A win for the Rhinos in what is the final one-day clash of the season, would see the fifth place Purples knocked out of finals contention.
Despite his side already qualifying for finals and being the enviable position of being four games clear of Nathalia, Rhinos skipper Brad Todd said a win is just as crucial for his side.
‘‘We have to keep winning. If Cobram have a bad day and drop a game, we could be a chance to claim top spot,’’ he said.
‘‘But in saying that if we drop a game it will bring us back to the pack and then we will have a fight to hold onto second spot.
‘‘We must keep winning in the second half of the year.’’
The Rhinos met the Purples back in round six last year, recording an emphatic 51 run win.
In that game it was Todd (86) and Andrew Hogan (76 not out) that led Deni to a massive score of 6/221.
With the ball in hand, it was Ben Irwin who starred, taking 5/22 off eight overs.
Unfortunately for Deni, Irwin will miss tomorrow’s clash. They will however bring in South African import Mandus Venter for his Premier Grade debut with the club.
Venter made an immediate impact in Division One last week, finishing with figures of 2/8 off eight overs in a dominant Rhinos win against Katamatite.
Todd said while Venter will be a handy inclusion, he is not going to put too much pressure on the new recruit.
‘‘He (Venter) will still be finding his feet as he hasn’t played a lot of cricket this past month,’’ he said.
‘‘He will also have to get used to the wicket here in Deni so we aren’t expecting too much from him this first few weeks.
‘‘The guys in Division One said he bowled with some good pace, so it will be good to see him in action this Saturday.
‘‘Nathalia have a couple of good batsmen so it will be a good tussle between them.
‘‘They are always competitive no matter who is in their side, but with the two Quinns (Ash and Luke) as well as Liam Evans and Tom Nihill playing some games this year on and off it is hard to gauge who will play on the weekend.
‘‘But if most play it will be a good contest.’’
The Rhinos’ clash against Nathalia will be played at Memorial Park Oval 3 from 12.30pm tomorrow.
Also in action at Memorial Park tomorrow will be the Rhinos’ Division One side, when the ladder leader hosts cellar dweller Nathalia. Their game will start at 1pm on Oval 1.
The Division Two Rhinos will have a tough road trip when they travel to take on ladder leader Jerilderie.
It will be a crucial game for the fifth placed Deni side, with a win potentially seeing them move into the top four.
The clash between the Demons and Rhinos will be played at Monash Park, Jerilderie at 1pm.
The Under 14s Rhinos will play their first game of the year when they host Cobram at 8.30am tomorrow morning on Memorial Park Oval 1.
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