Though they finished up in 13th on the Coates Talent League ladder, Mark Brown’s charges have scored a wildcard final set to transpire at MARS Stadium.
A win keeps the season alive, a loss ends it immediately.
However, standing in the way of the Bushies is second-ranked Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels.
In round 13 the Rebels handed Brown’s charges a heavy 14.14 (98) to 3.7 (25) loss and currently hold the competition’s joint best record in tandem with Tassie Devils (10-3).
“They’ve (GWV) been playing some really good football and have probably been the most consistent side in it,” Brown said.
“If you have a look across the season, every side has had some really good wins against some good opponents, I think GWV’s difference is that they’ve been more consistent than most.
“We’ll need to be at our absolute best to get the win, but I think we’re capable of that.”
The Bushrangers had the bye most recently while Greater Western Victoria approaches the fixture with a nine-goal thumping of Western Jets to sing about.
Should the Bushies dig out a win against one of the flag fancies, they’ll head to Highgate Recreation Reserve the following week for the second round of a month-long finals series.
“It’s an interesting time of the year,” Brown said.
“The concept behind it is to give every club an opportunity to play finals given the fact that you’re so compromised throughout the year.
“All clubs get pulled apart a little bit off school footy, Vic Country and Allies as well for us.
“It’s an opportunity to hopefully keep our season alive with what is essentially a full list to choose from which probably only happens three or four times a year.
“With our full side in and if we play to a level we’re capable of we can certainly push them.”
Brown went on to wax lyrical about Mooroopna’s finest in Coby James, saying he has shone towards the latter part of the season.
“He obviously missed out on a combine invite, but his form the last two matches, he’s been our best player,” he said.
“To see the way he’s rebounded has been really pleasing, he gets another opportunity to remind everyone just how good of a footballer he is this weekend as do all the boys.”
Meanwhile the Bushrangers’ girls hit the park for the first time in more than a month.
Emma Mackie’s side last played in a 30-point loss to Western Jets on July 22, but will travel to Melbourne’s Shepley Oval to meet Gippsland Power in the final round of the season.
Though Mackie’s outfit has just one win to its name in 2023, the Power are perched two spots above the Bushrangers with eight points for the year.
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