August 18, 2007
From Bendigo Advertiser
METRICON Bendigo Bombers coach Matthew Knights believes the next two games will be an ideal dress rehearsal for his side, should it be successful in snaring a berth in the VFL finals.
The Bombers have two games left in the home and away season, against the Casey Scorpions and Geelong, and are guaranteed a return to the finals if they win both games.
But it won't be easy, starting with the Scorpions at Casey Fields tomorrow.
The Scorpions have won six of their past seven games, and included in that run of good form was a 16-point victory over the Bombers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in round 11.
Geelong has been one of the most consistent sides all season.
The Cats sit second on the ladder with a 12-4 record, and along with Sandringham, are joint flag-favourites at $2.50.
The Bombers sit in ninth position on the ladder with a 7-9 record - half-a-game behind the eighth-placed Port Melbourne.
'‘Every week of late has been a bit like a finals scenario for us where we can't afford to have any slip-ups," Knights said yesterday.
‘‘It's a vitally important game on Sunday against a side that has won six of its past seven games, and then we play Geelong, which is like a runaway train.
‘‘The two sides that we are going to play are two of the form sides of the competition, along with Sandringham.
‘‘So if we manage to make the finals we have certainly earned it and deserved it." Knights admits it's frustrating being in a cut-throat position over the final two weeks of the season just to make the finals.
The Bombers have lost five of their nine games by under three goals this season, and had those results gone its way, Bendigo would have been right in the mix for the top four.
‘‘We were one-five early, which I think was more to do with experience, and then during the middle of the year it was more conversion that cost us," Knights said.
‘‘If we had been able to land a couple of those games along the way, you would be aiming for a top-four spot, so it has been frustrating.
‘‘But full credit to everyone involved at the Bendigo Bombers because when you have a one-five start it's a long way to crawl back.
‘‘We have been really competitive in every game, while there has been a lot of sides in the competition that have been blown away, and that hasn't happened to us.
‘‘Now we just have to take our opportunity, and if we're good enough we will." Tomorrow's game at Casey Fields starts at 2 pm.
The Bombers reserves today play Werribee at Werribee from 11.10 am.
