With the loss of two rounds, due to lockdown number five in Victoria, the league's governing body has decided to remove rounds 17 and 18 from the fixture, as well as Tocumwal's return bout with Berrigan, leaving two weeks of action before the finals series, which at this stage have been unaffected.
The changes mean every team plays one another once, but the decision to recommence the season was made at a time when Melburnians can't enter NSW and NSW players can't go out of the bubble when they enter Victoria, meaning NSW clubs who rely on players living in Melbourne will be disadvantaged and Victorian clubs will not have their Melbourne players if they are scheduled for clashes north of the border.
This weekend's match-ups will be the same as the round that was supposed to be played on July 17, meaning four of the top six face each other in what will be round 15 of the campaign.
Jerilderie (sixth), which was originally set to play Tungamah (third) at the Bears’ home turf, will now play them at Berrigan, due to the Victorian Government excluding the Murrumbidgee Shire area from the border bubble.
That ruling means next week's match against Picola United will also be played in a border bubble town, with details still being sorted out.
Demons coach Chris Marshall said before the lockdown was announced two weeks ago that his group was looking forward to testing itself against the Bears.
“We're looking forward to the challenge to be honest,” Marshall said.
“We've had a couple of good wins lately, but we have been eyeing this game off for a while now and we know it will be a crucial game.
“We know they are a good side and are going to be a top-four side and it will be a great challenge for our group.”
Marshall praised his leaders for their seasons.
“Our leaders, Sam Sleigh, our captain, and our vice-captains Jye Holcombe and Grant Patrick Smith, leadership over the last few weeks has been exceptional,” he said.
Another change to the fixture will have Deniliquin Rovers and Mathoura play at the Timbercutters’ home ground rather than at Rovers territory, as they celebrate indigenous culture with their one-off Indigenous ggame.
The rest of the round is unchanged as Waaia (second) and Berrigan (fifth) will play each other at Waaia, Katunga will be expected to beat Tocumwal when it travels to Bloods territory, Blighty will head to Picola United, Rennie hosts Katandra and Yarroweyah visits to Strathmerton.
Katamatite has the bye.
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