The rematch of last season’s Allan Matheson Shield grand final is the headline contest in a significant round of Goulburn Valley Playing Area division one action.
There are crucial clashes everywhere you look on Saturday, but the biggest of all will be played up the highway at Tallygaroopna Bowls Club.
“We are looking forward to the challenge this weekend. We know we are up against it,” Ryan said.
“They are the benchmark team in the comp. We know we have been close before which we will take some confidence from. We can’t draw too much on it (the grand final), both sides have different line-ups but we have also learnt from the experience.
“I think it should be a close match on Saturday.”
Ryan and his charges enter this weekend top of the ladder and undefeated from the opening two rounds.
The Broccolis breezed past East Shepparton in round one, which was followed by an emphatic 58-shot thrashing of Stanhope.
But the Golfers have also enjoyed a carefree start to their premiership defence.
Two wins in the bank sees them sit third on the ladder.
Ryan highlighted that his side would get a better understanding of where they sat come Saturday evening.
“Everyone is feeling really positive. We had a great win over the weekend,” he said.
“I feel like we are finally finding our feet after the slow pre-season where we could hardly practice.
“But we’ll find out where we are really at this weekend.”
Tallygaroopna enters the cut-throat contest with one glaring omission.
Star skip Mitch Sidebottom is unavailable for selection.
His vacancy allows for Joey Lia to step up into the skip role — a position he flourished in on numerous occasions last summer.
Ryan’s charges also have two other changes, with Daniel Brophy and Derek Anderson coming in for their debut appearances in green at the top level.
Ryan’s lead Guy Madigan misses this weekend.
“Mitch is obviously a big loss, he’s one of our top-four bowlers at the club,” Ryan said.
“But we have plenty of depth to help cover him. Joey steps up to skip; he’s done it before and he won a rink last year by about 30 shots.
“Then we have Daniel and Derek step up into their first division one game at the club. Daniel is getting back into bowls after some time off and he’s been bowling well, while Derek came across from Murchison and he’s got plenty of talent.”
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