay in the finals hunt.
Perhaps more surprising is the fact a side was able to draw twice in one regular season.
Adding to the intrigue of this contest, as with all four of Saturday’s games, is that they’re first-time encounters this season after the corresponding set of fixtures in round seven was washed out by a weekend downpour.
Around the grounds, Tallygaroopna will have the chance to put its feet up early ahead of another finals campaign with its home clash against East Shepparton, five points clear of the wooden spoon, set for Friday evening.
Shepparton Golf will entertain local rival Shepparton Park in a clash set to serve as every chance of a finals preview, while Mooroopna has one last chance to make up ground and try to move off the bottom in a clash with fellow eliminated side Euroa.
Meanwhile, this week’s edition of After the Jack welcomed one of the benefactors of this season’s permit player rule as Steve Shennan of Essendon and Shepparton Golf joined the panel.
As a natural advocate for the system, Shennan discussed the flow-on effects that should stem from incorporating the upper echelon of bowlers into more club games and the learning opportunities it affords full-time locals.
“We’re getting international players and world champions coming into Melbourne to play on interstate permits and what have you. It’s just got to improve your bowls and the standard of the bowls overall,” Shennan said.
“I’m all for it. Coming up to Shepp Golf, I can only see positives in guys like Anthony Flapper playing in the country, and I would support and recommend that other people look at the same model.
“Your bowls and the bowls around the club have got to improve by watching these good players play.
“I think we can take it to the next level. Players can come up and run clinics, sportsman’s nights, even get some junior sessions and make a day of it.
“I think the more metro players and good players that can come up and play in the country, it can only be better for the game.”
