As Girgarre prepares for the round 14 split-round clash, it sits two spots outside of the top eight and is one game behind ninth-placed Lancaster.
With three rounds of the Kyabram District League season remaining, the stakes have never been higher for the Roos.
“This game is really important for us. We are treating it like a final,” Nelson said.
“It’s do-or-die really. We understand that the final three matches are crucial if we are to play finals.
“Lanky are in a similar spot to us and we know that they will come out strong. They’ll be just as hungry as us and we know they will challenge us. At the end of the day it’s up to each individual to not get too invested in the moment and take it one quarter at a time.”
When the two outfits met in round one, it was Lancaster who walked away victors.
Nelson said that her side would benefit from having star goaler Jacqui Gahan in the lineup this time around and revealed her side would enter the clash at full strength.
“The break is always much-needed and we had a really good session last night,” Nelson said.
“Everyone is available and we are at full strength. Everyone has really gelled and I feel like we are near our best.”
Around the courts, a potential elimination final matchup will be held between Merrigum and Stanhope.
The Bulldogs are one spot above Stanhope in sixth and the two outfits could potentially meet come the first week of finals.
Stanhope got the chocolates in round one and enjoyed a 33-27 victory.
Meanwhile, Murchison-Toolamba will be hell-bent on overturning the round one loss to Rushworth.
The Grasshoppers suffered a 40-38 loss to Rushworth in April.
The two outfits can still mathematically make finals, however a loss here effectively ends the loser’s 2022 campaign.
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