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GVL: Swans have eyes on ending Rochester's season

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Shepparton Swans coach Paul Hawke is hoping his side can cause serious headaches for tomorrow's opponent at Princess Park.

The Swans welcome Rochester in the second weekend of the Goulburn Valley League's round 16, in what is another do-or-die contest for the Tigers.

The Tigers are fighting to become the first team since 2005 to make the GVL finals after starting 0-4.

Hawke hoped his side could finish off the season with a bang, starting tomorrow.

"Although we won't make finals, it doesn't matter where you sit," Hawke said.

"We still want to see improvement and finish the next three games off well.

"It'd be good to cause them (Rochester) a few headaches as they play to stay alive."

Rochester could find its way inside the GVL top six come tomorrow night.

The Tigers sit seventh on the ladder - 14 per cent behind sixth-placed Tatura - with three games remaining in the season.

Rochester defeated Tatura in round 15, a performance that Tigers coach James Flaherty hoped his side replicated tomorrow.

"The boys are up and about for this weekend," he said.

"Our fate is in our own hands really.

"Hopefully we can play the same way we did against Tatura.

"Our disposal going forward was the best it's been and we want to try replicate that again."

With bad weather looming tomorrow, Hawke highlighted the importance of the midfield and winning the ball around the stoppages.

"There is going to be plenty of stoppage work if the weather forecast is correct," he said.

"If that's the case, we've got to work hard in the middle and win the territory battle."

Rochester will look for seasoned campaigners Nathan Marrone and Mitch Bright to gain the ascendancy, while the Swans will turn to youngsters Zac Alderton and Luke Whyte to step up in the wet.

Hawke praised the efforts of his younger brigade, who have all played valuable minutes on the ball this season.

"We've seen plenty of progress this season from our younger players, guys like Alderton, Whyte, (Nathan) Rachele, (Rylen) Damianopoulos and (Tyreece) Collison," he said.

"They've found rotations as inside midfielders and have really responded to the challenge.

"It's been great experience for them this year."

On the injury front, the Tigers will be strengthened with the return of Isaiah Miller from a quadriceps injury.

Meanwhile, Swan James Bennett to be available for selection.