In a game many are tipping could be a prelude to another preliminary final or potential big dance encounter, the round 10 clash at Murchison is hotly-anticipated.
The Eagles come in sitting on top of the ladder with a perfect 9-0 record, while Murchison-Toolamba, last year’s grand finalist, has only suffered one defeat in 2023 ― a round two loss to Nagambie.
But the Hoppers have been quietly building in recent weeks and Foley believes they are ready for the task.
“We’re quite confident, we’ve played okay footy for the past few weeks since we lost to Nagambie,” he said.
“Obviously they haven’t lost, we’re well aware they are the benchmark side, but we’re all really looking forward to this weekend. It’s going to be a big test.
“I think the biggest thing this season has been our team-orientated style of footy. We haven’t relied on one or two people to win us games and we’ve been playing well as a team which is what it’s going to take to beat Shepp East.
“We beat them in last year’s prelim, so we feel we match up well against them and it should be a great contest. If we can play to the best of our ability then we should go close to winning.”
Foley highlighted key tall Aidan Lloyd, and his two brothers, as one of his side’s standouts in recent weeks, along with club stalwart and inspirational leader James Milne.
“The Lloyd boys, they’ve been super consistent and Aidan’s had a good start to the year,” he said.
“James Milne’s been playing well in the middle of the ground, Josh Wild he’s another one who’s been leading well. We do get a couple back, we bring in James Lloyd, Leigh Wellington and Fletcher Paul.”
For Shepparton East, it is expected to welcome back star talent Tyson Sidebottom, while on-baller Adem Barolli is still a test to be fit.
Unfortunately, last week’s best-on performer Tom Campbell suffered a hamstring injury at training this week.
“We needed to play a top side going in to play Much (next week), rather than have an easy game where we would have had everything our way, so it was good to fight for it today,” Shepparton East coach Rob Osborne said after last week’s win over Stanhope.
“I rate Murch as one of the best sides in the comp and next week is going to be a real battle.”
The clash at Murchison Recreation Reserve will be broadcast by ONE FM.
