IT'S the match-up that has toyed with Collingullie-Glenfield Park defender Jemima Norbury. The one she's "least looked forward to, but the most at the same time."
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But work bragging rights will go on the line when she clashes with former teammate Katie Caller in the Riverina League top-of-the-table clash against Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes on Saturday.
Goal-shooter Caller, 18, and Norbury, 29, both work at Kooringal Pharmacy and will likely line up against each other at some point in the battle of the unbeaten sides at Crossroads.
But only one will be able to dish out a bit of their own medicine to the other after Caller departed the Demons to join the Goannas this season.
"She (Caller) isn't at work this week, but there was plenty of banter in the lead-up to the season," Norbury said.
"Katie's very quiet, so I think the banter comes more from me than her.
"It's probably the match-up I've been least looking forward to, but the most at the same time.
"It's hard coming up against a friend. You try and rein that mongrel in but I think I'm going to need all the mongrel I can get to beat her, to be honest."
So, no trash talk on the court?
"I don't think it would work, she's a very cool cucumber," Norbury laughed.
The emergency of Flynn Hogg and Hannah Finemore in Collingullie's attacking end helped prompt Caller to make the switch.
Caller is currently enjoying a gap year before she heads to Melbourne next year to study law and criminology.
"It's definitely a match I knew would be challenging, but one I'm looking forward to," she said.
"I obviously know a lot of the Gullie girls, I know how they play after being there a couple of years."
Collingullie has a perfect seven wins from seven games, with MCU's only hiccup a draw against Ganmain-Grong Grong Matong.
Collingullie coach and goalkeeper Brigetta Hart spent last year marking Caller at training and knows firsthand she'll be tough to shut down.
"Our attack end's been really consistent but they've also got a great attack, especially with the height of (MCUE goal attack) Sophie Fawns and the speed of Mikaela (Cole, centre courter)," Hart said.
"If we can shut down their ball and their connection to those tall shooters, we're in with a shot.
"We spent all last year on each other at training, it will be nice to play against her again.
"It is really hard especially because we're quite close off the court, as she is with all the Gullie girls."
Saturday's match begins at 1.30pm.
