Turvey Park midfielder Josh Ashcroft believes the Bulldogs can ‘set up their season’ with a win over Leeton-Whitton on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In what coach Truman Carroll describes as a ‘season-defining’ contest, sixth-placed Turvey Park will take on the fifth-placed Crows at Leeton Showground.
Both teams have won three of their first seven games with only Leeton-Whitton’s superior percentage keeping them ahead of the Bulldogs.
The winner of Saturday’s game will turn the halfway mark of the home and away season in fifth.
Ashcroft is aware Saturday’s game could make or break Turvey Park’s season.
“Pretty much. We can set the back end of our season up with a win over there,” Ashcroft said.
At just 22, Ashcroft is already one of Turvey Park’s leaders.
A Bulldogs junior, Ashcroft returned to Maher Oval last year after two seasons with The Rock-Yerong Creek.
He was named most consistent in his first year back at the club and has enjoyed a brilliant start to this season that has him sitting fourth in the Riverina League Player of the Year award, three behind leader, Griffith’s Jordan Iudica.
“I just go out to play team footy,” Ashcroft said.
“I’m happy I suppose but I’m pretty happy with the way the team’s going more so.
“We got a good pre-season under our belt and the club’s headed in the right direction so I’m pretty happy with it.”
Ashcroft has been used all over the park early in the season. He’s most often in the midfield but has also spent time in the ruck, as well as up forward and down back.
“I like to be in the heat of it in the middle but I’ll play anywhere they want me to play. It doesn’t worry me,” he said.
With fifth spot up for grabs, Ashcroft expects a fierce battle from the Crows.
Leeton-Whitton will go into the clash on the back of a win over Coolamon at Kindra Park last Saturday and the Bulldogs have not won at Leeton Showground for many years.
Turvey Park did snap a four-game losing streak last week with a four-point win over Narrandera.
“I think we’ll be thereabouts,” he said.
“They’re good and it’s always hard to beat them over there.
“They’ve got a few good midfielders and a good full-forward that is hard to handle. It’s hard to win over there, it’s always windy and cold, especially this time of year.
“We’re looking forward to it though, we’re up for the challenge.”
Turvey Park expect to welcome back Ryan Pollack, Damian O’Donoghue, Benson Ochieng and Josh Campbell, while they lose Jayden Carroll to a shoulder injury.
Chris Cerato and Dane Campbell remain sidelined.