The fact that the Hoppers are seventh on the ladder, with two wins, and Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong another four points behind, is unlikely to diminish the intensity of the occasion.

“There’s a buzz during the week, it doesn’t matter where we are on the ladder,” Hard said. “This year, we’re both in positions we don’t want to be in which will probably make it a more hotly-contested game than any other year.”

Coolamon are only four points outside the five but Hard said they’ve lacked the consistency to suggest they deserve to think about finals. 

Failing to make the most of their opportunities against Leeton-Whitton last week saw another game get away. 

“We’re not having the losses margin-wise of last year but we’re not getting the wins,” Hard said. “So there’s improvement but there’s still frustration about a few that have got through our grasp.”