WITH a top three finish locked away Koroit coach Chris McLaren can shift his side's focus towards preparing for a tilt at a sixth straight premiership.
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The Saints' 16.7 (103) to 5.9 (39) victory over Cobden pushed it one step closer to securing second spot ahead of clashes against Port Fairy and Terang Mortlake.
McLaren will focus on ensuring his side is heading into the finals with a healthy list and a good run of form.
"We are two wins and a heap of percentage in the top three so a lot would have to go really wrong to lose that spot," he said.
"At the start of year the goal was to finish as high as we can and we put a line through top spot after the loss to North (last week).
"But to take top three we are happy with that. It's nice for us to have that locked away and be able to focus in on trying to be healthy and as good as we can for the last couple of games."
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Jarrod Korewha (cut knee), Tim McPherson (back), Tim Martin (cut finger) and Damien O'Connor (suspension) are all expected to return next week.
Daniel Roache (five goals) and Clem Nagorcka (two goals) have also staked their claims for promotion in the reserves and under 18s.
Cobden coach Adam Courtney said his side had a good opportunity to collect two more wins in matches against Terang Mortlake and Camperdown.
"We have made a lot of improvements in the last six weeks and it's important to finish the last two rounds positively," he said.
"We have a good chance to win both games so we have to make sure what we have been working on and what we are getting better at - it's important we do that."
Ruckman Damon Symes rolled his ankle early in the encounter but should be fit to play the Bloods.
Courtney said his side, which currently sits in eighth spot, has one focus over the final rounds of its year.
"We will continue to really work on our defensive accountability as that is one thing that fluctuates often," he said.
The first-year Bomber is impressed with how his side was progressively adapting to the style of play he wants the club to be renowned for.
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Sean Hardeman
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
I'm a sports journalist for the Warrnambool Standard who covers a number of different sports across the south-west of Victoria. I enjoy watching cycling, surfing, football, soccer and Formula 1.
