Thomson coach Paul Lynch says his club is happy to embrace the importance of Saturday’s clash with arch-rival East Geelong at Richmond Crescent.
The Tigers enter the Round 12 meeting with a six-point break on sixth-placed reigning premier Inverleigh and eight points clear of seventh-placed North Geelong.
A win over the ladder-leading Eagles, who are riding an 11-game winning streak, would help Thomson, at worst, maintain those buffers with five rounds remaining.
However, a loss for the Tigers, an Inverleigh win over the battling Bell Post Hill, and a North Geelong victory over Anakie would narrow the gap to two and four points, respectively.
“We do talk about it, and they need to be aware of how important each game is and getting off to a fast start,” Lynch said.
“As I’ve said all this year, every game’s dangerous in the GDFL; you don’t get those soft games anymore.
“Any result is possible. Nothing surprises me when I look at PlayHQ on a Saturday night when I see one of the bottom sides has beaten a top side.
“It’s happening a lot, so it’s great for the competition.”
A win for Thomson would also keep it in the mix for the double chance following Inverleigh’s upset win of third-placed Belmont Lions last week.
“It was a bit of a Catch-22, wasn’t it?,” Lynch mused.
“Inverleigh beating Belmont certainly opened that door up for us again.
“If Belmont won last week, they probably sew up third spot.
“That is definitely back on the cards for us now.”
Thomson will welcome back key forward Lucas Boyd, who has kicked 29 goals for the season, for the clash after he missed the win over Winchelsea.
Premiership player Dan Freeman is in contention to play his first game since Round 6.
However, Leyton Thulborn and Zach Plant will be among those missing.
Lynch believes the Eagles, along with Werribee Centrals, are the two teams to beat.
“East kick the ball very well,” he said. “I think they kick the ball better than anyone else in the competition.
“They’re all elite users, especially (Jack) Beardsell and (Jayden) McLauchlan off half-back.
“They have a very good midfield group, and they seem a very defensive-minded side – you don’t see 36-37 possession against them ever.
“Their forward line is pretty potent with (Zac Smith) and (Caleb) Ezard.
“We think we can handle their forwards. We’re just going to have to win it around the footy and control those boys off half-back.”
Thomson might not have to worry about the ball use of McLauchlan, who looks set to be managed by East Geelong.
The Eagles have made four changes, with Lachie Zimmer (overseas), Ross Symonds (hamstring), and Caleb Lowndes (illness) out from the team that defeated Bell Post Hill last week.
Leopold recruit Jack Dickson is back after being managed last week, Sam King returns for his first game since Round 10, and Luca Mamone will play his first senior game since Round 18 last year.
However, the important inclusion is forward Jake Watson-Serle.
After 13 goals in five games in the reserves, he will make his first senior appearance since last year’s semi-final meeting with Bell Post Hill.
GDFNL: AT SELECTION – ROUND 13 (PART 1)
Second-placed Werribee Centrals have named two debutants among three changes for its meeting with Geelong West at Galvin Park.
Current under-18 Joel Croswell and under-18s graduate Robert Sutherland will wear a Centurions jumper at senior level for the first time against the Giants.
Croswell is a cousin of Centrals star Blake Taylor.
After stress fractures over the summer, Ryan Young will make his first 2 o’clock appearance of 2024.
They replace the unavailable Harley Kilby and injured duo Michael Cillver and Daryl Chesterman, who both have ankle issues.
Bannockburn has been forced into three changes for its Alan Woodman Trophy meeting with Winchelsea at Victoria Park.
The Tigers have lost James Hose and Leigham Elzinga back to the Geelong Falcons, while Reece Conca is unavailable.
Sam Giles, who becomes the third generattion of his family to wear the yellow and black at senior level and under-18s graduate Bailey Rathje will make their debut.
Luke Young has been named for his first senior game in exactly 12 months, having most recently played at the level in Round 12 last year.
The Blues welcome back Harry Nagle and Tom Moloney in place of Oliver Mahncke and Reuben James.
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