The Eastern Ranges will start their run of four home games at Box Hill City Oval this weekend when they take on the Gippsland Power.
Following a disappointing loss to the Bendigo Pioneers last weekend, a fired up Ranges outfit is expected on Saturday. After ending round four with a 3-1 win-loss record, which has now slipped to 3-3, Eastern will be desperate to get their season back on track with a win.
The Power who are yet to win a game in season 2016 will gain some confidence from the fact that the Pioneers were able to cause a upset against their opponent the previous weekend. However, Eastern will also take confidence from the fact that since Gippsland’s round 1 defeat by 12 points to Dandenong, they have not been within 33 points of any of their opponents since.
In the third term last weekend Eastern was blown out of the contest thanks to a dominant display both in the midfield and up forward by the Pioneers. This week the boys will be looking to apply more midfield pressure to ensure they do not let this happen a second time.
Currently Gippsland sits second last on the ladder in 15th position, only ahead of the Tassie Mariners who have played just two games. Eastern managed to hold their 6th position on the ladder following their loss, but are sitting perilously close to sliding out of the top eight.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jaidyn Stephenson
Stephenson made a more than promising return from a foot injury last week, and it will be interesting to see if he can back up his four goals and seventeen disposals against the Pioneers.
Last Modified on 13/05/2016 10:15