Already, both T20 competitions concluded shortly after the return of cricket to the Goulburn Valley following the festive break and the next piece of silverware is just around the corner.
The seventh and final instalment of one-day action within the Cricket Shepparton Haisman Shield is upon us, with 45-over games wrapping up on Saturday.
Just one issue, though — there are still a fair few different ways those top two sides could shake out with a greatly polarised one-day ladder meaning a handful of teams have kept themselves in the race.
Bonus points have certainly played their part in landing us on the mathematical puzzle in which we find ourselves, though to be fair, some convenient byes have helped a club or two along the way as well.
In fact, why not start our breakdown there?
Kyabram - bye
To qualify: In if Waaia defeats Nagambie, or if Nagambie wins and Central Park-St Brendan’s wins without a bonus point
The Redbacks have done almost all they can to solidify themselves as an outfit to watch this season.
There’s still work to do in the Haisman Shield at large, with two more two-day fixtures to come after the weekend and stiff competition at the top from the likes of Central Park-St Brendan’s.
However, as far as one-day aspirations, the current tally of 35 points boasted by Jackson McLay’s side will automatically become 41 through a Saturday bye.
The automatic points would place Kyabram two points clear on top, essentially making 41 the final’s get-in price having scooped bonus points in all five victories from six games.
There’s little else within the Redbacks’ control, though, and passage to the decider is still no guarantee with the other top five clubs taking on each other this weekend.
As long as either the Tigers or Bombers win — and it only has to be one — they’ll move on to the big day relatively fresh.
Nagambie v Waaia
If Nagambie wins: Nagambie and Kyabram/Numurkah qualify
If Waaia wins: Kyabram and winner of Numurkah-CPStB qualify
It’s a tragic case of “so near, yet so far” for Waaia.
The Bombers have already claimed one trophy this season, but will find themselves caught short by an agonising margin even with a win on Saturday.
Forty-one is the ceiling for the red and black — alongside another outfit in those colours — with a bonus point victory, but unless some extraordinary event has no points awarded at Numurkah, Waaia’s rather modest run rate will be its undoing.
Picking up points was a long way from guaranteed regardless, however, with a long trip south to face a Lakers outfit currently sitting as one of two perfect 5-0 sides.
Mark Nolan’s side faces a considerably more simple equation: with top-ranked Numurkah at home to Central Park-St Brendan’s, it’s a win-and-in affair come Saturday for the host down south.
As the only side to have had Kyabram’s number in one-day action this season, Nagambie may well be the sole outfit that could qualify alongside the Redbacks and harbour no fear whatsoever.
Numurkah v Central Park-St Brendan’s
If Numurkah wins: Numurkah and Kyabram/Nagambie qualify
If CPStB wins: CPStB and Kyabram qualify if Waaia wins, Nagambie and Kyabram qualify if Nagambie wins and CPStB misses bonus point
This is the game where margins start to come into play as well, at least if you’re looking for the Tigers to make it.
It’s hardly the most reliable of circumstances — Central Park would have to wallop Numurkah quite solidly for this to really matter — but you can at least mathematically say its run rate is close enough to Kyabram’s to rate a mention.
Of course, you’d have to assume a comprehensive win means the bonus point awaits, and taking that would be the only surefire way to ensure a berth in the top two.
Meanwhile, the Blues hold it all in their hands as proud owners of a perfect record heading into Saturday on top of the tree.
Tim Arnel’s men know a thing or two about standing up on the big occasions against the yellow and black, having conquered Central Park at Deakin Reserve last year to claim Higher-grade T20 honours.
Being the top seed, it’s a pretty straightforward path for Numurkah — but should anything go wrong, the northern outfit will suffer the ignominy of missing out on qualification from first place on the final day.
Not only that, the Blues’ place would be ceded to a team which would advance at their expense despite not even playing.
While the remainder of Saturday’s clashes will have no bearing on the one-day picture, there are helpful Haisman Shield points at stake regardless.
Tatura desperately needs to keep touch amidst a drop in form and the departure of opening bat Matthew West, so victory at home to Old Students is non-negotiable.
Katandra will be seeking some consolidation within the finals frame on a trip to Mooroopna, while the bottom four sides all square off as well.
Shepparton Youth Club United welcomes Karramomus in a cross-town derby, while Euroa and Pine Lodge meet in the south-east with the loser at grave risk of ending season 2024-25 in bottom spot.
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