With the finals the talk of the competition at the moment, Goondiwindi face a mammoth task of going head to head with the table topping Redback's at the Hawks nest.
Warwick are favourites for the minor premiership but if they are to secure the second chance come finals, this is a must win game.
With two previous encounters this season, both clubs will be wary of the task ahead.
Playing the Hawks at Riddles Oval is never an easy assignment and it won't get any easier as Goondiwindi AFC welcome back, players of past. Celebrations will no doubt go well into the night but the Hawks will be keen to make sure they are not just celebrations of returning old Hawks but celebrating a victory over the Redback's.
The last meeting between these two Southern Downs clubs were back to back encounters, in rounds 5 and 6, with Warwick taking home the premiership points each time.
Round 5 saw the Redback's victorious by 7 points at home in Warwick, as Kris Millard booted 9 goals in a best on ground performance. The following week both clubs played a promotional game for premiership points in Pittsworth where an all-round team performance saw the Reddies run out 38-points winners.
The last time these two clubs met at Riddles Oval however it was a different story.
Back in Round 11, 2013, Warwick took a slender 2-point lead into the first break but this was the last time the Redback's would have the lead in this match. Goondiwindi piled on 21-goals to 7, in the final three quarters of the game to finish as 86-point victors.
David O'Toole led from the front, booting a career best individual haul of 13-goals.
Fast-forward over 12 months and both sides are sitting differently. Warwick is a game and half clear on top of the table and Goondiwindi find themselves in a season defining game at home. With the Hawks 6-points outside the top 4, this is a game the Hawkies must win. If they lose they can still make finals but they would have to leave their fate in the hands other results.
With games against South Toowoomba, Highfields and Toowoomba, this is a game they mustn't drop.
Goondiwindi player/coach Brenton Jardine will play a pivotal role in his side’s outcome, as will South Queensland representative David O'Toole and prolific on-baller Jeremy Leahy. For the Redback's Brendan Iles will be a key as will club Captain Alex Cutmore and midfielder Adam Stevenson.
One thing is guaranteed however, the big crowd will get one beauty of a game.
In the weekends other Division 1 clashes, South Toowoomba host Lockyer Valley at Heritage Oval with the Bombers looking to keep the breathing space between them and the 5th placed Hawks.
While over at Rockville Oval both Toowoomba and Highfields will be looking to get off their 5-game losing streaks and back onto the winners list in their Saturday afternoon clash .
For a full match schedule break down, click here.
Last Modified on 29/07/2014 11:26