Host Mansfield has had its usual 18 razed due to player unavailability and after sending shockwaves throughout the league by beating Seymour a fortnight ago building on the win becomes that extra bit harder this round.
However, the Eagles do have a saving grace.
They play Euroa.
Scott Rowan’s Magpies are speculated to be without nine of their usual faces, matching the tally Mansfield coach Chad Owens claimed to be missing.
Talents such as Erish Uthayakumar, Tristan Davies and Ben Giobbi will not suit up for Euroa, meaning there are some sizeable shoes which need filling.
“This weekend we’re very keen to get back out there, but at the same time it is very challenging for us — we are looking at around nine out at the moment with the lockdown in Melbourne,” Rowan said.
“It gives the younger blokes and boys who have been performing well in the twos a chance to show us what they can do. There will be a fair few debuts this weekend.”
Squad depth will be tested on both sides of the equation.
It took a full-faceted, four-quarter effort for Mansfield to smash past Seymour 19.11 (125) 12.8 (80) two weeks ago and tomorrow is set to be a new assignment altogether for Owen’s charges.
But for the Eagles mentor, there are two ways of looking at it; whinge about the unfortunate situation or play on.
He’s choosing the latter.
“We want to play finals and to do that we have to beat the best teams in the league,” he said.
“It’s a good challenge for the boys — beating Seymour, having a week off and having to back it up against Euroa.
“There are about five teams in the race to secure that finals spot, so for us it’s pretty simple; we have to win.”
● Although spectators are not permitted at Saturday’s game, the clash between Mansfield and Euroa will be live-streamed as well as broadcast on 98.5 One FM.
The links can be found at https://vimeo.com/event/1177744 or for the One FM broadcast link head to: https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?c=0-6165-0-0-0&sID=350192.
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