Rokewood Corindhap have enjoyed the perfect start to the Central Highlands Football League season, however, face its toughest test so far this weekend when it hosts reigning premiers Waubra.
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Fresh off a 73-point belting of Carngham Linton and tough wins over Learmonth and Daylesford in the previous two weeks, the Hoppers enter Saturday's clash confident they can match it with the competitions' best.
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"Going up against the reigning premiers, we're really excited to try turn the tables in both grades, seniors and reserves," co-coach Brad Macgowan told The Courier.
"We've had a pretty good rivalry with them over the last couple of years, we've been close (to beating them), so we're hoping to knock them off this time."
It was an even team display against the Saints at the weekend, four players kicking multiple goals and eight individuals snagging a major.
It's this consistent team effort that has been a focus for Rokewood according to Macgowan, as it looks to climb into the finals action for the first time since entering the CHFL in 2011.
The 3-0 start is the second year in a row the Hoppers have been undefeated through the first three rounds.
They managed to only win three more games in 2019 after the positive start, something Macgowan said the side is hungry to better in 2021.
"We're aware that the teams that we've beaten so far were around us near the bottom third of the ladder last season," he said.
"We know the teams we play over the next three to four weeks are teams that have been in that middle to upper third. If we want to play finals we've got start competing and even beating these sides."
Following the Waubra clash the fixture doesn't get any easier for Rokewood.
Skipton, Bungaree, Springbank, Newlyn, Buninyong, Gordon and Dunnstown await in the next two months.
That's a long way down the track, however, five wins from those eight, potentially six, would set up the Hoppers' season.
"Someone like Waubra, they've been a top team so obviously great opportunity to play them," Macgowan said.
"Then after that you've got Skipton, Bungaree, realistically if we want to play finals, they're looking to play finals just like us, so they're the season defining games.
"It gives us the opportunity to see where we're at."
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