Cobras co-coach Andrew Baggio says his side’s Premier League clash with Quolls on Tuesday is of critical importance.
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His squad is just one point behind Quolls outside the top four with five rounds remaining, and Baggio is desperate to prepare his team for a successful run home by heading into the Christmas break on a good note.
“It’s a really big one for us,” Baggio said.
“It's basically all or nothing for us from here on out.”
Baggio said he expected Quolls to be in season-best form, after several of their players returned from competing at the State Cup earlier this month.
“I’d say they'll have a bit more polish on everything they do now,” he said.
“Generally when guys go away to state competitions they come back to the local comp with a little something extra.
“We’ll have to start well or we’ll get blown off the park.”
Making Cobras’ task tougher will be the absence of Brothers halfback Cameron Breust.
But Baggio said his side had the ability to stay in games regardless of its personnel, with his side losing three games by two points and two games by one point so far this season.
“There have obviously been a lot of close losses, we haven't been far off in most games,” he said.
“It hasn't been the best start but we’ve been getting better every week, especially with the young guys improving all time.”
“We normally would’ve liked to have won more games than we have, but that just shows how close the competition is and how much everyone has improved.
“There's never an easy game any more so you don’t have any of the easy wins heading into the break.”
In the other men’s game, MJR Electrics will face Casuals.
Electrics sit nine points clear on top of the ladder, while third-placed Casuals are just two points behind the Wizards.
In the women’s competition, Don Tuckwell’s Audio will take on AKW Jets while Bar Up Bullbars will do battle with Young Guns.