ROBINVALE Euston welcomes back one big gun, but loses another, for what shapes as a real danger game against the emerging Mildura at Brian Weightman Oval today.
Ethan Gill returns to the Eagles’ line-up after a month off through injury and will take on leadership duties in the absence of coach Andrew Richardson, who is working away, but was likely to have not played anyway due to a minor injury concern.
Robinvale sits in fourth place on the ladder, on equal points with an in-form Imperials, who knocked Wentworth off the top last weekend and will start as favourites to beat Merbein today.
It is why Gill said his team was not looking beyond today’s match in the run home to the finals.
“To be truthful, finals are not what we are talking about at all, because we haven’t secured our spot yet,” Gill said.
“Imps are obviously playing well and keep winning, so anything is possible, and we just need to make sure we look after ourselves rather than rely on other results.”
The last time Robinvale Euston played Mildura, the Demons were decimated with unavailability, and played a large number of junior players, forcing them to forfeit their under-18 game in the morning.
The result was predictably lop-sided, with the Eagles winning on their home ground by 78 points.
But Mildura has returned to near full-strength and hits today’s clash full of confidence on the back of two big wins over South Mildura and Red Cliffs.
“Even when we did play them last time, their method and everything they were doing was good, but they didn’t have that full strength side in,” Gill said of Mildura.
“They play a good brand of footy and now they have a few boys back they will take some stopping.
“Game by game confidence grows and it is dangerous to play teams when they are feeling confident.”
The Demons will also be buoyed by the presence of past players at their home ground today.
Last week, they set the game alight early with a blistering seven goal burst in 15 minutes, and looked more cohesive when going into attack.
But whether they can break down the organised Eagles’ outfit, which is fresh off the bye and have won their past four games, remains the big question.
Gill’s return will give Robinvale a huge boost in the air, and the big man expects to float between half-forward, half-back and the ruck today.
“I will just watch how the game goes really in terms of where I play,” he said. “It will be just good to get a run in and hopefully not make a fool of myself.
“We only have a few out really, so we are getting back to our full strength side. But this will be a big challenge for everyone that we need to be up for.”
